How Do You Have Faith When You Don’t Have Faith?

Screenshot 2018-08-30 at 12.20.33 PM “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

This was the confession of the father who’s boy had been possessed with an impure spirit. He desperately wanted and needed to believe that Jesus had the power to deliver his son. And, yet, this wasn’t the first time someone had claimed to be able to help his son. There had been others. They had not only failed him. They had taken advantage of him…his deep desperation to see his son delivered.

Ever been there?

After all the stuff I’ve done, after all the things that have been done to me…could God really forgive me? make me new?

The good news seems to too good to be true.

The gospel seems unbelievable.

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

How do you have faith when you don’t have faith?

Let these truths sink in:

Faith is not an emotion. Faith is not something one possesses. Faith is something one chooses.
Faith is not about what you feel. Faith is what you declare based on God’s revealed truth.

Discipline

Screenshot 2018-08-29 at 7.33.39 PM Discipline.

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word, “discipline”?

It probably isn’t freedom.

Most perceive discipline as a burden to bear, or an external intrusion into our personal freedoms. But nothing could be further from truth and reality.

There is no freedom without discipline. Discipline is the key to freedom, for it is discipline that opens the pathway to freedom.

The discipline to stay true to our moral values – spiritual
The discipline to work at our mental capacities – mental
The discipline to exercise our physical bodies – physical

Discipline in these key areas is what allows us to be free, to be at our best.

Discipline is the key. Without it, our lives would be a wreck.

How are you doing in these three key areas? What needs to be built up? What needs more work? These three disciplines are the key to your freedom:

Spiritual discipline
Mental discipline
Physical discipline

Anxiety

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Anxiety…

There are days, when for no reason, I feel anxious about stuff.

I am not normally that way.

99% of the time, I am pretty well grounded and secure because I know God is in control. But every once in a while I go through spats when I’m just anxious…anxious about stuff…anxious about everything.

I’ve noticed that these spats of anxiety seem to accompany times when I am not feeling well, not getting enough sleep and rest. So I am sure lack of sleep and rest has something to do with it. I haven’t slept much in the last couple of days as I’ve been traveling on my way back from Bangkok.

Here’s what else I noticed about anxiety. Anxiety isn’t just bad for one’s health and well-being. But anxiety is an offense to a loving and caring God.
Anxiety is the antithesis to faith.

You see, anxiety my anxiety was saying to God, “You can’t take care of me. You can’t protect me. You can’t satisfy me.”

How absurd! How egregious! How offensive to a God who died for me on the cross!

As soon as I realized how absurd this was to God, I confessed and repented, guess what? Anxiety is gone! God took care of it. I don’t know how it works, but that’s what happened.

I don’t want to make light of those who suffer seasons of anxiety nor those who battle with depression. I don’t know why this doesn’t work for you in the same way. But I do want you to know that you are not alone for God is with you. And if you find yourself in a dark season, please know that people love you and God does too. Please seek help. Let someone know. Do not go through this season alone.

Now for the rest of us, know that God loves you, God wants what is best for you, and God is with you too.

Turn and trust God.

Oh, and get some sleep!