Faith in your hard times

[ChosenJC]

Faith: Hopeful expectation of things dreamed of, waiting for things unseen.

The testing of our faith comes in many forms and in different phases of our life. Each phase makes us aware of a new aspect of life and therefor a new facet of God. There is Christ the Son, sacrifice, lover of our soul and bride groom. Holy Spirit our guide and spiritual connection/translator to God himself. Our spirit connects with the Spirit of the 3-in-one God. Then the Father God. How do you see your heavenly Father? In your hard times do you run the safety of Daddy's arms? Do you thank Him in your plentiful times? When you make a mistake do you go to Him so He can help you fix it? When you succeed do you give Him Glory? When you've been betrayed do you go to your Father trusting in His faithfulness to you, your heart, your dreams? Do you have faith?

At this point you may be questioning your faith. Is it because you see Father God as your earthly father? Maybe you see Holy Spirit as weird or the great mystery. Is the Son the lover of your soul? Do you show Him the most intimate parts of you? Do you trust God with your fears, mistakes, trials or successes? Do you talk to Him about all things or do you hide the scary parts like Jonah? Are you doubting Him, Thomas until he shows you something tangible (the money, health, job, friend)? Faith is the hopeful expectation that God never changes and therefor loves you as He did in the beginning. He loves you everyday of your life as much as He did when He sent His only Son to die for you.

Is there a bud of faith growing in you yet? It doesn't take much and it's watered by our tears as we open up to our God. He doesn't just see each tear but feels them as well. He understands every kind of grief, regret, fear and uncertainty. He's not afraid of coming into our messes. He never turns away in shame of you. Shame and condemnation comes from the father of lies. If your faith was squashed and you doubt your God it is probably because you listened to His enemy the father of lies. Fear comes from this enemy too. God is love by nature and perfect love casts out fear. If this perfect, amazing, loving 3-in-one God is for us than who can stand against us?
Fear Not and Have Faith.

 

[Jon4TheCross]

A good faith builder to experience at least once is complete solitude in the wilderness...just the person and God in a tent...trusting God for protection. It was the first thing Jesus did after public baptism...and He counted/knew the cost.

Even if a person feels the need to take food and water with them...it is the solitude I believe which csn help to increase faith. If fasting from food and water for a couple days...that's a bonus. I believe God approves of baby steps...but I would not go another year without experiencing solitude at least once in the woods if such has never been experienced.

 

[ChosenJC]

Agreed, and you've inspired me. Maybe I'll go to one of the fed campgrounds by my place and spend a couple days with God. I live in a beautiful place so being in solitude in the wilderness is not logistically difficult for me.

 

[Jon4TheCross]

Nice! You will not regret it...but may become addicted lol.

 

[Joidevivre]

FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE WORD OF GOD. Romans 10:17

All scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and when it is received by the heart, it is also believed.
When I begin to have any doubts, I read scripture aloud so I truly "hear" it.

Faith = Is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:1

 

[ChosenJC]

Amen. I have been learning to allow HS to translate scripture to me. Then I understand it's context and God's heart in that circumstance. This understanding increases my faith. For instance:

John 4:23
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

I understand this to mean that I must live transparently through good and bad times. Paul said we are to be living sacrifices, that as we are living day to day we are giving God glory. That is our act of worship (Romans 12:1). In truth means being honest and transparent. God created us with free will and the ability to mess up. We are not perfect. So we must turn to God when we have messed up and when we are doing well. This transparency gives him glory because people will see that our God accepts us as we are and forgives. They see us go through through hard times when the world is against us yet still trusting God. They see us loving each other as Christ taught us. Through our lives they see God (John 13:34-35). This is our worship.

Understanding this verse gave me faith that God loves me no matter what. He wants me to come to Him in ALL things openly expressing myself. He's never ashamed of me. His character is Holy and perfect and can withstand my mistakes.

Side note: I have reason to give Him glory in all things even the toughest moments of my life. I must remember this world is broken and we have an enemy. Only good and perfect things come from our Father (James 17:1).

John 4:23/ Romans 12:1/ John 13:34-35/ James 17:1

 

[blue_ladybug]

if I didn't have faith through all my hard times, I'd have been dead long ago..

 

[elf3]

Romans 5:1-5. Think upon what God is building in you as you go through hard times. Yeah if you let Him you will come out with flying colors. If you fight God through hard times you will be missing some most valuable lessons. Yep my faith has kept me sane only but the power of the Holy Spirit working in me. Now I actually ask God "ok what's next and what do you have for me to learn through it". Don't question God as to "why" but as to "what". Why it happens we many times don't need to know. What we can learn is the question we need to ask.

Hmm let's see what I have learned in the last three years of very hard times...hope, trust, patience, humility, love, faith, God's Sovereignty, God's love, God's sacrifice for us, God's patience with us, humility, humility, and humility. Yep I needed to learn humility Oh did I mention I learned humility

I thank God for everything I have been through because I would have never learned certain things without them. God is too good to us.

 

[ChosenJC]

Yes humility is a lesson that keeps coming up. So is patience. I ask God to give me more patience so I can handle waiting on His plan. Then He gives me a moment in which I must be patient. Be careful what you pray for!

I spent some time alone in the wilderness! 3 days 2 nights. I was cold! I think it got down to the 20s at night. The day time was lovely. I had an entire campground to myself! It's off season still so no one else was there. Also meant I had to go primitive, no water or facilities. God and I talked a lot about forgiveness, patience, humility did I mention humility? I must trust He is a bigger God than all of my problems, hurts and mistakes. If I surrender and let Him work through me my life's path will make sense. His ways are higher! He is not hindered by time so He can orchestrate each part of our lives to match up with next part of His plan. In the moment it may not be clear but He sees the next moment and the one after that.

 

[Joidevivre]

A good faith builder to experience at least once is complete solitude in the wilderness...just the person and God in a tent...trusting God for protection. It was the first thing Jesus did after public baptism...and He counted/knew the cost.

But remember, that before Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, He had perfect faith and knew the scriptures. Because right after that, He went into the temple and expounded on them with authority.

He did not go into the wilderness to build His faith - but to show the power of the Word against Satan when tempted.

 

[SoulWeaver]

before Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, He had perfect faith and knew the scriptures. Because right after that, He went into the temple and expounded on them with authority.

Great example for us. Only the one walking the walk has the authority to teach in church.

 

[SoulWeaver]

I'm going to c/p this from my blog in hope that it will encourage someone - it's related to this OP - when we believe in Jesus, we actually borrow and draw our faith from HIS own perfect faith:

Intercession is basically "lending" faith to another who has little or less.

Intercession would not be possible without Jesus, because it is the point of Jesus in us that we are able to intercede from. Intercession originates from Jesus, spreading out not just in New Testament church, but also extending to all those who "stood in the gap" in the Old Testament and that were "types" and forerunners of Jesus.

Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

While Abraham, Moses and other prophets "debated with God" to save the people, Jesus was the only one who truly "made up the hedge" and "stood in the gap" that God would not destroy all the people. Woe to us, if Jesus did not intercede for us, and have faith for us, where we have lacked.

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

And as believers, we abide in this favor of God continually. WOW what kind of backup do we have...

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

And as we received, we are able to extend to others to multiply what was received. Even if their faith is plummeting at the moment, if we have strong faith to carry another person through their storm, we are able to help them overcome, this is the same faith of Jesus that helps us overcome.

 

[Bowhunter2394]

The Just shall live by Faith..... Therein is the Righteousness of God Revealed from Faith to Faith... Glory to Glory... His Elect are tested, tried, Receiving the Promise of God planted in the heart on Good Ground.. this done thru His Word and the work of the Paraclete. Trials, tribulation, pressure, distresses, persecutions, etc.. all come your Way as the Promise of God is 'tested or 'tried'.. the Word of Promise you received into Good Ground your heart/spirit.. God will even allow the 'tempter' to approach you.. 'hath God really promised this you? Look at your circumstances/situation... did He really say that? ' oh and he will.. you just 'quote' the Promise of God at Him.. the shield of Faith on, have your shoes 'readied' for the Gospel of Peace....... the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit which is the 'spoken' Word of God. you use to quench all the fiery 'darts' of the Wicked. as you 'speak' back at those who are sent your way to trip you up, to make you doubt, 'trouble you' Paul mentioned.. Listen to What Paul says as you walk daily with Him.. Crucified with Him, body dead because of sin, spirit made Alive because of Imputed Righteousness! -------------------------------->

**Now the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace in Believing, that ye may Aboundin Hope, throughthe Power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

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filled with Joy and Abounding in Hope thru the Power of the Holy Ghost.. this done when things look the darkest, when others are slandering you, waiting for your demise, but YOU .. walking in Joy and Strength of the Holy Ghost.. making the 'others' scratch their head and say ' why is he so happy, doesnt he realize what is going on or going to happen?'' lolz.. God is GREATER than any of your problems.. and in the Time of testing when you 'fail'.. He is Faithful and will carry you thru.. because He cannot 'deny' Himself or the Promise He has given you.. What a Faithful Savior! wow all Available thru His Propitiation at the Bloody Tree! To God Be the Glory!