When hard times are upon you and you face an unknown future, it is normal to search for an inspirational quote to cling to while waiting for the promise of an amazingly good future.
As I write this, I await the results of suspicious breast cancers scans. Yes, the irony that I write of faith as I stand in faith, is not lost to me. I write because God has assured me that I will be ok. How and what that looks like, I have no idea. Despite the evidence of things that scare me, I will continue to trust God and live a life of hope and faith.
On my drive a few days prior to this writing, I remembered a prayer Jesus prayed on the Mount of Gethsemane the night before he was taken into captivity. In his quiet time with his Father, he prayed, “let this cup pass from me, but if I must, then your will be done”. In one version, it says Jesus was so distraught, his sweat was like drops of blood (Luke 22:44). I said a very similar prayer as I prepared for testing day.
To be honest, I was hesitant to decree and declare the declaration of total freedom of cancer. I have witnessed so many who did so and they still received that diagnosis. No, I would rather prayer the prayer of the faithful, believing and trusting God that if that is my diagnosis, then it is for good reason. There is no point in trying to assign myself a plague of worry…for my God is able to do all things, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I will celebrate when my known God gives me the all clear at the end of my testing.
Faith means to get (noun) in Greek, and believe (verb). Fatih means, belief, firm persuasion, assurance, firm conviction, faithfulness. We have to take action when facing a scary situation.
It is the assurance of what we hope for, but do not yet see. Life today may look daunting, but we have Jesus Christ who came to be the light of the world. His light is a promise that no matter how dark the room we are standing in, the whole house is lit up.
Sometimes, it requires taking that first step of courage and remembering or reading the best bible versus that will put your mind in the right place instead of focusing on the single thing that causes you to focus on bad times. Fluctuating emotions are to be expected when you first start stretching your faith. However, Jesus promises “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20-21).
I have included some of the best bible verses to encourage you as you walk by faith this week.
- “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” – Psalm 46:1
2. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” – Mark 11:24
Faithful living produces fruits of the spirit. The fruits include joy and peace. What roots are attached to your fruits?
3. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” – Romans 15:13
Fear and doubt have no place in a life of faith and hope.
Be of good courage, Jesus promises everything is possible for one who believes. Believe in God, not in your own efforts, but in His. The creator of the Heavens and the Earth is able to move mountains on your behalf, all you have to do is fully believe. Leave no room for the crumbs of doubt. The word of God is infallible. God is incapable of lying.
4. Jesus speaks of the substance of things not yet seen. He says this, “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes” – Mark 9:23
Faith produces strength in our own lives. This strength bears witness to others and they too will begin to take the leap of faith in their own lives. And thus, more and more others will begin to seek the living true God and begin to understand what it means to have true biblical faith.
Miracles will will encourage others. The are the very evidence of God’s presence and love.
5. In Romans 1:11-12 the Apostle Paul shares that by sharing the spiritual gift of faith, there is a mutual benefit to the body of Christ.
I pray you trust in Him today. Despite the circumstances, no matter the losses, life, faith and hope are gifts that chase you down and bless you abundantly. May every turn you take be met with an encouraging word or smile. May Jesus Christ visit you in your quiet time and share of his great love to you. I pray perfect strangers approach you to speak life over you. When you turn to thank them, they will be gone, because they were heaven sent angels on a mission to encourage you in your walk of faith. Be encouraged today.
In Jesus name…Amen
Until next time…Court
