I had no problem ‘believing in God’. He’d been part of my life for years. The bigger question was did I ‘trust’ him in faith, for the right answers, now that I’m alone?
DOES GOD REALLY ANSWER PRAYERS?
My own issues reminded me of a conversation between two ladies a few years back, when the first lady advised the second to pray about her questions and problems. The second looked at her friend in disbelief and said, “Look where I am now! Do you really believe God answers prayers?” To which her friend said, “It’s the best way to ask!”
TRUSTING WHAT WHO CAN'T SEE
Faith is no small matter. We are being asked to trust Someone we cannot see. This is hard especially when our lives and world are falling apart. For an unbeliever, the idea that some unknown entity could hear a request and grant it, seems like a fantasy. In the highest peak of their agony, they must not only deal with whatever has befallen them, but must admit there is someone to pray to!
This is quite a step for those who have been hurt or not brought up in the church where prayer is said, or in a situation where prayer was done for show, like the Pharisees of the Bible were guilty.
A prayer is just words when they’re spoken without believing someone is listening. Yet it is in times of crisis many who claim they don’t believe in any God at all, will call out to Him.
DURING HARD SEASONS
Even for a believer, when times are bad and faith isn’t strong, prayer, in faith, seems cloudy. We find ourselves in situations where pain is so great, it would seem no one can help— like someone dealing with physical abuse, or parents facing their rebellious teenagers involved with substance abuse, or even a grieving widow struggling to make sense of her new normal.
During dark or hard seasons, when nothing seems to bring any comfort, our spirit grows weary and even our faith can begin to falter. Guilt among other emotions, make us feel responsible for the circumstances.
GOD REMAINS CLOSE
At these most desolate moments in our lives, God is closest and “carries” us rather than just “holding our hand.” He has never left our side. Rather it is we, who through circumstances, have a weak and wavering faith.
TRUSTING GOD THROUGH THE JOURNEY
Imagine Noah who was asked to build an ark, yet had never seen rain; or Abraham being told to go—-but given no specific destination; or Sarah who was told she’d have a child at a very old age. All of these Biblical heroes believed…. but the had to trust that God would help ‘get them there!’
None of them simply believed once and never struggled again. Their faith was tested over and over. It wasn’t easy and sometimes it didn’t seem to make any sense! They each encountered doubts and struggles and even failures. Each step on their journey, required trusting God all over again!
FAITH BEGINS WITH BELIEVING
I’ve heard it said that ‘faith begins with believing— but it doesn’t end there.’ It isn’t just believing God exists, ---yet we must believe, because that is what God expects. His faithfulness is part of his character. But beyond our belief, is actually acting on it.
When we earnestly call out to Him and believe that he hears our hearts and understands our needs, He will see us through. It may not be immediate, because our timeline is not necessarily God’s. There will be struggles, and likely more questions!
FAITH, BELIEVING--AND TRUST
But we have assurance in Scripture, that God rewards those who earnestly seek him. He will answer our prayer, even if it isn’t how we expected. By faith we can rest in knowing that his answer will come--and be, ---just what we needed, when we needed it.
Our part is to believe-- and then act on that belief. The steps we take. reveal that we believe God will answer our request in the very best way, because His answers are always shaped by His wisdom, not simply by our wishes. That’s faith taking the next step!
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