There are times in life where our faith – our trust and believing can take a serious hit and leave us floundering and wondering where to go next.
We pray, speak, believe and things either don’t change as we expected or they get worse, and to be quite honest it can really hurt! We can be left feeling confused and let down as our faith takes a hit!
From experience I have had my fair share of “faith hits”. From battling sickness as a child and teenager, losing two babies, financial loss and hardship, struggling with sickness with our children, my husband and my extended family, and experiencing loss and death through disease and accident. Even when stepping out in ministry and trusting we were hearing from God, even then things haven’t always gone smoothly or to plan. There has been failure, loss, disappointments, loneliness, financial lack, sickness, loss of friendships, and an incessant worry that we have failed God and ourselves in some way. My faith and trust in God’s goodness and care for me has been challenged and attacked more times than I would care to count.
However just because we get hit and our faith often can take a beating does not mean we are out for the count! Though we may struggle and even stumble God promises He will not let us fall. When we pray and don’t see the answers we expect does not mean He has not heard from heaven; though we may struggle with sickness, lack or loss does not mean that God no longer loves and cares for us.
The bible says to expect an immediate answer, but it also says to pray without ceasing, to give thanks regardless of what we can see, and to keep walking because our faith and relationship with God is like running a long distance race; it is not a short sprint, or an easy jog, but a race of endurance and steadfastness. (1 Corinthians 9:24)
The arrival of a Saviour for the world was spoken about for hundreds and hundreds of years, and then finally Jesus came. Over two thousands years ago He returned to heaven and said he would come again…and so now we wait in expectation. In waiting for Jesus as the Messiah I am sure those believing for his arrival faiths took a hit from time to time. As we wait now for answers and for God to move in our midst we too can feel our faith being challenged. But that’s okay as long as we refuse to let go, and just keep on doing the things we know to do.
While we have to wait I’ve found it helpful to take a leaf out of nature’s book and to not undo our prayers by digging them up when we get impatient by speaking negative words. Instead just as the rain waters the seeds in the earth we can water the requests and desires we have brought to God in prayer by praising Him, staying committed to reading and speaking His Word, being around people who encourage us in our believing and having people in our life who will remain with us if or when our faith takes a hit.
For, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the one who holds his hand.” (Psalm 37:24)
Today whatever you are facing or believing and trusting God to do in your life I encourage you to keep holding on. That faith hit doesn’t have to take you out! Instead determine to grab hold of Jesus with everything you’ve got, look Him in the eye and choose to hold onto His promises instead of your disappointment. Then take a breathe knowing you are not alone and get back out there!
He is faithful to fulfil that which He has promised and to complete that which He has started in you. He is alert and active watching over His word to perform it. He does love us more than we could possibly fathom and is working behind the scenes to bring every good thing to pass in our lives.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Prayer: Lord thankyou that even when my faith takes a hit that you are there to help me get back up again and to stand strong. Jesus please strengthen me with your Word and presence today so that I can keep on running my race with you. In Jesus name Amen.