Faith 101

"This doesn't make any sense. What are you doing Lord? Where are you? Why have you allowed this in my life? Why do you continue to sit by and do absolutely nothing? Why aren't you answering me?"  Do these questions sound familiar? I'm guessing they do. When we're asking questions such as these, we're leaning on our own understanding. We're reasoning with God when we should be trusting Him. We may know His Word, but in times of confusion and despair, we fail to listen to it and "do what it says."


"Do not merely listen to the word, 
and so deceive yourselves. 
Do what it says."
James 1:22 (NIV)


God doesn't say we need to understand it all. He just simply says we need to trust Him. Besides, He's already told us that we CAN'T understand His ways . . . they are not our ways . . . they are higher. (Isaiah 55:8) So, God speaks to us loud and clear when confusion overcomes us and we're desperate for answers . . . He offers a solution and it's the very basics in Faith 101:


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart 
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, 
and He will make your paths straight." 
(Proverbs 3:5-6)


Faith 101 starts with this: Acknowledging God is ALL your ways. In every thought, deed, and word, ask yourself, "Is God is in it?" Are you glorifying God? Recognize and admit that He is in charge of everything and sovereign over every detail of your life. Be determined to "be still" and wait in faith for Him to come deliver you in His time and in His way. 


Next, DO NOT try and figure it all out. If you do, you'll find yourself cast into an rogue wave of despair with no hope of escape. You CANNOT see life from God's perspective . . . but you can get a glimpse and you can find peace if you'll trust that maybe, just maybe, He knows what He's doing. If He can manage the universe, SURELY He can manage your life. ; ) Find strength in His Promises and cling to them at all times. 


You see, if you'll trust God and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life, the rest is up to Him. Though the road is long and winding, He's always there beside you and HE will make your paths straight. He's going to use your circumstances to squeeze every bit of faith out of you that He can get. This journey is not about our temporary pleasure, it's about preparing us for eternity. And only faith will get us there.