It’s not always easy to keep the faith. Even when we know better, fear rears its ugly head, controlling our thoughts, our words, and our actions. It’s particularly difficult when one crisis after another seems to become the story of our life.
What are you afraid of?
I often feel like I can’t handle any more troubles. Over the past decade my husband and I have faced multiple tests of faith.
The scariest was a case of mistaken identity that threatened to put the love of my life in state prison for four years. An innocent and good man raised up in the ways of the Lord, prosecutors portrayed my husband as a menace to society.
We couldn’t fathom how such an awful thing could be part of God’s plan. Two years of pouring money into the best defense attorney in town was financially devastating. Analyzing police reports to determine a way to prove that his car was nowhere near the scene of a bad road rage incident on the freeway, and thinking about what could happen to him if we failed, was emotionally draining.
Our only hope was God. His miracle came one week before the case was set to go to trial. My husband’s record expunged and an apology from the prosecuting attorneys was what we walked away with. Most importantly, we could breathe again and were reminded that God is always faithful.
All those moments I cried in fear… and I simply didn’t need to.
It took every second of those two years for me to learn and accept that I had no control over our terrifying circumstances. That experience prepared my faith for the next chapter of life. It set me on a course I never would have dreamed I’d be on. Only God could transform me like He did!
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13
The Greek word for temptation is peirasmos, which Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary defines as: “trials” with a beneficial purpose and effect…divinely permitted or sent.
Are you crying tears of fear?
There isn’t a single thing you’ll face in this life that hasn’t already gone through God’s hands. If He allows it, you can bet somewhere along the way, when the time is right, He will work it out for your good and for His purpose. Whether to strengthen your faith, teach you patience, or to give you an opportunity to bear witness to others, God is molding you in preparation for what’s to come – equipping you for the next chapter in your story.
“You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” ~ Matthew 8:26
Fear not. God wins. No matter what happens in life, rest in His capable and mighty hands.
Rosann Cunningham is a Christian Author, wife to the man of her dreams, and stay-at-home mom to two delightful little girls. When she’s not out for a jog or having giggle fests with her daughters, she can be found writing for her blog ChristianSuperMom, and ministering to women whose husbands are in a season of unemployment, at her other website UnEMPLOYED Faith. Her writing inspiration for both projects comes from a strong desire to glorify God while sharing the heart of her journey through a life of faith.
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Thanks for your encouragement Rosann! I have been posting about similar things lately…God is great! I am glad I followed you over here today!
Be blessed!
Thank you so much, Shannon!
Wow, Rosann, I had never heard that story. I can not imagine how frightening that was yet you held onto a thread of faith no matter how small or fragile. That thread of faith connected you to the One who held your future and works for your good.
It was very scary, but what was most amazing to me through it all was how strong my husband was. His faith never once wavered. I was supposed to be strong for him, but I was a mess. He would tell me over and over again not to worry. It would all work out, and there would be no question that it was the hand of God that resolved things. Boy was he right about that!
Great post, Rosann! That is such a terrible trauma to have to go through, but I do truly believe that God works all things together for good. The most difficult thing for me is that some challenges and temptations are simply a result of this broken world and are not sent by God, while the Bible is clear that many other things ARE from God. We can never know what is a product of brokenness vs. a direct hand of God, but we can always know that God works all together for good and something good, therefore, WILL come of it! Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you so much, Natasha. I have often struggled with the same questions. Did God bring this or simply allow it? One thing I know is He has brought good from everything difficult I’ve ever had to face. I was truly fascinated by the way Vines Dictionary defined temptation though. To say that it’s a trial with a beneficial purpose and effect…and that God will not allow more than we can bear was very encouraging to me.
Barbie, I just wanted to thank you for having me as a guest contributor. It’s always an honor to spend a day or so in this beautiful 5 Minutes For Faith space. 🙂
Blessings,
~Rosann
You’re most welcome Rosann. It’s always a pleasure having you here. And I cannot imagine what you or your husband went through during this time. What a lesson on trusting when fear stares you square in the face.
I did not know that….well in the end only God can help us so when you think about it, there is no reason to be afraid since He is ALWAYS there.
Yes, Anne, you’re right! He is always there. It’s just easy to fall into our human weakness during the storms of life. Thankfully, God understands. 🙂
My goodness, girl. You have learned some lessons hard…I can’t even imagine.
“There isn’t a single thing you’ll face in this life that hasn’t already gone through God’s hands.” what a wonderful reminder.
thank you so much for sharing this and for encouraging me to let go of fear!
Thanks Nikki! The lessons were worth it for the transformation work God did within me. 🙂 I’m so much stronger in my faith now.