Faith Is A Choice
By Paris Renae
Monday, October 9, 2017
“We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
Spending the better part of a week (or more) sick, brings a whole new perspective.
Why are we surprised each time when we go through the inconvenience and pain and agony of the common cold/flu/whatever is going around - that we come out on the other side with a soul rest we desperately needed?
I hate getting sick: it messes up my calendar, nothing gets done that should, I worry I'm spreading it to family. Then a week (at least this time) later I realize that by not being able to think clearly (or at all) my brain might actually be ready to hear God's whispers.
At the beginning of this still-not-over but-much-better round of yuck, I lay in bed begging: 'God just lay Your healing hands on me, I'm supposed to be watching my grandson, I'm supposed to be doing many things'.
N-o-t-h-i-n-g. A day or two later: 'God, really, this can't go on, I need Your healing now.' Yes, I actually told Him 'now'. So grateful He just smiles and thinks 'Paris, Paris p-l-e-a-s-e let me be in control' (since He is anyway).
Funny how when we feel good, have what we need, think we're in control it's easy to say, 'Oh yeah, I trust God in all things'.
Honestly, how long does it take to grow up and mature in God to the point that you don't see in the mirror a little girl saying 'now', (hands on hips optional)?
In Max Lucado's book, Glory Days (excellent by the way), he tells of a father who lost one of his children to a freak accident. Six years later they happened to meet. He was hurting no less for his loss but proclaiming the only way through: "Faith is a choice."
Max said this about Jesus followers: “When forced to stand at the crossroads of belief and unbelief, they choose belief."
And so on the worst night of my illness when the pain in my cheeks was so bad I wanted to pass out, I passed words into the throne room of heaven –
'Father, You have seen me through all things and I am certainly not as miserable as the poor people in Houston, or Florida, or Las Vegas are right now. I can't even imagine their pain and suffering. I trust You to work out things for me and pray great things for our country in the aftermath. In Jesus Name, Amen'
Was I healed in the morning? No - but the pain was gone and I found a great doctor at the local urgent care - and my spirit was renewed. Today I CHOOSE BELIEF in the great I AM.
Are you sick or tired or all of the above and more – call out.
Oh, Father, get our eyes off our circumstances and on our Creator. You are healer of bodies and hearts and sometimes the answer is not what we want. But always Your presence is with us. Your Holy Spirit speaking to our spirit and growing us in You. Thank You for such a great love as this. Help us to choose belief – may growing trust be what others see. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
© 2017 by Paris Renae, All rights reserved.
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Originally published Monday, 09 October 2017.
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