Choose to follow your faith

There once was a tale told about an enemy who wanted to tempt a devoted man of God. How did he plan to do it?

Did the enemy show the man the pleasures and excitement of a life of sin? No. “That won’t work,” contemplated the enemy. “The man will know that sin leads to misery,” he said.

Did the enemy show the man the trials of a righteous life? No. “That won’t work,” the enemy thought. “The man knows that hardships are the paths to wisdom and peace.”

Did the enemy tell the man to stop trying when faced with setbacks? No. “That won’t work,” the enemy deliberated. “The man knows that persistence can lead to victory.”

Did the enemy whisper to the man that he’s worthless? No. “That won’t work,” the enemy pondered. “The man knows that God loves him, and he was made in God’s image.”

The enemy thought long and hard. You could have heard a pin drop.

Eventually the enemy spoke, “I will discourage the man’s soul and cause him to lose his faith ... that will work!” he exclaimed.

Have life’s difficulties taken their toll on your faith? Drowning in sorrows, have you been through many disappointments that you think, “What’s the use of trying anymore?”

When we go through tough times, it’s easy to give in to doubt and negativity. Or, we can continually mull over the impossibilities of the situation. We can focus on our own shortcomings, faults and failings, until we may become so disheartened with life, we are persuaded to just quit doing God’s will.

But, let me encourage you: Do not give up hope or become discouraged. You were created for so much more. Never let negative emotions run away with you. Feelings are variable; they change with the weather. However, perfect faith cannot waiver. Don’t sit around and mope. Free yourself from false, destructive beliefs about yourself or your situation. Believe God over the damaging doubts in your mind. Confess God’s word over your circumstances. Maintain a grateful attitude. Thank God for the promises He is fulfilling. And choose faith in God over feelings.

In the Bible, it tells how the disciples were in their boat crossing the sea, and Jesus came walking on the water toward them. Yet, “when the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified, and cried out in fear.” But Jesus immediately said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid.” Peter answered, “Lord, if it is really You, bid me to come to You on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come.”

Then, Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind raging and the waves rising, Peter became afraid, and he began to sink, crying, “Lord, save me.” And, immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him” (Matthew 14:25-31).

When Peter took his eyes off the Lord, he felt fearful, worried and began to sink. So don’t look down at your problems. Rather, keep your eyes looking up on our miraculous God. Meet discouragement and doubt with denial and then conquer it with an assertion of faith.

God is our hiding place, our source of security, and our hope in times of trouble. “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). Trust God’s ways and trust God’s timing. Awhile back, I was in the Atlanta airport. My flight had just landed, and I was trying to make my way to the baggage claim. Since I was traveling alone to go to a gift show, and I hadn’t been to Atlanta before, I wasn’t sure if I should get on the tram or not. It was difficult to navigate which way I should go. Yet, as I was rolling my heavy luggage behind me, I decided to keep on walking forward. About 30 minutes later, I thought to myself, “It seems as though I am going in the opposite direction of where I should be.” My mind was telling me all of the reasons to stay where I was and wait. But I cast my cares on God and kept on walking. Eventually, I arrived at baggage claim, elated.

Similarly, it may seem as though you are heading in the opposite direction of your hopes and dreams. But do not fear, God will not let you get lost. God is an on-time God. And He will intervene, meet your needs and bring all things together for your highest good. It is only a matter of time before circumstances turn around in your favor.

So ask God to lift your worries from your shoulders. It is your faith that will free you from your anxiety, fears and uncertainties. Trust God to make all things just, fair, and right. There is nothing too big or so broken that God cannot renew and restore. Thus, choose to follow your faith forward, and declare with assurance what God “is going to do” for you, what you “can do” and what “you will” accomplish. Do not go down the road of discouragement through negative thoughts and self-talk. Fill your heart and mind with prayer and praise and thank God for all that He has done for you. For when you ponder upon the good and speak optimistically, believing for positive results and working toward that belief, it can bring such thoughts and words to manifestation.

If you are sick, believe God for your healing and affirm, “I am getting better and better.” Instead of articulating, “I’ll never overcome this problem,” with authority say, “God is causing me to prevail.” As opposed to saying, “Nothing good ever works out for me,” announce, “New opportunities are soon coming my way.” In place of stating, “It’s too late now,” voice, “There are many possibilities for my future.” Instead of thinking, “I missed my chance,” state, “God’s mercy is new every morning.” Then, take steps to act upon what you’ve said.

No matter where you are, it’s time that you chart a new course by continually speaking words of hope, joy and success. You don’t have to be discouraged or defeated, yielding to negative thoughts or words. Let today be a defining moment: Choose faith over feelings.

Now, let me tell you that the enemy failed to tempt the man of God away from his Lord. Do you want to know why? The man’s faith was not in himself, it was in a never-failing, always-prevailing, loving, and totally forgiving God.

For love never fails.