Faith Tested

Faith Tested

                We hear a lot nowadays, about how this Hollywood star or some famous singer or performer has found God and religion. And while I think it is a wonderful thing anytime anyone accepts God into their life, too often these stars like others, claim to find God, but on their terms. They treat him like one of their movie scripts, where if there is something they don’t like or that would make him more palatable to them, they can do a quick re-write and change it. God hasn’t gone Hollywood!  Nor will he ever. God makes it his business to change man, but man will never change God. We either accept him for who and what he is, accept and live by his version of right and wrong, believe he is the ultimate authority, or we don’t.

            Not only should we accept that he makes the rules, and we don’t. But if we are trying to live our lives as one of his disciples, we need to trust him to do things in his way and in his own time. I am stipulating the fact that I am in no way under the illusion, that I am a perfect example of a Christian. I have, however, been at it for a while now and want to share a personal experience, that recently happened. I offer it as just one more example of how we all fall short of his glory and we need to constantly strive to grow our faith, move closer to God, and work on understanding his ways. I will attempt to tell the story in such a way, as to protect the anonymity of the person or persons involved and respect their privacy. I pray it takes nothing away from the message.

            Recently there has been an ever-increasing concern in our home and quite honestly my wife and I were being slowly but surely beaten down by this problem. To our dismay, everything we tried was failing. We had both gone to the Lord on this issue over and over again, and while we are both, what I would consider, people of strong faith, the matter continued to grow worse. Without elaborating on the issue, I will tell you that it is the type of problem where you are worried sick over a loved one. I think almost anyone can relate to the heartache and pain that can be involved in these situations. We have probably all been there at one time or another in our lives, and have had at least a bitter taste, of the helplessness and hopelessness, that I’m describing.

As I have already stated, this had gone on for some time, and despite the prayers and efforts, it appeared we were taking one step forward and three steps back. Every time we thought we saw a glimmer of hope, it wouldn’t be long before something would crash and we were worse off than before. Both of us are fully aware that when you try to do good, (such as this website and these stories), there will be a price to pay because that makes Satan come at you that much harder. But we also know that God is greater than He, that is in this world, and while we are unable to defeat him on our own with God’s help we can prevail. But when something just continues on and on with an unrelenting ferocity, I don’t care how strong you may be, everyone has a breaking point! And I worried my wife was nearing hers and was pretty sure I was losing grip and nearing the end of my rope.

Without forethought and out of desperation, I grabbed the kids and the wife and had a family prayer. It was totally unplanned and certainly unexpected. When the thought hit my mind, I acted on it immediately. Having had no time to think what I wanted to say, I proceeded allowing the words to fall out of my mouth, unfiltered and un-edited, which was the very first time for me, while praying aloud anyway.  And as the words began coming, I started feeling the presence of The Holy Ghost, which immediately emboldened me and strengthened me, in a manner I am unaccustomed to. I threw my pride and inhibitions to the floor and let my heart do the talking. I honestly couldn’t tell you the words I spoke, but I know I released any pent-up doubts, fears, or reservations I had been keeping inside me. And I rebuked Satan to his face, in the name of the Father. After, releasing my problems and turning them over to the Lord and having nothing further that needed to be said, I came to an awkward and abrupt close to my prayer.

That is when it got interesting! After experiencing what had taken place, I was so certain that God had moved and given us everything we had asked him for, that I was ready to celebrate! Well wouldn’t you know it, my euphoria lasted about ten seconds before Satan popped his evil smiling face nose to nose with me, mocking me and telling me that we hadn’t won after all and that he was not defeated. (I wish I could give more details, but as I’ve stated, I need to be obscure to protect privacy). I looked over at my wife, and saw the look of hurt, disappointment, and confusion, and realized she was feeling exactly as I was, and that made it hurt even more. Not having an explanation or knowing what to do or say, I retreated into the next room to sulk.

I no sooner began questioning God why this was happening when his spirit reminded me that he hadn’t left or deserted us. He made me aware that he doesn’t follow Hollywood’s rules and that what might make for the perfect ending in a dramatic movie, was not his plan. He reminded me that he works in his ways and on his time and that I should remember who I had come to for help, and not to doubt him. I immediately felt the blood resurge throughout my body and the indescribable joy that I had experienced just a short time ago, return. I rushed back into the next room to share this wonderful revelation with my wife and was blessed by being allowed to witness that same joy return to her. I explained how we had claimed a victory through Jesus and simply because he didn’t react immediately, we both concluded that it was all for not and had returned straight back to our previously weakened state of faith. We then decided to continue to claim our victory and wait upon the Lord.

Most everyone loves a happy ending, and as long-winded as I, can get at times, you are probably thankful I am finally coming to any kind of ending, so here you are. Needless to say, the Lord did hear and is answering our prayers. Not like in the movies, but in the right way. Though it may still take some time to completely resolve all the issues, and I’m quite sure we will have more storms on our horizon, he is with us, strengthening us, and guiding us. And for now, peace is residing in our home. And the greatest part is, like in every trial you face, we have grown and learned from this experience, and are better for having gone through it. Praise God!

James 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.