Today, more than any day in recent memory, I needed a reminder to just have faith. My job has been completely overwhelming this year, which has led to even more stress and sickness than usual, and this past week has been one sucker punch to the stomach after another. Three student crises – two while I was out of town for my best friend’s wedding and another one on a day when students were supposed to be on break – nearly have me throwing up my hands in surrender, waving a white flag, and doing whatever else is necessary to get the world to give me a break!
So, as it usually works with me, I turned in complete desperation to Scripture. (It’s amazing how my daily readings take on new life when I read them from the point of nearly giving up.) While I had passed this chapter a couple weeks ago, my bookmark was still set at Hebrews 11 – a chapter on faith that has spoken to me numerous times over the past several years. What struck me today was in verse 6:
“It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that He exists and that He cares enough to respond to those who seek Him.” (emphasis mine)
Why is it so hard to believe that God will come through for us? That he always has our best interests at heart? Erik and I are both looking for a new direction and fresh start in our careers, but when one door after another keeps closing in our faces, it’s getting really hard to believe that this desire for something new is a longing God has placed in our hearts. Why would God give us these desires, then not come through for us about them?
While pondering that question, I went back and reread an
old blog post on having the faith to plan a wedding when there was no groom in sight. God knew He had a husband out there for me, and He knew when he would be coming –
I just had no idea! The thought that finally got me going on planning a wedding with a non-existent husband was, “Do I really believe God has a husband for me? If so, why don’t I start acting like it and preparing for him to show up?”
That thought is going to get me through the rest of this week, too. If I really believe God is going to move us into a new season in our life together, why don’t I start acting like it? Why don’t I start preparing for a new career, a move, a baby, or whatever else I feel God has placed on my heart? I don’t know when those new things will come to fruition, but I do know I want to be ready.
Lord, today please help me to remember all the times you’ve asked me to prepare sight unseen for the good things you had in store for me. You always came through with the promised goodness, even if it never seemed to be on my timetable. Please show me how to prepare for even more changes in my life, what steps I need to take, and how to keep the faith when all faith seems lost. Remind me of all the ways you’ve been faithful to me, and help me focus on that truth in the midst of seemingly unending stress. I love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As a former University Resident Director, Career Counselor, Certified Personality Trainer, and high school Spanish teacher, Laura has quite the “scattered” background — with one underlying theme: education! She writes to teach and inspire women on topics related to faith, family, and lifework. She is also a resume writer, specializing in resumes for moms, career changers, and new graduates.
