Fearless Faith and Awestruck Joy—What happened? Did I Get it Wrong?
All too often, we humans equate prosperity and comfort as success. Particularly, within the United States; we equate happiness and success to those who have obtained prosperity.
Even, as Christians we tend to believe that “if I am pleasing God, my life is going to go smoothly and I will enjoy success as well as happiness.” I will be healthy, my family will be always safe, and there will be few bumps along the road if I can just stay in God’s will and get this Christian walk right. By following after God, if my faith is strong enough; I can avoid pain and suffering on this earth as well as look forward to heaven one day. Too often we have it all wrong,
we think that if we live a “good enough” life we should have our reward here and now. Too often we misjudge others and say, “Well, if their faith was stronger or if they lived a better life this wouldn’t have happened to them.” Mistakenly we think that if trials and tribulations come it is because of a lack of faith or a failure to do what God has commanded us. This is faulty understanding of the gospel and just not true. Christ taught us in Matthew 5 that sometimes things will go well and sometimes they will go badly. “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you….16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
I must say that I have also been guilty of this very thing; both in my life and in “judging the faith of others.” Hard to admit; but, I think we may have all been guilty of the same at some point in our lives. After all we are a society who likes to compare our achievements with others—who is better in school, who is prettier, who is more successful, who is thinner, who is more athletic, etc., etc. All, too often, in my own Christian walk I have felt defeated and believed I must have failed as God’s child. Why else would God have God allowed such trials in my life? This brings us to Abraham as we move forward in the faith Hall of Fame. “8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11). So, Abraham obeyed God and went where he was told. When he got there everything was wonderful, beautiful with no hardships. He had many children and all went well. That is not how the story went, which we shall see as we continue on. But let me give you a clue, when he arrived into the land where he was told to go, the first thing that happened was there was a famine in the land. Don’t you think, Abraham was a lot like us and would have said, “God, is this what I signed up for? Did I get it wrong? What are you doing, God? I thought I would prosper if I obeyed you? Is this what you promised?” After many years in God’s faith training course, I had clearly been directed by God to leave Orlando and come to Columbia back in December 2013 and go to work at the VA. With great anticipation, I knew that God was leading the way. When I arrived, I only had a part time job and faced a lot of difficulties even there. Having always been the #1 at any job I did, I was being humbled by supervisors who were intent on criticizing everything I did at first. Months went by and I wondered if I heard it wrong. I turned down another job across town because I was certain I had heard God’s voice telling me to stay; then, everything changed—I was offered full time and the eyes of my supervisors were opened to see the work I did as valuable. During the tough moments, I remained in prayer and did my work humbly as to God. My biggest enemy during those times, as it was many times in this Christian journey, was the battle within. Satan’s whispering lies, “See, you just aren’t good enough.” The truth is, our reward may come quickly or it may not be on this earth. But, if we know who God is and we realize that He rewards those who diligently seek after Him, we can stand fearless through any circumstance and rejoice in the joy we have in Christ. Trials come to draw us closer to our source of hope and joy—which is God. Peter reminds us of this: “12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (I Peter 4). That does not mean we don’t battle against sin in our lives—it does mean we lay our sins at the foot of the cross and we place our eyes on Christ. “15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
So two final take truths from today’s lesson:
1. When you step out in faith because you heard God’s voice say go and a famine arrives, don’t despair and think you got it all wrong. Just keep your eyes focused on God, He will show you the way.
2. Don’t judge another Christians walk by outward appearances—God only knows their heart. When you try to judge, you usually are trying to compare yourself to them which leads to self-pride and exaltation, which is sin.
Because of the blood of Christ, we are flawless before God. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. God will finish the work He began in each of us—that is a promise we can be certain of.
Listen to this new song by Mercy Me, “Flawless”
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.