Gift of Faith
Have you ever wondered why your problems never seem to go away? Have you ever asked yourself, or been told, "It's because you lack faith." After all, I'm sure you have heard the scripture, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move..."(Matt. 17:20) So, what happens when the mountain doesn't seem to move? You've prayed and pleaded and prayed some more for God to move your problem, to intervene in your circumstance...and still nothing's happening.
Don't be discouraged. It's not that you lack faith. Perhaps, the Lord is actually increasing your faith as He takes you through this dark place. I have included in this post a reflection that I wrote in reference to this very point. I had a problem. I had faith, and praise the Lord, He was going to answer my prayer! Well, after years of not having Him answer the prayer the way I would have liked, I came to a realization of His purpose in the suffering. Please, read the following and ask the Lord to show you how you can apply its truth to your life.
"The Lord has chosen to develop in me, even more so, the gift of faith. Many years ago, at the beginning stages of my health problems, I felt strongly and prophesied boldly that I would be healed, by the power of the name of Jesus. I fearlessly professed how by His stripes, I was healed, and at the name of Jesus, every knee, every ailment and disease, must bow at His feet and that I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus, and so on. However, the illnesses continued, the symptoms worsened, yet I drew closer in relationship with the Father. He has taught me that healing is not evidence of faith. In fact, sometimes it requires more faith to rest in the difficult circumstances than to be delivered from them. I am being thrust into the furnace of affliction once more, and I am beginning to understand that even though the Lord may leave this thorn, I can still trust that His purposes for my life will be fulfilled despite the malady. Verses such as, “No weapon formed against (me) shall prosper…” (Isa. 54:17) take on new meaning. Weapons may form and they may last, but they will not prosper in hindering the promises of God from coming to fruition in my life. As He walks me through this valley, I am learning new depths of fearing no evil. As He burns His nature into my spirit through suffering, His light will begin to radiate even greater in the other gifts that He has entrusted to me. Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."
It's not that you don't have faith if you are still facing your dilemma. Rejoice and be glad, dear one! God has not forgotten you! In fact, He is far closer to you than He could have been had He removed your crisis. For the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and He will not forsake the afflicted ones. (ref. Isa. 57:15, 41:17)Trust, lean on, and rely on your Shepherd. (Prov. 3:5) Learn the kindness and gentleness of His ways as He walks you through the valley of the shadow. (ref. Matt. 11:29, Ps. 23:4)
3 comments:
Jenness, I am honored to be the first to comment on your blog!! What beautiful words! Knowing your pain and story makes the hope that you share all the more richer. The depths you have gone in the comforts of God's love is amazing. You are letting your light shine before others. I pray the Lord will continue to encourage you as you put your thoughts down. I pray others will be drawn to the streams of living water that pours out of your heart. You are miracle, your countenance, your demanor your outlook. The world that knows Christ's story and yet rejects it (the west) will continue to ask for signs as proof, and none will be given except the 'sign of jonah.' For as Jonah was three days in the belly of a whale so Christ was buried three days in the grave and on the third rose again. Now that same power that rose Christ from the dead is in you and that is the light that shines before others. This is the sign of Christ and his love to the world. As the academy, the thinkers and culture gods of the West scoff at story of Christ and point to lack of 'signs and wonders' continue letting Christ shine through you. You are the salt of the earth!
Love you sis
bro
"Healing is not evidence of faith. In fact, sometimes it requires more faith to rest in the difficult circumstances than to be delivered from them."
That's a good thought, Jenness.
What difficult circumstances have you learned to rest in?
Jeness, I'm so proud to see you taking such positive action from such a difficult time. I have followed your struggles through your dad---who has suffered as well because he loves you so much--but know many pray for your health and full recovery. It is however a great comfort to know that the lord has provided you with what you need to go through this. God Bless.
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