As a pastor, I have found that the top reasons people need to seek counsel usually fall in one of three categories: financial, marital/relational, and addictive behaviors. The problem is these struggles are all extremely personal – and many consider them embarrassing. Seeking help requires much more humility than the average person is willing to yield, so many will continue suffering instead of transforming.
Maybe our struggle is different, but we still admit we struggle with certain areas in our relationship with Jesus. Why do we struggle so much? As students of the Bible, we know can trace our choices back to our repeated thoughts (Prov. 4:23; 23:7; Ps. 1:2; Phil. 4:8). We can blame bad influences, unjust actions, or a flawed upbringing. However, in addition to such realities, unbelief is often at the core of our struggles. Not believing God’s pathway is good enough for our situation is simply called sin in Romans 14:23 (“for whatsoever is not of faith is sin”). Unbelief causes fear and insecurity. Unbelief presses me away from God.
We must learn to choose trusting God!
BUT HOW? Let’s consider how we can increase our trust in God and step forward in faith as we study the last Transforming Habit of Trusting God. As we begin this study, take a few minutes to read Luke, chapter 8. The second portion of Luke 8 can be briefly outlined in this order:
8:22-25- Jesus calms the storm at sea.
8:26-39- Jesus heals the demoniac.
8:40-48 – Jesus heals a woman who has been sick for 12 years.
8:49-56- Jarius’ daughter brought back to life.
1. Distractions and Discouragements
I am certain we can all agree that a life-threatening storm, a demon possessed man, a 12-year health crisis, and the death of a 12-year-old girl are distractions that overwhelm with discouragements! No doubt many here feel surrounded by distractions and discouragements. Take note of the Lord’s admonishment in verse 50 – Do not be afraid, only believe!
2. Desperation and Diligence
I am certain that we would also agree that a life-threatening storm at sea, a man possessed of many demons, a health crisis lasting 12 years, and a 12-year-old girl who has just died would put any of us in a desperate state of mind, but did you note what that desperation pressed everyone to? The disciples diligently sought the Jesus, the demons diligently sought the Jesus, the sick woman sought the Jesus, and this desperate father diligently sought the Jesus. Positions of desperation will press us to diligently seek help. The difference lies in where we diligently seek that help! Once again, remember the urging of Luke 8:50 – do not be afraid, only believe.
3. Direction and Doubtless
Now we must consider what these unwanted distractions, discouragements, desperations, and diligence brought them to. These struggles brought them to Jesus…Jesus delivered them…and their faith was increased! Doubt was removed!
Church of God, do not be afraid, only believe in what Jesus has said in His word!
Do you remember the Olympian who pulled a hamstring, and his father helped him limp to the finish line? Why did he finish? He pushed through discouragement and crushed dreams to finish what he started. He didn’t want to be a quitter. He wanted to give his best to the very end – no matter the outcome!
I wonder, if we as Christians, give up too easily. We sometimes logically reason our unbelief and sinful choices with thoughts like:
o God will forgive me…
o God will understand…
o This must not be God’s will – it is too hard! Why does God make it so difficult for me at times?
Can we hear ourselves say things like this? Can we hear the absurdity of our words when we hear them in the context of what we know about Jesus? Are we rehearsing correctly about Jesus? Read of the faithfulness of our Savior for us:
SELFLESS:
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:3
SERVES:
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
SUBMISSIVE:
“Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42
You might be thinking, “But I have messed up so much!!” THEN, don’t forget who God is:
God is merciful and forgiving
Psalm 86:5, “For thou, O Lord, are ready to forgive and are plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” (Lam. 3:22)
God is compassionate
Psalm 86:15, “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”
God is faithful
I Cor. 1:9, “God is faithful….”
God already knows
Psalm 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
What is the “thing” that stops your walk with God? Is it:
o Fear of what could happen or has happened?
o Pride over your wants?
o Acceptance among your peer group?
o A lack of spiritual discipline?
o Emotional wounds you scratch and let bleed repeatedly?
Do you see that rooted in all of these is choosing to not believe God’s promise or God’s way as good for me and my situation. For example, God says in Luke 8 in such extreme and challenging circumstances — do not be afraid, only believe. However, we often run to embrace fear and anxiety when God is saying to rest in Him.
We need to reset our view with a fresh view of our heavenly Father…and then put a plan into action! Consider these…
5 Commitments to Grow Your Faith in God:
1. I will start by getting right with God & man. (Acts 24:16)
a. Confess – see my sin the same way God sees my sin
b. Forsake – put sinful choices to death, reject sinful choices
c. Replace - old habits with new; hate with love; etc....
d. Lean on Jesus – I Peter 5:8 – get it in your head that Satan is out to get you!
e. Partner Up - find a prayer and study partner (mentor)
2. I will stop blaming God for hardship connected to my choices and start pursuing righteous living. (James 4:6-10)
3. I will study the Bible privately and with my church. (Rom. 10:17; I Pet. 2:2)
4. I will rehearse truth. (Rom. 12:2; Phil. 4:8; Josh. 1:8)
5. I will live in the reality of God’s presence. (Josh. 1:9; Heb. 13:5)
Faith is worthless in itself. If faith is not properly founded, it can lead to nothing other than disaster. One night, cars sped along the main highway between Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi. The drivers had faith in their cars and in the bridges over the streams. They passed over some bridges at fifty or sixty miles per hour. Everything was lovely, the concrete spans stood firm over the expanse of flowing water, and the cars went on their way. Suddenly, the twin taillights on the front of a truck melted into the road and disappeared. The driver of the truck caught only a glimpse of a black gap in the concrete before he too plunged into the stream below. Breaking glass, he succeeded in freeing himself. He swam to shore but before he could reach the highway, other cars zoomed smoothly up to the gap and vanished. Frantically, he tried to flag down three others. Their drivers ignored the dripping, scarecrow figure and sped on into the void. Each time there was a single booming splash, sometimes followed by a few hoarse shouts and screams. (Source: Let Me Illustrate, Donald Barnhouse)
Do you want to embrace the transforming habit of trusting God? Do not be afraid. Only believe in Jesus. We all choose to believe something about your situations in life. Choose to believe the One who knows all, is in all places at all times, and is all-powerful. Choose to believe the One who is truth itself and has the track record to back it all up!