Blind Faith

We are often faced with situations and circumstances that we weren't planning for; the loss of a loved one, a traffic accident, an unwanted diagnosis, a pregnancy we were hoping for, a surprise visit from a friend. Not all situations or circumstances are bad, or even unwanted. Yet, they can still catch us by surprise. The question is ... how do we react when we come face to face with them? Do we welcome the situations with open arms or do we question everything about them? WHY is something happening? WHO will it affect? WHEN will we have the answers we feel we need to go forward? HOW will we handle it? WILL it be a good thing?

 

We go on Blind Faith. Blind, not just because we can't see the answers in front of us in a clear black and white, but because we believe that God will walk alongside of us and give us the tools we need to deal with it; whether that be patience, knowledge, or strength.

 

Faith is something that is bigger than we are, stronger than we are, goes deeper into our hearts than what can sometimes make us feel comfortable, and yet, has an unending supply. Faith is what we choose to make of it. It's free. It doesn't have to cost us a thing, other than being humble and perhaps vulnerable when we don't want to be. The cost is up to us. How much do we want to invest in our faith? Faith isn't something someone else can give us, rather we need to accept it on our own. Others can certainly share theirs with us and show us the possibilities, but ultimately faith will always be our own personal choice.

 

How is your faith these days? Does is keep you strong and steady? Does it waiver in its stability on certain days? More importantly, what can you do to strengthen it?

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understandings; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.'

Some Things We Just Can't Control

Are you a control freak? I know there are times when I am and I'm mature enough to admit it. Truth be told I think there are times when we'd all like to know what is going to happen and when. Unfortunately, that could be good or bad. There is such a thing as destiny, which to many is always known as 'God's Plan'. God's plan is something that none of us have any control over and maybe that's for the best. If I knew what was going to happen to me tomorrow I'd probably do one of two things ... first if it was a good thing I'd probably try and rush it to make it happen sooner (and probably mess it up by interfering) or second if it was something bad I'd be so angry and depressed that I'd ruin today. You can see where it might be best for everyone if we were to let God handle our destinies for us and just sit back and go along for the ride. Have faith that God will do what's best for you. If something good happens, that's awesome! If something you would have preferred did not happen happens anyway have faith that God will give you the strength you need to get through it.

Below are a few quotes by Charles Swindoll that I have always enjoyed. I hope they make you stop and think as much as they do me.

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”