It amazes me how my faith can be so strong in certain areas of my life and then appear almost minuscule in others. Anybody relate?
Sometimes it seems no matter how feverishly I try and exercise my faith, doubt just won’t fully erase itself from my heart and mind. So I fret. I worry. I plan responses for any and every scenario I conjure up in my head. Every possible outcome is imagined along with a specific course of action. Hours of sleep are lost playing out all of the “what ifs” that spring into my head in the wee hours of the night.
Finally, in utter helplessness I bring these doubts to God. I can almost see Him smiling and nodding. It’s as if He is saying, “So, you’ve finally decided to come to me, have you?”.
And like a little child needing a great, big Daddy hug, I climb into His lap and rest there.
We’re both quiet for awhile. I can feel the angst in my soul start to dissolve.
I start to explain myself. He whispers, “Shhhhh, just be still.”
I start to ask questions. He whispers, “Shhhhhh, I’ve already got it covered”.
I clarify why I must know what He’s going to do. He shakes His head, “You would’t believe me even if I told you”.
We open up the Book.
Romans 11:33-36 MSG
Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out.
Is there anyone around who can explain God?
Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
Anyone who has done him such a huge favor
that God has to ask his advice?
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
We’re both quiet again. Together we stare at the Book.
Finally He speaks, “Child, from Whom does your faith come?”
“From You,” I meekly reply.
“Then why do you keep insisting on trying to muster it up yourself? Just ask me for it when you need it,” He gently chides.
“Oh Father, yes, please increase my faith!”
“Done. Now, what was it you were saying about doubt?” He questions with a twinkle in HIs eye.
“I doubt it even matters,” I say with a smile across my face,
I realize faith isn’t trying to feverishly erase my doubts. Faith is running to the arms of my Father and asking Him to erase them. He is the giver of all perfect gifts, which includes enough faith to erase all doubt.
Do you have a situation in your life for which you need an added measure of faith? Run to the arms of your Father and ask Him for it.
