How would you describe faith? What exactly is it? Is it real and does it have real value? What kind of things do you have faith in?
AI states that “Faith is the belief and trust in a person, thing, or concept, especially when there is no proof.” That’s a good definition.
The Apostle Paul said that “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.” (Hebrews 11:1 NCV)
Where are you needing faith right now?
I have a good friend with ALS. I can’t get him off my mind. I have faith that God can heal this incurable disease. Yes, it would be a miracle and he needs the miracle. Because I have faith, will God heal him?
Everything in God’s creation is up to God and “His will”.
The Apostle John said “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14 NIV)
Even Jesus himself prayed about avoiding the death on the cross ”Praying, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42)
Why doesn’t God answer prayers when we have full faith? God does answer the prayers of the faithful, even those who struggle with faith. The answer may be different than we are requesting.
God told the prophet Isaiah ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)
I suppose unexpected tragedy, pain and suffering or unforeseen death can cause one’s faith to falter.
So what do you do when your prayers seem like they are not being answered? Trust God.
God is so complex. I think He sees death, pain and suffering different than we do. Think of His own son, the deaths of the apostles and all the pain and suffering of his people - God allows it to happen for a reason. And we need to have faith in that reason.
We may not understand it now, but in the eternal scheme of things, God has a plan, a purpose and it’s for our benefit and His plan. God also has an eternal perspective.
Suffering and death for a short time compared to eternity is smaller to Him than it is to our finite perspective.
Here is what we do know. “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NCV)
It can sound like a boiler-plate response, but think about it. What is eternal life?
God describes it as a place that “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because all the old ways are gone.” (Revelation 21:4 NCV)
No, that does not make the pain go away today, however if we have faith in God, His will, Eternity and the promise of His love through Jesus Christ saving our soul forever - maybe, just maybe, your faith in God’s care will carry you to the end.
LORD, like the man who needed his son healed from an evil spirt, Jesus asked “Do you believe I can help him?”. The man answered “I believe, but help me believe even more!” - that’s us. Help us trust you. Help us believe more. Help us have faith in your love and restoration from pain and suffering. If you allow pain, help us endure it well. Please give us faith - and more faith. IJNIP amen ♥️
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