Hi
The reflection following Today’s Holy Nougat might be a hard chew; handle with prayer.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
I am Your God
Until we are reconciled with God’s power and potential, refraining from dismay is an exercise in futility. For, unbelief does not lend itself to confidence in God’s ability to uphold or strengthen. Unfortunately, many of us Christians are not willing to name our fears or inability to trust that God will do what God has promised.
Primarily on the grounds of ‘unanswered’ prayer. For how does one trust when we face danger, abuse, trials and pain having heard “I will never leave you nor forsake you “? How does one trust when while we are yet speaking our dreams are dying and life is in shambles, when God promises to answer Before we call? How do we trust when the add-ons never seem to materialize although we desperately attempt to ‘seek God’s ways and aspire to righteousness above all else’?
Trusting God is hard work. Especially when those who believe differently seem to be enjoying the fruits of their labor. It is very easy to be discouraged and to enter the most dangerous practice of faith: Going through the motions.
Been there? No. It’s such a slippery slope, and often begins with one disappointment too many. When we say the right things (in public), but in our hearts we believe differently. Then we question the need to be observant. Then our prayer life fails … and this may continue for a while before we realize (maybe) that if we’re honest; we maintain a form of godliness, while having Zero expectations of God’s power or goodness.
Some of us realize in time. Many of us are still in limbo! But I believe that if we catch ourselves in that space, we are within our rights to say, ‘I believe; Almighty God reveal Yourself to me!’ Or to ask God directly why we faced whatever we underwent. Or to ask for a sign that God still cares. It may be the difference between life and death or despair.
And for those of us who think we know what space another is in spiritually; maybe our best response is to lay off the judgemental approach; and try compassion (empathy). For if we get to compassion-empathy, our response just might be prayer for revelation of how to be God’s instrument of grace; rather than exacerbating a critical situation.
May God’s glory be revealed to each of us who struggles to believe again!
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
