Friday, July 27, 2007

Faith

I have been thinking a lot about faith lately. It seems that the Lord has been working with me, concerning this, for about a year now. I have always considered myself to have a lot of faith. The Lord has allowed me to go through plenty of things in my life where the only one I could lean on was Him. They were difficult things to endure, many times, but they were always good for me. I wouldn't want to erase the many trials that I have overcome, because its brought me to the place I am, right now, in my life.

One of the things that I have been struggling with has been when to say He will do something. There have been times that I FEEL like the Lord has showed me something, or His will for something, but I have sat back and doubted it or just waited for proof. I found that this was displeasing to the Lord. However, He was patient with me during my learning curve, but I knew all along the way that I needed to believe it, before it all worked out perfectly.

As I have been putting my faith more and more in Him the things that He is doing for me, and the things that He is able to show me, have seriously made me cry. They have humbled me. I am amazed at who He is. I thought I knew who He was, but I only knew a small portion of His power. I was limiting Him, by my own comfort zone. I would either make excuses as to why something might have happened in the past, or I wouldn't allow my expectations of the Almighty God to be too high, because I didn't want him to NOT measure up. *clearing throat* I don't think He needs my help in this. After all, He is capable of all things.

Anyway, I guess what I feel to express the most to all who is reading this, is to trust, believe, and have complete faith in the Lord. Why do we always try to shorten his hand extended?So many times we are stealing the blessings and joys right from under ourselves.

I was thinking about my sons, especially my teenagers, how they are beginning to think they know best or maybe even more than me at times. It is so frustrating to tell them how things will go, or how many blessings will come their way if they trust in the things that I tell them. Sometimes they are really good to bend their neck to fit the yoke, other times they arch their back and want to do it their own way. I have to let them, even at times when I can see it will be a disaster. That is the same way with us and the Lord. The more I trust in Him, the more He is pleased with me, and the more I am able to be blessed.

Sadly, the innocence of blind faith is something we grow out of. I can instruct Abram to do something, and explain why it needs to be done this way, and he follows innocently and obediently. He is easy to please, and easy to bless. Why must we outgrow the innocence and willingness of a child? I suppose their comes a day where things begin to turn full circle though. For as I get older, I can see the errors of my ways, and I want to trust more and more in Him. I have tried it my own way, and its a lot more work.

18 comments:

meNmykids said...

I feel like God has shown me some things lately, and I have a hard time keeping my faith strong through the wait. God even told me in a prophecy that he had always answered and always would, sometimes in an instant, sometimes over time. It's the time part that works on me. Patience. Bro. Denny always says that God is only as big to you as you'll let Him be. I seriously feel like a teenager in the spirit sometimes.

Anonymous said...

Faith is a mystery - and it's something I've always had since I was a child. I attended a Catholic private school run by nuns and they have tried their best to educate us in the way of the Lord. But children grow up and must make their own decisions and along the way make mistakes from which hopefully they learn.

My testimony is this: my life is perfect - no matter the pain, the tears, the chaos - because God is with me and where I am now is where I need to be, so that I may become the best person He intended me to be.

Always it is in hindsight that I see the wisdom, the reason behind certain difficulties and challenges. But not once did I ever doubt that God knew what He was doing.

Now I enjoy the good times more because the bad make me appreciate them to the hilt!

My life is a fairy tale, written by God's own hand. There are villains of course, but good triumphs all the time.


Joy
The Goddess In You

Trina said...

Gale: I feel like Im always learning too. Just when I start to get a little bit comfortable with where I am with the Lord he pushes me forward.

Joy: I totally agree with you. God is the author of the good, bad, and ugly, and we are ALWAYS better for it. Thanks for sharing that with me.

Cherrie said...

I would like to be one who lives everything in the Lords hands. I try but sometimes its hard. I feel as though I am a child at times. I feel as though I know his will in many things but having the patience is so hard to do.

Sabriena said...

I just don't feel like I know that much about God's glorious plan, and don't know what to say about your post except that it really touched me. Last night I felt the Spirit so strongly that I was shaking, and had to ask Grandma to drive back because I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate on my driving. By the time we got home my shakiness was decreased greatly, but I was still trembling a little as I walked inside. Church was so wonderful! It makes me relate more to the song "I love the thrill that I feel when I get together with God's wonderful people."

Mrs.Martin said...

Trina I know you have always had alot of faith and it has been your strength in the hard times. To have the faith of a child is beautiful gift. Love you.

Angel said...

Wow, Trina...I think you wrote exactly how I have been feeling myself lately. I know you read my post about Dark Nights of the Soul, so you know about where I am standing in my journey right now. I am realizing that we will never reach a point on the path where we have complete understanding. The Lord will always have something new to show us and teach us. Just when we think we 'get' it, we realize we don't. My lesson has been surrendering. Not just somethings, but all things. That God doesn't need my help; he doesn't want just *some* of my problems, he wants them all. And he wants me to *trust* HIM with all. I'm learning to do that, and honestly; I have been amazed at some prayers that have been answered lately. Like you, I was afraid to ask Him for certain things, I was afraid to set my expectations of Him to high and to be disappointed if my prayer went unanswered. Even though I know from past experiences, He answers prayers in His time, and in His way, seeing the whole picture, that I cannot see. Anyway, I'm rambling. But your post definitely hit home with me today. (((hugs)))

marykathryn said...

Oh Trina, your words ring true to me as well...You know the many many conversations we have had concerning the Lord and his will. I too am very quick to shorten his extended hand. The word "coincidence" seems to creep in mind way to often to shamefully admitt. Thank goodness that the Lord is patient. Eventually when I do come around to see that it wasn't by chance at all, then I hopefully give him the praise he so richly deserves. But why does it take a while sometimes?? Something I need to vastly improve on. Great Post!!

Trina said...

Cherrie: I agree that having the patience is hard to do. Sometimes we wants us to wait and other times he says go! The question is which one.....

Neena: It sure sounds like the Lord has been pricking your heart. What a beautiful gift that the Lord is so aware of you.

Sis: You are so right about the child like faith. I wish I could be that innocent and trusting again.

Angel: Yes, the Lord has been answering some amazing prayers and showing me some amazing things too. My eyes are a little clearer lately, and Im so thankful!


Mary: Yes, I understand the word coincidence. I have tried to take that out of my vocabulary in the last year or so. It was entirely overused in my life!

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Nadine said...

I think we all struggle with putting God in a box and not realizing how big He is. Your post was honest, heart felt and moving. I find reading your insights so refreshing. You are an amazing woman of God always trying to better yourself as we all should be. Thank you for sharing from your heart.

Fifi said...

I am sure the whole teenage time opens a whole nother chapter in every parents life!I pray for wisdom and patience on you and Den!
Love Fifi

ConservaChick said...

This is a wonderful post Trina. You wrote "Why do we always try to shorten his hand extended? So many times we are stealing the blessings and joys right from under ourselves". I just need to say AMEN! God has proven himself faithful to me so many times, why do I continue to doubt his power? I think my "performance" often comes into play when I doubt. I think somehow that my sin will prohibit God or that I haven't been "good enough" to receive his blessings. Oh, to fully grasp grace... that is where we find freedom.
What a blessing it was to read this post this evening! ~Karlie

Chantel H said...

You are right on the money. I feel that my faith has really been tried the last year or so also. These are good words. I finally posted.

Lori said...

Beautifully said. I am at a point in life where I am trying to learn to STOP worrying about things and pray and leave my worries with God. Your posts are always inspiring to me! :-)

Anonymous said...

I just got back online after being out of the loop since July 6. During my move I obviously missed the big announcement. Congratulations and I pray your m/s settles down soon. Three more weeks until I get to play with Sarah again and finally see Hannah in person!

Anonymous said...

How's the morning sickness? Feeling any better?

Tiffany

Sabriena said...

Since you haven't posted in a while, I am gathering that you've been kind of sick. Sorry.

I tagged you. If you don't feel up to being tagged, it's fine with me.