Faith in the Unknown

Have you ever found yourself struggling with your ability to trust God, especially when life isn’t going the way you hoped?

Growing up going to church, I've always known that God keeps our best interest at heart. Any Christian could tell you that even if it doesn't seem good now, God will make a way in His perfect timing. If you're a believer that statement should be comforting, right? It's always good to know that the God over everything truly cares for you. But sometimes, it can be hard to believe that God can make a way. Have you ever felt like that?

When you are in the midst of a challenging season in life, your trust in God gets tested. Sometimes you stand firm in your faith, knowing that He will come through. Other times, you find yourself questioning if God will help you. He promises that He will but... Maybe He forgot? Maybe this isn't in His plan? Maybe He's too busy? It’s in these moments that trust becomes a choice - not based on what you see but on who God is. Faith isn't about never struggling with doubt; it's about bringing those doubts to God and asking Him to help you overcome them. Trust grows when we lean on Him in uncertainty, choosing to believe that even when we don't understand, He is still working all things for good.

"The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:24

I've been reading through the Bible and I made it into the New Testament a few weeks ago. As I worked my way through Mark, I read the familiar story of the father who brought his demon possessed boy to Jesus for healing. I knew the story already, as I have heard it before, but something stood out to me. The verse I included above. Leading up to that verse, the father asked Jesus to heal his son if He could. Jesus replied that anything is possible if a person believes. That's when the father replied by crying out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" To me that spoke volumes. Isn't that so relatable?

There are so many times in our lives that all we need to do is believe. Believe that God is a man of His word. Believe that we aren't lost in the crowd. Believe the God of the impossible. Yet so many times, we are stuck in our unbelief. This father was so bold to ask Jesus to help him overcome his unbelief. To admit that he was having trouble believing Jesus in the first place. Have you ever felt you could ask God the same thing? It's definitely something that's hard to admit. Telling god, who's gotten you this far, that you're having trouble believing He can get you through this season of life. But if you are bold and ask God for His help, He will come through and help you. He won't be disappointed that you're struggling with unbelief. He'll be happy that you're running to your Father in your time of need.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." James 1:2-3

I was reminded of this verse last year at the start of what I thought was God giving me an opportunity for a new job. Long story short, I had the perfect opportunity to apply to teach at a Christian school. It seemed so perfect that I thought it had to be God arranging the whole thing. He was - just not in the way I had expected. Which is precisely how God works. At the beginning of summer, I went for the interview, gave my best first impression, and never heard back from the principal. I wondered why until a month later when I heard the lead teacher of my current classroom was interviewing for a new job. Maybe this was what God had in mind? Not exactly... A few weeks later, I found myself exactly where I had started - no new job in sight. I was wondering why God had closed those doors. Why did I feel stuck? Three months later, I was offered a new position in a different classroom at my current job. I gladly accepted it. That was God's plan.

Suddenly being directed to James 1:2-3 followed by six months of an unexpected job search trial was not easy. I was actually a little afraid when God directed me to that passage. I remember asking God what He was trying to tell me in that moment. Having two job offers that fell through really did test my faith. But look where God took me. I've been teaching in my new classroom for three months now and I'm thriving - at least I think so. I don't know what trials you may be facing, but I do know who's guiding you. The question is... Do you believe God is working in your situation? If you're having trouble trusting God right now, I pray you can be bold like that father in Mark. That you can ask God to help you overcome your unbelief. May He give you the strength you need to make it through this season of life, friend ♥︎