|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
Breaking the waverly path... - 7/2/2008 11:27:51 PM
|
|
|
klemency
Posts: 6
Joined: 7/2/2008
Status: offline
|
Hello there! I would like to introduce a topic about faith and in particular, consistent faith. It's something that is told many times throughout the Bible, with many chapters speaking of men of great faith who were blessed as well as those who had much trouble with their faith as they encountered the hills and valleys during their life.
Soo....my question is: Is it bad to have wavering faith?
I'm curious, mainly because I see it so often, not only in other people but also within myself. I'll use myself as an example.
I believe in Jesus Christ and his purpose for us...Yet somehow I question the level of my own faith. I find myself saying, do I believe enough, and why do I feel unsure? Do my actions show my faith and are they of an honest heart? If I doubt myself, does that mean God was never with me and I'm not supposed to be a part of his kingdom? Often times I imagine being at the entry way to heaven and Jesus asking me what I did in my life to glorify him...I blank...'what would I say?' I think to myself... And honestly my answer would be, I believe that you died for my sins, you were in my heart and thoughts a lot throughout my life (I prayed to you and talked to you).....but I know I could have been more consistent in my faith and believed more during my trials in life...
And speaking of trials, it's as if I forgot who God is when trials crop up.. about halfway into the trial I realize...WOW...I must have FAIL written across my forehead! Of course this for me leads to realizing my mistake and making better choices...but its funny how in the midst of these things I suddenly forget that God has a bigger plan, that just because something didn't happen the way I wanted it, it doesn't mean there isn't more in store. That no matter what types of trials I am in i need to remember that God will provide!...so then I stop backsliding with my attitude at this point and grow a little...I promise to be stronger next time...but notice it happens again (just the situation is different).
Thoughts anyone?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/3/2008 5:01:58 AM
|
|
|
Liveloved
Posts: 1884
Status: offline
|
The answer you are looking for is Jesus. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Spend quiet time each day in God's word getting to know Him. There are lots of Bible reading plans out there but to really come to the place of unfaltering faith, you need to know the One you are placing your faith in. Then He and He alone will strengthen your faith and grow you into His likeness. And He does that THROUGH the trials. They are the places of proving your faith, making it real so that you experience His life within you more and more. You might begin reading the gospel of John and asking Jesus to reveal Himself to you more and more. He will. Sit quietly and listen and learn from Him. Bless you! 
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/3/2008 6:49:32 AM
|
|
|
DSmitty
Posts: 52
Joined: 7/2/2008
Status: offline
|
Hey Klemency... welcome to the human race!
The fact is that we all struggle. I can't even tell you how many trials my family and I have gone through in the last five or six years; and how many times God has miraculously come through for us. Still, when the trials come, we get very uncomfortable. But I've learned not to guilt out behind it, and I'll tell you why:
The Bible says that the carnal mind is at enmity with God. That it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. As Christians we too often make the mistake of thinking that if our mind struggles then we don't have faith. I know that I have faith regardless of the struggles of my mind and my flesh. My faith does not require my mind's approval. Yes, there have been times when I have had a word from God and I "knew that I knew that I knew" as the cliche goes. But still, it wasn't my mind's posture that made it real faith. Real faith is spirit based, not intellect based.
I also agree with Liveloved that we have to look to Jesus. When we get introspective and start looking at ourselves and our own performance we begin to cut ourselves off from the source of what gives us the power to be more than what we are in the natural. It is Christ in me that is the hope of glory. My hope of glory isn't that I perform well or that I have such wonderful faith. Paul said, "the life that I now live I live by the faith of the Son of God..." Notice he didn't say "faith in the Son of God", he said, "the faith OF the Son of God." In other words, it's not even my faith - it's HIS faith!!! It's all about Him.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/3/2008 8:47:36 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1599
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Hi Klemency,
Wavering Faith is natural.
When God invited us to love Him He didn't want to force our hand in any way. He wanted us to make a free choice on whether to love Him back or not. So He allowed doubts to creep into our minds - you call it wavering Faith.
When this happens, ask God to help you and give you strength to fight your doubts.
When a man brought his son to Jesus to be healed; Jesus said: "Everything is possible for the person who has faith."
The man replied: "I do have faith but not enough. Help me to have more!" (Mark 9:23).
Jesus saw the man had little faith and healed his son.
And when you get to meet Jesus in Heaven say to Him: "I tried my best, within the Faith I had, to believe in you as best I could. I loved you and tried my hardest to live my life as you would have wanted me to."
It's difficult to live life as Jesus would want, especially with all the trials and tribulations that come our way, but it shouldn't stop us trying.
_____________________________
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
My Book My Blog
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/3/2008 9:23:35 AM
|
|
|
URForgiven
Posts: 1120
Joined: 3/22/2008
Status: offline
|
Faith is the absence of doubt. Thank God our faith, as Christians, is not in ourselves.
The problem is, as others have mentioned, that you are focusing on yourself instead of He who is the object of your faith. It is in Jesus that we have placed our faith.
We all doubt ourselves, and we have good reason to doubt ourselves. That doubt in ourselves is healthy and true, it is meant to drive us to the One who is able, to the One on whom we can depend and trust.
It is not about struggling in your own strength, it is about resting in the strength of the God who has created the universe and everything in it. In our own strength everything is hard, but there is nothing that is too difficult for Him. It is resting in who you are as a Child of God. Learning to abide in Christ, who through His indwelling Spirit now works in and through you. That is not inactivity, but Christ activity in and through you.
I doubt myself all the time, but I never doubt my Lord and Savior, for I know that He is able.
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/3/2008 9:42:50 AM
|
|
|
HisFish
Posts: 612
Joined: 8/3/2005
From: Rocky mountain way
Status: offline
|
Take heart klemency, we're all there with 'ya. not a one of us is so strong and solid we never waver. You will have times though that you have the strength of a lion, and you'll marvel because you know it wasent you, but Christ who gave that strength to you.
_____________________________
The theology of the present aims at the deification of man, but the truth of all time
magnifies God . C. H. Spurgeon
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/3/2008 10:04:55 AM
|
|
|
bobby1654
Posts: 4
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
|
I like URForgiven's response. Our salvation and our standing before God has nothing to do with what we have done, but in what Christ has done for us. Our faith in Jesus makes us perfect in God's eyes because we are clothed in the righteousness of His Son. Nothing we do can make us better than perfect. Our meager attempts at good works are important in exercising our faith and in showing gratitude to Christ for His gift to us, but they can never make us worthy of the gift or cause God to love us more than He already does.
_____________________________
"In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33b
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/3/2008 10:42:41 AM
|
|
|
deermousie
Posts: 1901
Joined: 9/26/2007
Status: online
|
HisFish said it well; we all struggle at times (more often than not, it seems). What helps me is to look at verses, like John 10:28:
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
and ask myself, "Is it true? (Yes!) Can God lie? (No!) Does it mean me?" The context is God's sheep who have heard His voice: I heard His word and He opened my dead heart and made it alive so I could want Him. Dead people don't want to know God because they don't feel or know anything.
So when I'm feeling punk and God can't possibly stand a sinner like me (ha! Spiritual attack! Smell the sulfur and resist the devil - he will flee) then I remember I am alive because I want God and no one can take me out of His hand. It's true, and nothing I do makes it untrue. So I thank God, confess my sin if there was any, and go on, knowing He sees me and is working things out to end in good (Rom. 8: 28 and don't forget 29).
God bless you, dear one. Keep on keeping on, and rest on His Word.
_____________________________
Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/3/2008 12:13:06 PM
|
|
|
SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 905
Joined: 2/13/2008
From: the poconos
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: klemency
Soo....my question is: Is it bad to have wavering faith?
I'm curious, mainly because I see it so often, not only in other people but also within myself. I'll use myself as an example.
Hello Klemency,
Wavering faith, is it good, or bad. I think it is unavoidable. We are tied to our emotions, and when we have a bad day, or have something bad happen to us, we go down and we take our faith with us. The true blessing which we can be so thankful for is our restoration. He is faithful even when we are not, even though when we are not, it is hard for us to see. I have had doubts, all surrounding myself, at times. Walking a straight line is really difficult, as He told us it is. The path is narrow, it is hard, but He is there to guide us. So stay strong, and in your times of wavering, remember how much He loves you, so much so that He died for you. Instead of letting that bring you lower, you must let Him lift you up. Take care.
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/3/2008 12:16:20 PM
|
|
|
GroupW
Posts: 2911
Joined: 11/16/2007
From: Up in the hills of Colorado (very BIG hills...)
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD
Hello Klemency,
Wavering faith, is it good, or bad. I think it is unavoidable. We are tied to our emotions, and when we have a bad day, or have something bad happen to us, we go down and we take our faith with us. The true blessing which we can be so thankful for is our restoration. He is faithful even when we are not, even though when we are not, it is hard for us to see. I have had doubts, all surrounding myself, at times. Walking a straight line is really difficult, as He told us it is. The path is narrow, it is hard, but He is there to guide us. So stay strong, and in your times of wavering, remember how much He loves you, so much so that He died for you. Instead of letting that bring you lower, you must let Him lift you up. Take care.
Nice answer. Some things aren't "good" or "bad" in and of themselves. Some things just "are". It's what we do afterwards and as a result that matters. Sometimes perseverance is all that God asks.
_____________________________
“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant and wrong.” -H.L. Mencken
"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -Bertrand Russell
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/4/2008 3:34:38 AM
|
|
|
DSmitty
Posts: 52
Joined: 7/2/2008
Status: offline
|
If I may be so bold, I'd like to also offer a few thoughts about faith.
The Bible teaches us that faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God. The word translated "Word" there is "rhema" which is the spoken Word as opposed to "logos" which is the written Word. The logos becomes a rhema when we get into His Word (logos) and He makes something come alive for us. But as well, He can speak to us through other things (not that other things are equal in authority to His Word, lest I be misunderstood) and in any situation. The point is that God speaks to us and we hear it, and that's where faith comes from.
Unbelief is not just not believing something. There are a lot of things that I don't believe... I don't believe in the Kuran. I don't believe that if I swallow a watermelon seed a watermelon will grow in my belly. I don't believe I'm going to win the lottery tomorrow. Am I in unbelief? No, because those aren't things that God has spoken to me about.
The Bible says that unbelief comes from an evil heart. So it's a heart issue, not a head issue. Unbelief comes from an evil heart not because we struggle mentally to comprehend; but it happens when faith for something is made available and we reject it because it doesn't match what we want or how we want things to be. It's when God speaks to us and we don't like what He has to say and so we choose a lie over the truth.
I hope that helps.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/4/2008 9:39:45 AM
|
|
|
klemency
Posts: 6
Joined: 7/2/2008
Status: offline
|
Thanks everyone, your posts have really touched my heart. The big thing that I noticed after careful reflection and prayer is that the negativity and doubts I have coincide with what I am doing in life daily. I find it hard to balance EVERYTHING in life especially at the speed we are seemingly expected to get things done (church, family, friends, work, school, bills, etc.). The times that I question these things the most, are the times where God has lost 1st place in the list of priorities. Lately, I've been putting my job first, and have been greatly disappointed with some things that have occurred...since I put this first over God, at first I was very resentful and selfish...I didn't understand why things came about the way they did and thought that I KNEW for certain that they should have been different. I was angry in general...I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason why though...I realized that I am focusing too much on myself and my own power rather than God's plan and his strength. I realized that I had put my job over God...which is extremely foolish. But I've also noticed a trend where God is first then 2nd, then 1st, then 2nd, etc. and those times he is second are the times where I'm most waverly.
Now that I've pinpointed this, the issue that I'm having now is that I am stressed out, when I sit to read the bible I can't stop thinking about all the other things I need to take care of...I can't seem to focus and clear my mind. I'm worried yes, and I know I shouldn't be because God is in control no matter what. Even when I think this I can't shake off the feeling of stress.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/4/2008 10:29:32 AM
|
|
|
URForgiven
Posts: 1120
Joined: 3/22/2008
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: klemency
Thanks everyone, your posts have really touched my heart. The big thing that I noticed after careful reflection and prayer is that the negativity and doubts I have coincide with what I am doing in life daily. I find it hard to balance EVERYTHING in life especially at the speed we are seemingly expected to get things done (church, family, friends, work, school, bills, etc.). The times that I question these things the most, are the times where God has lost 1st place in the list of priorities. Lately, I've been putting my job first, and have been greatly disappointed with some things that have occurred...since I put this first over God, at first I was very resentful and selfish...I didn't understand why things came about the way they did and thought that I KNEW for certain that they should have been different. I was angry in general...I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason why though...I realized that I am focusing too much on myself and my own power rather than God's plan and his strength. I realized that I had put my job over God...which is extremely foolish. But I've also noticed a trend where God is first then 2nd, then 1st, then 2nd, etc. and those times he is second are the times where I'm most waverly.
Now that I've pinpointed this, the issue that I'm having now is that I am stressed out, when I sit to read the bible I can't stop thinking about all the other things I need to take care of...I can't seem to focus and clear my mind. I'm worried yes, and I know I shouldn't be because God is in control no matter what. Even when I think this I can't shake off the feeling of stress.
We live in stressful times, and our faith is going to be tested. When I focus on the troubles in my life, then my emotions logically follow my thinking right down into the pit. It really is about keeping our eyes upon Jesus, and trusting Him in whatever the situation is. Lay your troubles at His feet, give them all to Him, He is willing and He is able.
"In this life we will have troubles", our Lord has assured us of that. But, He has also assured us that whatever the trouble is that He will be with us through it. Even though you cannot see through it now, you will look back on this time and see that He is faithful and true. And because of that, your faith in Him will be stronger.
You will know you have given it over to Him when you find rest. Rest in spite of what is happening. It is not magic, it is His promise...
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29
A yoke is used to train a young oxen by putting it with an older, stronger ox. The older, stronger ox carries the load, while the younger one learns and grows in strength. To an observer it would appear as if the two were both working, but in reality the older, stronger ox, is carrying the load.
Jesus is saying, "Stay connected to me - bind yourself to me, and I will carry your load, and you will learn from me and about me, and the result will be you will find rest."
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Breaking the waverly path... - 7/4/2008 4:18:01 PM
|
|
|
rcjames
Posts: 5660
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: klemency
Do my actions show my faith and are they of an honest heart? If I doubt myself, does that mean God was never with me and I'm not supposed to be a part of his kingdom?
Well Shucks let's start here; what actions are you doing that show an honest or dishonest heart?
Why do you doubt yourself? Are you doing the things the Scripture say you are suppoed to be doing?
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
