| Lysa TerKeurst |
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Last year I had emergency surgery on my ears. And while the pain went away, there is still a really loud, constant ringing in my left ear.
Because of this ringing, I've had many sleepless nights. But one night in particular proved to be more than I thought I could handle. The screeching in my ear reached an all time high and not even medication helped. My throat tightened as frustration of this situation threatened to spill out in a million tears. I could feel myself slipping over a terrifying edge ... that edge where hopelessness steps into the moment and you feel too weak to resist it.
I whispered, "I'm slipping God. I can't stand this another minute. Much less five more minutes. Or five more hours. Seriously God. I can't. I'm trying to be brave. I've begged for Your healing. And I truly believe You are healing me. But I'm freaking out. And I'm so sorry if 'freaking' is a bad word — I'm still on the fence about that one. But God, I feel myself falling and I can't figure out what to grab onto."
This is where faith gets awfully messy, isn't it?
Faith.
Most days, I'm like a little kid on the swing going higher and higher without fear. I know the swing will hold me. I know the chains are secure. I'm bold. Assured. Confident.
That night though, I was terrified of the swing. The chains felt more like unraveling threads with a screaming me dangling at the end. My faith felt small.
But my faith was right in front of me. And when one falls, out of instinct they grab onto whatever is right in front of them.
And I just want you to know that even small faith is completely able to hold you. It held me that night. Through the minutes and hours I didn't think I could press on.
I started recounting all the ways God made sure my faith was front and center for this slip. I thought about the ways I'd seen His hand even in the previous days.
Recounting His faithfulness secured the chains. Showed me I wasn't dangling by a thread out on my own.
One of those ways was discovering my husband's sound machine is a gift. That crazy sound machine has aggravated the stink out of me for years. But when put on the rain setting, it helps soothe the screeching in my ear.
Without having told my pastor about my ear, he sent me a text saying he was praying for me and God had put 1 Kings 18:41-46 on his heart.
And what are those verses about?
Rain. The sound of a heavy rain.
A rain that happens in between two vastly different displays of faith in Elijah's life. One minute he's swinging with great faith so bold and secure he calls fire down from heaven.
Then only a few verses later he's dangling by a thread as he runs and hides in a cave.
The Lord comes to Elijah in a gentle whisper and shows him what to do at the end of that thread. "Go back the way you came." (1 Kings 19:15a NIV)
God was saying, "Backtrack and remember all the places I've been faithful in your life. And know with assurance. And boldness. And confidence. I AM. I AM the same faithful God."
So, I let these words slip into my soul. I turn up the sound of rain. I grab onto my faith right in front of me. And discover, I am held by the great I AM. I guess I just wanted to be that friend today who reminds you, no matter what you're going through — the same is true for you.
Dear Lord, thank You for being so faithful, even when it feels like things are slipping away. Help me today as I let Your promises and truth sink deep into my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog for a fun giveaway and an update on her hearing.
Click here to visit Lysa's blog for a fun giveaway and an update on her hearing.
If you feel like things are slipping and you are out of control,Unglued, by Lysa TerKeurst, was written just for you. Take a few minutes to read the first chapter by clicking here.
Order your copy of Unglued by clicking here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
What past trials has the Lord helped you through?
What past trials has the Lord helped you through?
It is so important that we remember God's faithfulness. It can carry us through those dark times in our lives. Write down three specific situations when the Lord has proven faithful even when you felt hopeless.
Power Verse:
1 Samuel 12:24, "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you." (NIV)
1 Samuel 12:24, "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you." (NIV)
© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
Lysa TerKeurst
Lysa TerKeurst is a New York Times bestselling author and speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ.
As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has led thousands to make their walk with God an invigorating journey.
For over 15 years, her message has enabled women to:
Lysa’s personal adventure of following God captured national media attention when she and her husband adopted two teenage boys from a war-torn orphanage in Liberia, Africa. They never imagined their decision would start a chain reaction within their community, which inspired other families to adopt over 45 children from the same orphanage! Lysa’s amazing story led to appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The 700 Club, USA Today newspaper, Woman’s Day magazine, and Focus on the Family radio.
Today, Lysa and her ministry team at Proverbs 31 Ministries encourage 500,000 women through their daily online devotional. In addition, she co-hosts a 1-minute inspirational radio program aired on more than 1,200 stations around the world. Lysa’s blog averages over 80,000 avid readers per month. Plus, she touches hearts through their monthly magazine, P31 Woman.
Lysa is the award-winning author of 14 books, including her newest New York Times bestselling release, Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God Not Food..
Other noteworthy books include:
Lysa was a Gold Medallion finalist for her book, Leading Women to the Heart of God, and a People’s Choice Award finalist for, What Happens When Women Walk In Faith. In addition, her articles have been published in Focus on the Family magazine, Marriage Partnership, and Crown Financial Ministries’ Money Matters.
Each year, Lysa is a featured keynote presenter at more than 40 women’s events, banquets, and retreats across North America, including the Extraordinary Women conferences and Focus on the Family’s women’s conference, Renewing the Heart. In addition, she hosts the annual She Speaks Conference, which has helped thousands of women gain the tools to pursue God’s calling on their life.
In the midst of her busy schedule, Lysa is an everyday woman who simply seeks to glorify God through her life and family. She and her husband, Art, reside near Charlotte, North Carolina, with their five priority blessings named Jackson, Mark, Hope, Ashley, and Brooke. Join Lysa and discover the everyday adventure that God has waiting for you!
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