Fourth Pathway – Painstakingly Acquiring Faith –
Part VII
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by
the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) The Bible and other sacred literature remain
as enduring depositories of faith. I
suggest disciples choose several verses to memorize and recite to strengthen
their faith. Repeat these verses as many
times as necessary to allow them to seep deeply within your unconscious. Be able to recite them silently in your
sleep. The Israelites taught their
children to internalize the scriptures.
They told them to recite the Word of God as they left and returned to
their houses. They recalled God’s
promises upon awaking in the morning and lying down for sleep in the
night. Within their daily affairs, they
surrounded themselves with God’s love and grace as evident in His Word. As you heal from past pain, adopting several
Bible verses as divine promises of restoration strengthens your faith.
A few verses in Isaiah and a verse each
in Deuteronomy and the Psalms reignite the flame of my faith in bleak
times. The author of Isaiah 50:7 speaks
with limitless confidence and trust in God.
He says, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be
disgraced. Therefore, have I set my face
like flint; and I know that I will not be put to shame.” Notice the high opinion of God the author
holds. The theologian, J. I. Packer,
posits that disciples who trust God think highly of Him. Isaiah addresses God as the “Sovereign Lord”
thereby characterizing Him as an omnipotent being to whom the prophet appeals
to resolve any dilemma. With the aid of
an all-knowing, ever-present, all powerful and benevolent Supreme Being, Isaiah
knows disgrace will not befall him.
Colloquially, with God on his side, how could Isaiah possibly fail? With the blessed assurance of success, Isaiah
develops fierce determination to pursue his ambitions and goals. He describes his resolve as
“flint-like.” Flint is a gray or black
stone that looks like glass. Isaiah’s
intention parallels the impenetrable substance and lucidity of this rock. Accordingly, the prophet repeats, “I know
that I will not be put to shame.” If
struck by steel, flint ignites. Isaiah’s
faith enflames his willingness to achieve his goals as he genuinely relies upon
God.
Fear impedes healing. It robs countless persons of peace of
mind. Its turmoil distracts people from
their priorities as they preoccupy themselves with myriad problems. People waste precious time, energy and
resources embroiled in unnecessary fights.
Fear of humiliation imprisons disciples in unproductive conflicts. There are those battles that organically
erupt in daily living. Medical diagnoses
can be unfair. Unjust terminations due
to budgetary shortfalls and internal politics occur each day. Other relational
and vocational challenges cumulatively create paralyzing fear in the minds and
hearts of many disciples. Yet, Isaiah
offers tremendous encouragement: Isaiah 41:10, “So, do not fear, for I am with
you; do not be dismayed for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous
right hand.” The assurance of God’s
presence obliterates fear. The certainty
of God’s unfailing love yields healing from substantive relational pain and
emotional injury. With God standing
beside them, disciples need not fear anyone or anything. God tells them to resist despondent
feelings. “Be not dismayed for I am your
God.” He promises to strengthen them and
enable them to triumph in any adversity.
Faith in God’s trustworthiness and guidance during a long and seemingly
unending challenge destroys fear.
Howard Thurman, premiere African
American Baptist mystic theologian of the twentieth century, likens faith
during difficult times to headlights on a dark and dreary road. Consider driving while lost on a Southern
dirt road in dense woods. You long for
the main road. Loudly whistling leaves,
hooting owls and wildlife noises increase your heart rate. Fears of imminent injury or death floods your
mind. With a panting heart, sweat
drenched clothing and childlike anxiety, you drive frantically and
speedily. God’s overarching presence and
protection are headlights to lead you.
Darkness compels you to draw closer to God. Isaiah 42:16 says, “I will lead the blind by
ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will lead them; I will turn
the darkness into light before them and make the rough spaces smooth before
them. These are the things that I will
do; I will not forsake them.” This verse
offers tremendous growth in faith.
Periodically, disciples face every conceivable challenge relating to
health, finances, employment, marriage, family and emotional well-being. Total darkness eclipses God’s presence and
power. Through Isaiah’s voice, the Lord
promises to lead any aimless disciple.
Blind followers will receive divine guidance as they progress through
the darkness. God pledges to lead them
along new and previously untraveled paths.
Open-mindedness and creativity are vital spiritual tools in tough times. That is the time “to think outside of the
box.” It is crucial to explore different
passageways to your destiny. Quite
possibly, your previous internal challenges and difficult experiences blinded
you from seeing who you are. Although
you planned sought financial gain, material acquisition and noteworthy
reputation, you become open to God’s guidance and provision toward a different
vocation. Your time in the wilderness
demands your full and undivided attention.
Then, the Lord can instruct you.
He changes your conceptions about ambition, success, fame and
money. You leave the wilderness with a
new understanding; in serving other people, you find inner healing and
wholeness. Forsaking a victim’s complex
is critical to continual healing.
Furthermore, God pledges to turn the
darkness into light and make the rough spaces smooth. Faith in God’s ability removes internal
obstacles to your growth. Your life can
change in unimaginable ways if you trust God.
Accepting God’s unconditional love affirms your faith in Him. Seeing yourself as a unique child of God
fosters self-acceptance. The darkness that
permeates your soul is a wholesale ignorance of your unique character. Carl Jung posits everyone remains incomplete
until he or she embarks upon the interior journey that reveals “the
undiscovered self.” An interdependent
relationship with Almighty God discloses your unique self: the singular,
unparalleled, irreplaceable, matchless and distinctive character that you
possess as a gift of God. Each person
has a definitive and matchless personality.
Most unfortunately, countless persons expend extraordinary resources of
time, money and energy striving to be someone else. They fall prey to the wizardry of marketing
and advertising. They embark upon
useless quests to improve and perfect ourselves. Clothing, plastic surgery, “makeovers,”
cosmetics and other fashion products are the means through which they transform
themselves into Cinderella. They miss
the blessing of living unique and incalculable lives that God graciously
gives. They stumble in existential
darkness as they remain ignorant of who they are. Clarity about your “Self” equips you to
handle daily struggles and obstacles. As
God reveals the inimitable gifts, He gave you, He equally reveals myriad ways
to utilize them. Hence, God makes the
darkness light before you. God promises
He will not leave nor forsake you. He
does not abandon you to your circumstances.
Learning to trust Him is an important component of your relationship
with Him. Though the darkness hides God,
His glory remains. You may not feel
Him. You may not hear Him. Still, He is with you. Faith in the healing process means you trust
God to carry you when you faint.
Assuredly, God orchestrates your circumstances to yield healing within
your brokenness.
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