My Beautiful God, how thankful I am to be Your child! You are so faithful and gracious with me … and I am so undeserving. Nonetheless, You continue to show me Your goodness as well as Your strength and power.
It’s hard to always believe. My faith waivers when things look bleak. But then The Holy Spirit reminds me to set my eyes on You—the Maker and Sustainer. A simple prayer connects my mind to You. “Jesus I love You. Help me to believe.”
You don’t castigate me or get angry with me for doubts and times of unbelief. Rather, You invite me in, to lay them before You. Then The Holy Spirit may work in me to increase my faith.
I’m always amazed in these times. Something happens that encourages me. It may be a word from a friend or a stranger. It may be encouraging news when all I’ve seen is barrenness. You sustain me in those times. How blessed am I!
I want to walk on water like Peter, Lord. I want to trust You with all my heart. I want to run to You instead of away from You when doubt creeps in. Holy Spirit help me do this! I cannot do this by striving or muscling my way. Instead, reveal to me the path to increase my faith, grow closer in my relationship with You, and strengthen my trust in You.
I have a feeling that it involves prayer and more time with You. I have a feeling that it is inviting into my daily life—not segregating faith from other parts of my life, like work or business. No, it’s You being the center of me—interwoven into all that I do and who I am. I surrender to You. It’s been my experience that it’s not an all at once surrender, but a slow gradual surrender. My complete surrender cannot (because I’m human and still have sin) occur until I meet You face to Face.
And oh boy, has the journey of surrender been sweet. Why? Because the more I give to You, the more You show up in my life and “give” to me. It reminds me of Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
In the Faith Building Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen
