Getting married and having children are two areas of my life that have revealed some of the biggest weaknesses of my faith. I have always believed that God is who he says he is. I have always believed that God is bigger than anything in life. I have always believed that God is loving, kind, generous, just, mighty, sovereign and all-knowing. The problem hasn’t been my belief in God. My problem has been putting it into action and actually trusting God, actually walking by faith.
“Prove it.” It’s a saying we have around here, but it’s typically a joke. When someone makes a statement that we’d like to see them follow through with, whether outlandish or mundane, we say those two words to make light of the situation and usually to attempt to bring about humor. However, the reality is that sometimes that phrase “prove it” is actually said because we really want to see results. Words spoken or words on a paper typically don’t mean anything to us unless we see it proven. Spouses can write a love note about how much they care for you, but if you don’t see the proof (at least how you’d like to see it played out), it’s hard to trust them. A boss can fluff your pillow and talk a big game about how much you mean to the business, but if you are treated poorly by the company you will have a hard time trusting them. A child can tell you they have learned their lesson, but if it’s their fifth offense, it’s really hard not to wait for it to happen again. Trusting is hard when you don’t see the proof.
The problem with my lack of faith, my lack of trust in God, is that I have been convinced for quite some time that it was merely a lack of trust in imperfect humans, rather than a lack of trust in God. I thought things like, “I trust you God, and how powerful you are, but their actions don’t give me much hope.” I would underestimate the possible positive outcome of a situation because I was measuring the “success” on how much trust I had in that person. The problem with that method is we see all over scripture that the “success” of any situation isn’t based upon the human, but upon the only God in heaven and his desires. Sadly, I think we’re missing out on a lot of miracles and blessings because we don’t move forward when God leads us to because we’re stuck living in the doubt caused by mere mortals.
This is why I love the Bible. God gave us his word, and actually lived a life showing us who he truly was, proving he is worth trusting. Our faith isn’t based upon a bunch of words written, but on a bunch of proven written words! He fulfilled every prophecy about him. He fulfilled the promises and claims he made while living on earth. Not only that, but he actually defeated death by dying and coming back to life! He proved his divinity, his love for us, and the validity of scripture. This is why we can hold fast to his word and trust that he is the same God today that he was during the days when the Bible was written.
The Bible is our sword. It’s our way to combat lies we believe from the enemy himself. Let’s start battling lies now!
Feeling like all of your troubles in life mean nothing and were only setbacks in life?
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
— James 1:2–4
Feeling like your sin has overtaken you and there is no way out?
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
— 1 Corinthians 10:13
Wondering if God will finish the good work he began in you or someone else?
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
Fearful of how God views your lack of trust in him?
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
— 2 Peter 3:9
Having trouble taking leaps of faith?
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
— Joshua 1:9
Lacking peace about life after death?
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
— John 3:16
Fearful you’re too far gone for God to redeem you, to save you?
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.
— Ephesians 2:4–5
There are so many aspects to trusting God. We are commanded to walk in step with the Spirit, meaning that we have a choice to make every step that we take a step of obedience. But before the yearly, monthly, daily and moment-to-moment trust in him that produces obedience, we must ultimately trust him with our salvation. Romans 10:9–10 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” This is where the trusting begins. Trust him today with your eternal destination. Trust him today with the forgiveness he provides. Trust him today with all of your life. Call unto him now, believing that he can and will save you. Because if there is anyone who has proven he can be trusted, it’s God himself.