Staying in solid, firm faith isn't always easy is it?

James 1:8 describes the battle, "You can't make up your mind! You waver back and forth!"

This kind of double-minded faith is a rattling sense of instability. It's restlessness in all you do, think, feel and decide. Double-minded faith retains the option to disobey (read that again!). When disobedience is our back up plan we are on unstable ground!

When my husband and I got married, we agreed that divorce was simply not an option. Why? Because if it is, when we face difficulties, when we are challenged, when things get hard and the pressure is on, it will be the obvious and easy escape. If we retain the option to quit on each other, our faithfulness is constantly challenged by that single weakness.

The same is true in our relationship with God. If we waver and vacillate between trusting what we feel at any given moment and God’s promises and direction, we live in a constant state of restlessness. We simply cannot trust our feelings. They deceive us. I repeat, our feelings are not trustworthy! They are subjective, easily unsettled, constantly changing, and deceitful above all things! As lovers of the Lord, we simply must decide. We have to commit wholeheartedly, over and over again, to trust God!

Maybe you’re facing difficult choices today? Maybe you are having a hard time truly maintaining hope in things unseen? Maybe you’ve been praying about something for years and don’t sense God’s presence in the situation? Maybe you’ve been aware of God’s invitation to rest in Him, but have opted to work in your own strength instead? Whatever your personal circumstances are today, let me encourage you with this - when we are hard-pressed, we have to choose to stay anchored to Gods truth, plan and promises. He is faithful.

There is a truth - a promise - from God in His word that gives us the hope, the resolve, the "want-to" to choose to trust Him every day, despite – in spite - of the forces against us. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 promises, "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you setting you on a firm foundation and will protect and guard you from the evil one."

If you woke up today wondering if you can really trust God, you can. If you find yourself vying back and forth between God’s way and your own way, set up camp in God’s court! How? By praying. By asking. By believing that God IS faithful. Choose today to trust that when you ask, He WILL strengthen you and sturdy you. God’s promises are your protection. They will give new strength, trustworthy direction and revived hope. He is faithful.

Prayer: Lord, steady my restless mind. Anchor my soul in your truth. Give me courage and discipline to smother ANY other options. I cast you away spirit of doubt! You must leave! I send you to Jesus to deal with, away from me!! I have a sound (sound: free from injury or damage, in good condition, robust, enduring, untroubled) mind in Christ Jesus. Today I chose you! Amen.