Have you faced a situation that feels utterly hopeless? I’m facing something that seems impossible now. It’s unfair, even hurtful, and I don’t see a possibility for change. As I’ve leaned into it and listened to its narrative, it caused pain and discouragement. In essence, I’ve become its victim. The longer we struggle with something, pondered it, arranged our lives around it, and the more hurt we have from it, the harder it is to have faith in it changing. Just because I became, its victim doesn’t mean I need to stay its victim. Nothing will change unless I decide to change something. I’ve been through worse and more desperate spots but have prayed, and God came through. Although my circumstances were have changed, God hasn’t changed.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
A Speck And Doubt
What do we do when it looms, taunts, and baits us to feel sorry for ourselves? I can’t see the answer to my prayer, not from any stretch or angle. Some things are invisible to the natural eyes and mind. The eyes of faith can see what’s hidden in the natural realm, or get an inkling of hope in what we can’t see. As Christians, we have an edge. We don’t have to let the physical realm inform our spiritual realm; God gives us tools and tricks to make the spiritual realm influence the physical realm. I’ll be honest, I used to think that 2 Corinthians 5:7 seemed pompous, but today I see it differently. God doesn’t expect us to move mountains. All we need is a single grain’s worth of faith, the slightest bit of doubt in our doubts, and a word of scripture in which to cling.
…for we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7
What Next?
God likens having faith to a seed, but seeds only represent future potential. When we plant a seed, we don’t see everything that happens within the depth of the soil. We trust the process of planting and care for the soil, and it’s the same with faith. One day, the sprout bursts through the ground, reaching for the sun. We must protect and water the seed in its vulnerable state. We weed to give it space to grow and not compete for nutrients. The weeds are victimizing thoughts; the word of God is food and protection. Les Brown said to, “Feed your faith and starve your doubts.” When that situation tries to form its narrative in my life, I focus on God’s promises, the great things that he has done before, and this feeds my faith and starves my doubts.
So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17
Tough Enough
I love that Jesus uses the example of a mustard seed. This little thing is only around .05 inch, but it can grow from 4 to sometimes 30 feet high. These buggers are tough. They grow and flourish in rugged conditions without the benefit of good soil, and it doesn’t require a lot of attention like water or fertilizer. What does that tell us about planting our mustard seed of faith? The ground, meaning our hearts, our thoughts and emotions don’t have to be entirely healthy for our faith to work. We don’t need to be perfect for God to answer our prayers. Jesus’ sacrifice has filled that gap for us. I cling to my tough seed; my scripture for this situation is Luke 1:37. A speck of faith is tough enough. Feed faith, starve the doubts, God will take care of the rest.
For nothing will be impossible with God.
Luke 1:37
A Mustard Seed And Google
If you aren’t struggling with something now, you will, it’s a fact of life. Every time the challenge comes to mind, stop it in its tracts with scripture and a pinch of hope. God put promises throughout his word to help us tackle a variety of subjects. You don’t have to be perfect or be a priest, pastor, prophet, or person of power; you only need a mustard seed and Google. Faith comes from hearing the word of God and needs to find scriptures that promise our answer. Google your subject, followed by the word “Scripture.” You will find a plethora of scriptures that are in God’s will. Pick one, write it down, think on it, speak it, sing it whatever you like, it will help clear the weeds of doubt. Lift up your cares to him and hope, knowing that the tiniest amount will be a massive faith plant.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Prayer
Lord, I come before you with that thing at the front of my heart and mind. It’s so heavy that I can’t lift it, but you know what it is, you know exactly what it will take for me to be free. You have the power to change things anything, nothing is impossible with you. I choose to doubt my doubts at this very moment. Thank you for the mustard seed of faith. I will feed it and protect it, and you will do the rest. Thank you for your answers, direction, and the tools to do what I can do. You can do what I can’t. Thank you for watching over your word to make it come to pass. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”
Jeremiah 1:12
