iShineInMinistry

Luke 1:45 (NIV)

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Life throws a menagerie of events and occurrences our way. Sometimes we can have the best week ever, then one small change can detour the course of an entire life. Losing a job, a home or a fiancé, an unfortunate encounter with sin, losing a loved one or whatever you thought was your “it” to make your life complete can shake faith to the utmost. While we can still attend church, read our daily devotions and say our nighttime prayers, we may not feel as faith-filled as we once did in seasons prior. We get to make a decision each and every day what we choose to believe and stand firm on…will we continue to believe the Lord is faithful and live in such a way? Or will we auto-pilot through our Christianity, hoping that no one can see that we are off track?

We all have these moments, whether or not we want to believe it. But, staying in denial will only further harden our heart and give the enemy an opportunity to let that slow fade begin into full-fledged back sliding. Let’s do a little “check-in” to see if we are on the verge of unbelief.

1) How is your prayer life? Is it vibrant? Are you the “go-to” person when friends and family need someone to come along-side them in agreement? Did you use to be this person, but not anymore?

2) What’s your fellowship/church attendance like? Are you going just to make an appearance and not cause any questioning? Can you remember what you heard in the last service you attended? Do you avoid speaking with church-friends in fear that their gift of discernment doesn’t tip them off and they will know something is amiss? Are you spending more time with unbelievers so that you can avoid any form of accountability? Are you staying busy? Do you find any and every kind of time-filler just so you don’t have to be alone with God and your thoughts? Do you look for distractions or any kind of noise so that you do not have to come to terms with what you know is true…you are drifting away from the Lord? When is the last time you truly heard from the Lord?

3) Have you picked up any out of character behaviors/habits? Are you compulsively eating or shopping? Have you started smoking or drinking regularly? Are you finding yourself hanging out in places you would not have even considered 6-8 months ago? What about your life patterns has changed, but not for the better?

All of these little indicators are warning signs to get back on the track of belief. Maybe you and the Lord need a little “heart to heart” where you can pour out all of your thoughts, fears, anxieties and frustrations? Guess what? He already knows them…He is graciously and patiently waiting for you to come to Him. He’s waiting for you as I type this!

Why not come out of this dreary funk that you find yourself in and get back to the one that saves, heals, loves and restores? The process and the time it takes to get back on track will be well worth it. God has amazing gifts and promises for each of us…don’t falter in your faith now, who knows how close you are to the finish line? You may not know, but God does! It will be worth the wait in the end, so be a good and faithful servant who sparkles for Him!

Mark 9:24 (NLT)

… "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"