Walking by Faith

While we've been out of the blogosphere the last several months, God has been teaching us a great deal about walking by faith.  As a Christian, you know this is how you are supposed to live.  We talk about it in church and in our circles of influence all the time.  "Trust the Lord. After all He knows what's best."  While this is true, its rather easy to talk about and not so easy to put into action.  Taking that next step into the pitch black of the unknown is very scary.   And though I am told not to fear and to be anxious for nothing, the Lord and I have quite the conversations through the darkness.  "Lord, I am trusting but what in the world are you doing?  What are you trying to teach us?  Lord, can you please leave my dear friend alone now?  She and her precious family have been through enough.  Lord, why can't Jason's job be as fantastic as we had thought it would be?  Why is his work environment so toxic?  Lord, how will we make ends meet if he finally quits and moves on?  Lord, are you SURE you want us to do it this way and not OUR way?  Really sure??"  I have asked God many MANY questions over the last few months.  Argued with him even.  Told him I didn't like the way things were.  His response? "Trust me child.  Walk with me.  I will carry you.  Follow me, even into the dark.  I will be there.  Have FAITH."

And I have.  I have trusted Him completely and He has blessed amazingly.  At one of my bridal showers many years ago, a sweet friend and mentor did a devotional talking about building up a "faith account".  Simply put, this is keeping a record of all the times that God has faithfully provided and proved himself.  When times are tough, you can make withdraws from the faith deposits because you know that God will provide and can be trusted because He has done so in the past.  We have been able to make many wonderful faith deposits this year.  We have seen God work in some phenomenal ways.  One of my best friends was on death's doorstep after the birth of her 4th baby, and God healed her.  When 3 out of 4 patients with this same complication died last year, God chose to heal Erin and has used her and her husband in AMAZING ways ever since (he was using them in in pretty awesome ways before hand too but still...).  Jason stepped out in faith and quit his job after 10 of the hardest months of his career without having another job lined up.  His last day was on a Friday and he had a job offer the following Monday.  God has provided through the darkness.  He has proved himself faithful yet again.  While I currently see light at the end of this dark forest, I have no doubts that darkness will come again.  I am hoping that when that day comes, I can pull from my faith account and walk boldly behind my Father, trusting Him with whatever comes my way.

"For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  

                      Proverbs 3:5-6