faith

'"Have faith in God," Jesus answered."  (Mark 11:22)  

"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!"'  (Luke 17:5)

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:7)

“They’re so far away. And things seem to be going from bad to worse. My son has hopped right out of the frying pan into the fire!  I know God can take care of him and the children, but….”   

This was a friend, calling recently to ask for prayer. She had worked herself into a tizzy worrying about her family. They were able to email, send pictures, and talk which was so great! The thousand mile distance separating them, however, overode all that at the moment. She was missing them. She wanted to ‘fix’ things that were going awry in their lives.

The reality is we have no control over people, places or things - whether we’re physically there or not. Yet, when we’re together and can talk face-to-face, or hug or hold the kids on our lap, we sometimes have more calmness of mind during a rough patch.

Sue went on to say she’d been thinking about it quite a bit and that she had faith, but did she have trust? She had faith that God could be with her family and take care of them, but did she trust that He would?

The Bible has about four hundred verses about faith, approximately a hundred and sixty concerning trust.  Faith -- Trust.  Faith is a gift and trust is a decision. Quite a difference.

Maybe you have seen the drawing with a child swinging and a large hand is holding the long ropes that attach to it. Underneath are these words: “Trust. Do I really?”  Today when I pray I will try and remember- have both faith and trust.

Prayer: I have faith in you, Lord. Please help me to trust you more. In Jesus name, Amen.

-sally  kennedy