Amazing and Faithful Father, You have given me the gift of faith—faith in You, in Your goodness, Your mercifulness, Your enduring and endless love, Your unchanging nature and the fact that You are for me.
I have built my life on faith in You. And the beautiful thing is, that my faith is not a product of my own doing, but rather Your gift to me. So, even in that, I’m not self-reliant. I am sustained by You.
Of course, I have to do my part. I must put in the effort to increase and strengthen my faith. I have to be intentional and disciplined about it; though not rigid or controlled by my intentionality. My salvation and faith are not earned but given to me through Jesus.
Holy Spirit, please lead me in the way of growing and nurturing my faith. Is it reading and studying my Bible? Is it taking time in the morning to say Good Morning and inviting You into my day and my thoughts? Is it reading a devotional, or journaling to You what’s on my mind and in my heart? Is it listening to Jesus music? Is it reading a Jesus book? Is it just sitting with You?
I think it’s all of these things … toggling from one to another as led by The Holy Spirit. As I engage in these things, Holy Spirit reveal Yourself and the many facets of God’s nature to me. Show me what You want me to do—convict me and encourage me. Teach me truth and wisdom.
Then, when life and the enemy fires off fiery arrows at me, I am prepared. These fiery arrows could be difficult relationships; things not going how I want them, inciting anger, fear or disappointment; anxious thoughts; financial troubles or my mind creating the semblance of financial instability or crisis; health issues, sickness; someone just saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. The list goes on and on …
My shield of faith will block those fiery arrows. Scripture will come to mind to set my mind straight. I’ll pick up the phone to call or text a trusted friend. Rather than allowing my mind to spiral, I’ll journal to You writing out what’s troubling me (even if it’s on a simple sticky note). I’ll turn on some Jesus music or pick up my Jesus book to reset my mind and give me a new frame of reference in which to see my circumstance. I’ll pick up my Bible to read, receive comfort, direction, and just be with You.
You and Your gift of faith can keep me well despite what life throws at me. The enemy uses all kinds of devices to throw me off balance and to distract me from You. The more time I spend with You, building my faith—the more surefooted I become to journey through life and not be unsettled so easily.
My hope is in You. You are the stronghold of my life. You light my path. May I seek You out, opening my spiritual eyes to see where You lead me.
In the Faithful and Faith Giving Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
