One of the most difficult moments to exercise faith in God is when we go through hardships. Many a time, when we experience pain and suffering we worry how these situations find their way into our lives, forgetting that God had told us that hardships must surely come, but with Faith we shall overcome.
And so, if you’re going through a difficult phase in your life, relationship, marriage, career or business right now, this message is for you. Learn useful tips on how to exercise your faith and get positive results. Continue reading slowly…
Cf. Luke 12:32-48
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. ‘Sell your possessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
‘See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready.
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
1. Child of God, if you’re going through intense trials like financial difficulties, unemployment, debts, etc and you’re trusting God for a change in your situation, you will come to discover there are levels of faith! You will come to understand there’s a difference between Faith as believing in God and what is revealed about God, and Faith as Trusting God and depending totally on His promises even in unfavourable conditions. It is only this second level of faith (Trust and total dependence on God) that can pull you through thick and thin moments!
2. How can you develop this kind of faith? Having faith in God is one thing but Trusting God is another. You could have faith in God but many times your heart skips with questions of doubts and fears: what if this or that happens, how will I cope? How will I survive? In the letter to the Hebrews 11:1, we see a definition of faith as “assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. But like the man requesting the healing of his son, sometimes our faith begs for help: “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mk 9:24). You have faith but not enough to spark that change or miracle you desire. Here’s how to develop this level of faith:
a. Focus your mind on God and the blessings of God in your life.
We normally do the contrary when we are troubled: we focus on the problems or the wrong things and allow our thoughts to linger on the “what ifs”, and thereby cripple our ability to trust God during hard times. The devil ceases this opportunity and make us forget “what God has said” about our situations. The evil one knows he is defeated by two weapons: the blood of Jesus and the Words of our Testimony (cf. Rev 12:10-11), so he projects fears in order to block your mind from remembering these. Hence, like Peter, we sink out of fear as ‘storms’ come our way! Say “NO” to object of worries and recall God’s blessings in your life. God’s blessings, like the word of God, never expires! They are always new!
b. Release all your fears to God and enjoy His replenishing promises.
Fear is bound to come when you’re not sure of how to survive the next hour or how things will turn out the next day. The situation may become tougher, the tempter and deceiver- the devil may cease such opportunities to make you despair or contemplate suicide, but remember the word of God and hold on tenaciously to it:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT IS TRUE, and HONORABLE, and RIGHT, and PURE, and LOVELY, and ADMIRABLE. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”(Philippians 4:6-9)
c. Confess and profess good things with the Word of God.
Many tend to write down bad moments of their lives in order to keep memories but seldom do so in good times. Focusing your attention on things that produce negative energy make those negative things come alive! This is possible because God has endowed us with the ability to make “our words become flesh”. (Cf. John 1:12-14) Like the prophet Habakkuk (cf. Hab 2:1-4), write down the good things and inspiration you receive daily, and declare the Word of God over your life, and wait for it’s manifestation.
TASK
Take a deep breath now, release all your worries and surrender all to Jesus saying:
Jesus my Lord, you have called me, not only to believe in you but to trust you when my ability fails me, help me to have a childlike faith: to totally depend on you. Open my mind to remember your promises and my mouth to pray. Amen.
Really helpful and uplifting, the grace of God Almighty is sufficient for me.
Thank you.
Amen. And may the grace of God lead you always. thank you sir for your contribution.
Lord, help me lest I sink