Have Faith Don't Worry

Recently my wife and I have been going through a rather difficult situation. We lost our jobs and our former company is going under. We are short-selling our house. My wife is six months pregnant with our first child. We didn’t have company insurance so our medical bills are $1,000.00 per month. We need many things, and we sort of need them now.

Have you ever been in such a situation? I imagine you have. Now the issue becomes how we go through this time. I’m not saying I’m in the wilderness and I’m not saying that my own mistakes caused this situation. I’ve sought God and I firmly believe that this is a change of season. When the brook dried up God told Elijah to go to the widow. God always supplies everything we need, but sometimes the resource He uses changes. I’m here to encourage you if you are in a difficult time, and I want to discuss appropriate attitudes while in the trenches.

It’s been over three months now since we lost our jobs. I’ve spent many days fired up in faith, and I’ve spent many days frustrated. Some days the next place feels like it’s almost here. Some days I feel I have no idea what to do. I know you’ve been there, whatever you’re going through. Maybe you have a medical situation and healing just hasn’t appeared. Maybe you have a family situation that never seems to improve.

But God has taught me some awesome principles during this time. I can’t be down in the dumps, I can’t be discouraged, I can’t be downtrodden. No, I can’t see the next place now, but I know it’s coming. No, I don’t see the next job now, but I know God has it for me. I tell you that now is the time for patience, now is the time for faith, hope and love. Now is when God is watching and sees your faith. How will you respond?

Let’s be honest. We know that sitting around upset or angry will get us nowhere. We must first examine our faith. Remember that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). Without faith you won’t receive anything from God (James 1:6-7). Faith is the key. If your faith is not intact, you cannot be assured you will move forward. If you do and your faith isn’t right, it’s only because of God’s mercy and grace. But I’m going to have those with my faith. When God looks at me I want Him to see ever-increasing, unshakeable faith.

So how is your faith? Don’t tell me your faith is good if you are angry or upset? Don’t tell me you’re walking by faith if you’re out of church and God’s presence.

Now is the time for boldness. Now is the time for unspeakable joy. This is where you show God that it doesn’t matter what goes on in the world, you trust Him. In the world you will have trouble, but Jesus overcame the world. And what victory overcomes the world, even our faith. Right now this world seems to be experiencing one crazy situation after another. But you can rise above all that. I know you want to be there now, have it now, do it now, but it just doesn’t work like that.

By faith and patience we inherit the promises. Cast not away your confidence which has a great recompense of reward. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made none to God. Don’t use vain repetitions; your Father knows what you need before you even ask. Only seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything you need will be added unto you.

What an encouraging group of verses. Right now get fired up. Turn to someone, your dog if you must, and boldly say, my God supplies all my needs. I have everything I need. My God created me for good works and the Spirit reveals them to me. First John says I have an unction and I know all things. I know where to go and what to do. Glory to God.

I don’t care what happens in my life. When God looks down He’s going to see a bold, thankful, joyful, faithful, rejoicing Christian. Now sometimes our sins or harmful actions bring negatives on us. If you were a bad employee, maybe you should have been fired. If you smoke, you can’t yell at God if you get sick. But if that happens God will reveal your errors to you. Then you can repent and get back on track. Praise the Lord.

It’s gut check time. Every day it gets harder, longer, more annoying, more stressful. What are you going to do? I’m going to say it loud and proud; I have everything I need because God provides for me. I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread, and I’m in Christ and righteous and I won’t be the first, glory to God.

So where are you at right now? Are fear, doubt and unbelief beating you up? Are you out of the Word, out of church and out of God’s presence? Are you still going through the motions but losing your fire? Go back to God’s Word. Go back to God’s promises. Go back to your revelation knowledge that God’s Word is true and God never lies and that all His promises are yes and so be it to those in Christ.

Tell God you love Him, you trust Him and you give Him your life. Ask Him for wisdom, because He graciously gives it liberally. Your confidence and your expectation will determine your harvest. Decide that they will be where they need to be, standing on God’s Word and God’s faithfulness.