Hebrews 11:1
"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Matthew 17:20
"I tell you the truth, 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.' Nothing will be impossible for you."You hear people say all the time "You gotta have faith, everything is gonna be fine." But sometimes faith doesn't always seem so easy to find, does it. Do you have a lot of faith when the going gets tough? The past 12 years of my life have really been a journey of faith. There have been a few times where the Spirit of God has filled my soul and I have resonated with faith in every part of my being. Have you ever felt like that? It is really an awesome feeling and one I won't easily forget.
But it's easy for our faith to wane and believe me, mine has waned many times. We all get caught up in life and God feels far away. But He's right here, if we take the time to slow down and look for Him. If we spend time with Him, read His Word and pray for His direction and guidance.
Before I was correctly diagnosed with MS in 1998, the doctors first thought I had a brain tumor and cancer all over my body. And, when a knowledgeable and learned doctor puts up your MRI films and points out all these white spots on your brain and tell you it is most likely cancer, in shock: you will most likely believe him. And then the process begins, the waiting starts, and your faith, or lack of faith becomes evident to you and everyone around you.
After one visit to my pastor's house, where his wife took hold of my hands and said "Nicki, these are mortal men. They make mistakes. Only God knows what's going to happen to you. Your life is in His hands, not theirs." (I think I've mentioned this comment in previous blogs, but I wanted to bring it up again, because so much of who I am now, is because of that one statement that was made to me so many years ago.)
I'd always been a believer, but this was where the rubber hit the road. You may have heard the old saying "God will get your attention, somehow, and at some point He will bring you to your knees." Well, that was my "Aha" moment.
So I went on my knees to my Creator, the one that formed me in my mother's womb. I asked Him to spare my life and I asked for healing.I asked Him to use me for whatever time I had left on this earth. I had a husband and two young children. They needed me.
My faith grew each day. God surrounded me with His angels, and I had people sending me cards, sending me books, sending me flowers, calling me, stopping by to see me and just totally enveloping me with so much love. It was God's love and I could feel it everywhere I turned. I had an army of people praying for me, around the country and around the world, literally. It was totally a "God-thing." The outpouring was palpable. From that outpouring of love, my faith grew and I knew that no matter how long I was going to live, or what was going to happen to me, it was all part of His Glorious plan. I was just a grain of sand after all.
Turns out after brain surgery and every test known to man, the doctors were wrong. I didn't have a brain tumor and my body was completely free of cancer! Instead I had something called multiple sclerosis. God had answered all the prayers! He had more plans for me after all.....
Fast-forward 12 years to my life now in 2010. I've had a lot going on these past few years, health wise and family wise. Some unexpected things have come our way, circumstances that are really testing my faith.
It's funny, how when you're younger, you think that your whole life is going to go according to your plan. But, as you get a bit older, you realize that God is probably laughing at your plans, because He is the only one with the plan that doesn't fail. Only He has the master key that fits door #1, door, #2 and door #3. He's the one with the big jigsaw puzzle and only He knows how all the pieces fit together. We can't even begin to imagine His infinite Wisdom, Power and Love. It's mind boggling.
I believe that faith means holding on tight to the Lord, when your so called "plans" get torched. When your expectation or dreams for yourself or your loved ones don't turn out the way you thought they would. And at some point, it will happen to you; it may be sooner, it may be later; but it will happen, believe me. And when it happens, and your life is crumbling all around you, do you have a back-up plan, as they call it?
My back-up plan is my savior, Jesus Christ. I need him now, more than ever. I realized that 12 years ago after one visit to the doctor. So, I am holding on tight to my faith and my Lord. Holding on tight to my belief that He knows what He is doing and He will take care of everything in His perfect time, not mine.
My prayer is that you too have a back-up plan. Ask Jesus into your heart, ask Him to forgive you for your sins, and we will come, like a fresh breeze and make everything new. Suddenly, your burdens will be easier because you'll have God Almighty to help you. Let Jesus be your back-up plan. He won't disappoint you.
Tell me your story of faith! I would love to hear from you. God Bless you :)
My verses for today are on faith, listed above in red.
My prayer for today:
Dear Heavenly Father:
You know what's in my heart Lord. You know the pain that is consuming me right now. I have so much to be thankful for Lord. Help me to look up and turn it all over to you.
In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen
