Day 108 - October 1 - Evening thoughts
Joélle and I are back home tonight, while Cherié is spending the night at the hospital with Connor. He and she are doing well - I just spoke with them and he's in good spirits as they get ready for sleep. Joélle is as even-keeled as she always is, and I - well, I've been feeling the clutches of anxiety and panic this evening. We immediately started to lift that up in prayer, because my head knows the truth - but every once in a while my primitive brain (or my limbic system or my emotional child or somebody) decides that it's time to panic. It seems that we spend much of our time fighting off lies, or getting disentangled from lies, or wrestling with what turn out to be lies. Lots of lying going on in my head, and it gets overwhelming. Clinging to the truth is exactly that - clinging, and that's pretty hard to do for any period of time. You can help by praying that we would have discernment to know the truth, since that's what's going to set us free anyway.
I noticed that someone made a comment today about how their faith goes from weak to strong to weak seemingly instantaneously. Let me say that mine's the same way (I really need to get moving on the next part of the Atrophied Faith series!). One of the things I've been thinking about in that regard, however, is that strengthening my faith is a lot like learning to do fine muscle control with a muscle that's only seen large motor control. Try to pick up an egg with your toes and legs sometime - you surely have the strength to pick up such a small thing, and yet you don't have the control. So what you end up with is either a crushed egg or these broad, sweeping movements of your leg muscles as you try to daintily place the egg back down. What you have is strength, but not finesse.
Faith, at least my faith, seems to be like that. Sometimes I seem to have the faith thing wired. Then something comes along around whatever the issue is, and I'm suddenly struggling to believe. What I'm hoping is that just like practicing the art of egg-lifting with my toes would improve my ability to do so, so also will exercising my faith result in stronger faith and better control of it. As that arises, it seems likely that there will be less fluctuation and more steadfastness. Here's hoping, anyway.
Please be praying for the preparations to bring Connor home - I don't know what the projected schedule looks like since the surgery turned out the way it did, but we weren't that far from bringing him home anyway. We've got much to do before we're ready to get him here, and not much time to do it.
We are really looking forward to what God's going to do in and through the boy. Thank you for sticking with us in this. We love y'all.
Eric
----------------------------------------
Print This Page
posted by Eric Williamson @ 9:54 PM
9 Comments
Links to this post
9 Comments:
Eric,
My sentiments exactly re: faith, truth, lies, belief, etc. So refreshing to know (through ConnorWatch) that I'm not alone and neither are you. More baby steps to come, in the arms of the Lord. Keep on keeping on!!! We are praying on...with much love that only comes from Jesus, Amen!
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
You have to STAY in faith - not begin to doubt, worry or question.
Faith is joy, peace and expectation.
I am a Believer so it is my new nature to believe in the Power of GOD.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
I am like you! There are days when my faith is so strong and I am not worried about a thing, then there are days when I am like a basket case of worry. I am sure God just shakes His head and smiles, saying, "I am still here!" :)
I think anyone in your shoes would have the same feeling. It's like I told you before, that's when you need to remember that there are so many people who have that faith for you and are lifting you up in prayer.
We do pray for you, Eric. We do.
Two verses popped into my head as I read your post:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Mark 9:24
24Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
Both of these verses have been a prayer and a comfort for me many times. And look at Peter...faith enough to step out of the boat, and even though he was walking on the water, he wavered and started to sink. He cried out for Jesus to save him, and Jesus reached out His hand and caught Peter. Praise God that He knows how weak we can be, and He is right there to reach out and catch us every time!
Praying for you again today. Praying that you will be able to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. Also that your faith will continue to be strengthened daily, even as you struggle through the ups and downs, sometimes moment by moment - you're not alone - I think we all struggle with that!
I will also be praying for house plans, and everything that needs to fall into place before Connor comes home. Praising God that He has the plan and we can trust Him for what's next!
~Amy
Scripture says a lot about "truth" and our "faith". I would encourage everyone including myself who are posting on Connors blog and the Williamsons to keep The Word in front of our "feelings" and emotions as we are so easily deceived by them. The evil one counts on us living by what we feel and not the truth of who we are in Christ. Now is a really good time to remind each other of what God says to us!
TRUTH
Psalms 15:2 NIV
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart
Psalms 25:5 NIV
guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalms 26:3 NIV
for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
Psalms 31:5 NIV
Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.
Psalms 40:10 NIV
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.
Psalms 86:11 NIV
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalms 119:30 NIV
I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.
Psalms 119:43 NIV
Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.
Psalms 145:18 NIV
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
John 3:21 NIV
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
John 4:23 NIV
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
John 4:24 NIV
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
John 6:47 NIV
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.
John 7:18 NIV
He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
John 8:32 NIV
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 14:6 NIV
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 16:20 NIV
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
John 17:17 NIV
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Ephesians 6:14 NIV
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Colossians 1:5 NIV
the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
FAITH:
1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 15:14 NIV
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
1 Corinthians 15:17 NIV
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
We live by faith, not by sight.
Galatians 2:20 NIV
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 3:11 NIV
Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."
Galatians 3:22 NIV
But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:23 NIV
Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.
Galatians 3:24 NIV
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:25 NIV
Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
Galatians 3:26 NIV
[Sons of God] You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,
Galatians 5:5 NIV
But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
Galatians 5:6 NIV
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Ephesians 2:8 NIV
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
Philippians 1:27 NIV
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
Philippians 2:17 NIV
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
Philippians 3:9 NIV
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Colossians 1:5 NIV
the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2 Timothy 2:22 NIV
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Titus 1:1 NIV
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness--
Titus 1:2 NIV
a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
Hebrews 6:12 NIV
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 11:13 NIV
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
Hebrews 11:39 NIV
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 13:7 NIV
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
1 Peter 5:9 NIV
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Revelation 2:19 NIV
I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
The truth is we have been redeemed and our bodies do not belong to ourselves. God does not promise us a smooth, comfortable life. On the contrary He promises us He will never leave us orphaned. He is our hope, the author and perfector of our faith. He is Truth and without Him we are nothing.
He does say we will have trouble and suffering that will drive us to our knees in complete surrender to Him. But somehow we will have joy, even in that. Joy for eternity, not happiness in this fleeting existance WE call life. We can curse Him, a "Holy, Holy, Holy" God, to our own shame. Or we can worship Him and praise Him for not giving us what we deserve, death/seperation from Him for all eternity, counted to us as righteousness.
Words to live by--a great post, Anonymous! I am reminded of the words, "Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him"--Job 13:15. To know that He loves us, that He gave us His Word of Truth and desires our obedience, to realize that He saved us--this is the One we can trust, despite our present circumstances. This is the One we praise--with songs, yes--but with our hearts, our words, our minds and all of our strength, too. Connor, those are still yours to use!
oconnorj21@gmail.com
Hello
It's Janet
in Tennessee.
Sharing today from Joyce Meyer's
Ending your day right Devotional book
Page 270
I quote: " Learn the Power of Patience
For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away ( and enjoy to the full ) what is promised. Hebrews 10:36
Patience is powerful because it frees you from the control of the devil and the circumstances he brings to upset us. However, patience -- which is a fruit of the Spirit -- only grows through trials. It is during these times that you can develop the ability to remain strong and stable.
Patience is required if you are to see the fulfillment of God's promises in your life. So it is important to develop control over your thoughts and what you say when you are faced with challenging circumstances. It isn't easy, but with God's help you can do it.
Actively pursue the patience of Christ and it will lead you into His power. Then you will be able to accomplish God's will and receive His promises. "
When we had our 5 months and 5 operations with our son Ryan.
God gave me two special truths.
One was " The love of God surrounds us all "
The other was a James verse I did not want to hear at the time.
I will give you the Living Bible version.
James Chapter 1 verses 2-4
2)Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy. 3)for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. 4) So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete."
Of course the rest of the chapter is a good study time too.
verse 5 .. says" if you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him and he will gladly tell you ....etc."
One day at a time ...sweet Jesus!!
He knows your hearts
He knows you love Him.
My prayers that He will give you what you need each day!
Still with you in Tennessee.
Janet O'Connor
our con'td prayers for you as you trust in the Lord and walk by faith--even tho' we do not have in plain sight what God still has planned...I pray it includes being able to sing b/c even tho' I sing off-key, I still love to sing!
Cheryl
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home