Faith Construction Part 1
Are you waiting on God for something? Let us pray for you.
“Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” (Matthew 15:28)
She came like a dog, begging Jesus for a morsel of mercy. This woman, this Gentile, she broke all the rules. But she was desperate. Her daughter was “suffering terribly from demon-possession” and she knew Jesus could help. When He seemed to ignored her she persisted until finally he pronounced her daughter healed.
What moved Jesus to action? Was it the woman’s audacity and persistence? Was it an emotional ploy that elicited his sympathy? Scripture tells us it was her faith. She had mountain-moving, rule-breaking, life-giving faith.
I was walking the other day when I noticed a sign for a building contractor that read “Faith Construction and Remodeling”. It got me thinking about how our faith ought always to be “under construction.” Faith needs to grow, not be held captive in a tidy theological box.
Our faith should always be expanding, deepening, and sending out shoots. It develops by undergoing adjustments and alterations. Like clothes that have grown too small, faith wants us to feel uncomfortable until we find bigger sizes. The trials we encounter are intended to serve that very purpose – to enlarge us, not demolish us.
Sometimes we step back from faith. Perhaps we believed for things that never happened and never fully recouped. But it’s wrong to think it’s safer to maintain a distance and not risk jeopardizing what little faith we think we have left.
A close friend of mine died last year. Even as her body grew weaker and weaker, I had faith that she would recover, right up to the end. I was deeply distressed at her death, but I realized that my faith in God was not misplaced. I don’t regret one second of my prayers for her. I just saw in part.
Wouldn’t you love to hear the Lord say to you, “Woman [or man] you have great faith”? The Canaanite woman’s faith was great because it was unusual. There are situations in your life and mine that call for unusual faith. Let’s put on our hard hats and let our faith be a part of ongoing construction.
Lord, I yearn to hear You say that I have great faith. Would you increase my faith that I may have unusual faith? Amen
Question: What’s holding you back from letting God reconstruct your faith?
6 Responses to “Faith Construction Part 1”
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OH,Cathie,it`s way past my bedtime,but when I read what you wrote I became very concerned.Mostly because I`ve walked in similar shoes.I found Christians to be the most confusing to the point were I thought of just giving up*my usual thing when things made me feel dumb,worthless,a waste of whatever,& I could never be as good as them!*…satan must have had some real laugh parties on my account. I wasn`t ready to put an end to my life,but I sure needed to find a purpose.
Cathie,first of all I`m with Jamie,please contact that mentor site or a pastor,someone & if the first one doesn`t help…find another! just seek…don`t pass up this chance!…I must have been a real desperate case because I didn`t have just one mentor—He sent me *5*…yes five women that where the most real *not perfect* women (one has since past)I had the good fortune to meet. Months can go by & I won`t hear or see any of them,but I can call them anytime & know they have my back. I was in need of some advice lately…one call & a time was set for coffee..& it ended up that the best advice was something the one who past away had said to this women I was talking with….I think it`s so awesome,I still have my *5 women* who showed me I do have a purpose…& God has a plan for me! Has it been easy..NO!…A girl at work told me I have the worst luck…I smiled,because I think the difference is…no matter what is going on He is right there!…He has my back…my front…& both side…..I said a prayer for you,Cathie,now it`s your turn!…God bless her!
Cathie I know that sometimes things do not go the way that we would like and it seems like God has abandoned us. I want you to know that God will not abandon you. His promise is that He will never leave nor forsake us and God’s promises are always fulfilled. Sometimes what happens is we build up expectations of what a fulfillment of His promise should look like and when that doesn’t happen we lose confidence in God. But the problem is not God it is our expectations of Him. When God says He will never leave nor forsake us some people think that means that they will never go through hard times. That is not what God is promising here. Some people think that everything they want they will receive. That is not what God is promising here. What God is promising is that no matter what our circumstances or possessions in life He will always be with us helping us to serve Him and others no matter what we have. He gives us strength and wisdom to face every circumstance.
I don’t know why you feel that God has turned His face from you but I want you to know that is not the case. Let me again invite you to connect with one of our mentors and share with them your struggles and hurts and search with them what God might be saying to you through these painful circumstances.
I am thankful for all that I have will have to God My faith wavers when I look listen it is sorrow fight 4 life. So what is faith, why have faith, pray ask believe and still life is full of pain and sorrow. I pray trusting asking and believing. I give my free will to God using it to accept Him as my God and Jesus as savior. I ask as child God lead me through Jesus Saints, angles to do His work , bring others to Him , I confess I am a sinner , I am sorry for my sins because of the pain they cause God. I plea take my from this loneliness take from me these desires. nothing i am not worthy God has turned His face from me.
Hi Cathie, I get the feeling that things are not going well for you right now. Am I right? Let me invite you to talk with one of our online mentors. They are a safe place to share your hurt and know that you will be pointed to the truth about God and His love for you. Just fill out the Mentor Request Form at http://powertochange.com/experience/talk-to-a-mentor/ and one of them will get in touch with you by email.
Blocking faith. Unanswered prayers, brokenheart, world hunger, same life 4 those who believe and those who don’t, that a person can have a change of heart declare belief and be 4given,
Sometimes,like today, I find I have to read & reread these devotions a few times.I know what I`m reading,but to put it into my own perspective..it`s difficult.There was a time in my life when I would just give up…it was easier I guess,but God has been teaching me to be like this woman. To push past my comfort zone & to be more persistent. To have no regrets,never to give up,but most of all I want to hear God say I have great faith….Yes,my faith is under construction!