Don't lose your faith in times of tough sailing
Have you ever experienced giving up your faith in God’s kindness when the solution of your problem is not at bay? I would like to share with you a story written by Osy Erika in "Didache 2018”.
"I’m not ready to die, Lord,” I uttered silently as the ultrasound began. The night before had been tough. A doctor said I had a 50 percent chance of contracting a fatal illness, and a screening was needed. My thoughts were plagued with my impending death. I sank fast in the quicksand of my fears. I even tried to break up with my boyfriend, telling him to find someone else who would live for the next 20 years.
"After two tearful days, the test results came – – everything was normal. I praised God for the good news. But I realized how little faith I had. I caved in at the sight of possible pain – at just the mere hint of it – when I had known through past experiences that God had never let me down.
"Friends, you may be going through some tests right now, but do not let your faith collapse. Remember you are standing in the Rock of Salvation. If you are in a quicksand right now, I assure you that God will pull you to safety. Just surrender your circumstances to Him.”
This story reminds me of someone I know. Her husband left her and her children for another woman. She was totally devastated and in complete darkness on how she could survived in that overwhelming situation. But her faith and trust in God was her anchor in those darkest moment of her life. She and her children survived despite of everything. One day, her prodigal husband returned and asked for forgiveness. Her prayer had been answered.
How can we keep our faith in tough times? Alex Blackwell of www.beliefnet. com posted the following ways:
Keep doing the things that make you strong. If you find peace in reading, listening to music or working out, keep doing these things. Stay true to the activities that give you strength because these are probably the things that nourish your soul and feed your faith.
Allow yourself to grieve for what you have lost. Losing your faith happens. It doesn’t mean you are broken – it just means your faith is not strong at the moment. Acknowledge this and permit yourself to feel the sadness that loss may bring. To change your condition, you must first acknowledge your reality. Name it, call out for it, or weep for it. Your cries will be heard.
Get involved. Practicing faith takes action. Faith requires you to think, feel, and believe. Get involved with the people and causes that touch your heart the most. Spend more time with your children, volunteer in your community, or get behind a group or organization you believe is able to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Focus on the positive. If you find yourself coming back from a difficult situation where your faith has been tested, begin to look for the small, but positive things happening around you. Every good thought or encouraging experience is not an accident – these are signs to remind you of your purpose and the hope for what is waiting for you. As Thomas Nelson once said, “Stay faithful. If you’re hurting, stay hopeful. Pray and give thanks to God for the opportunity to grow…”