You Gotta Have Faith!

This past week I have done a lot of reflecting.  A lot of soul searching.  A lot of seeking out what God's plan is.

My faith has been very important to me since I became a Christian and truly found my faith when I was 16.  Prior to that point I was very lost.  I believed there was a God but that was the extent of it, and he could care less about me.  Boy, was I wrong.

My God is a very personal God. My God gives me visions, dreams and purpose in every walk of my life.  My God has seen me through the scariest, roughest, and most frightening obstacles of my life and continues to do so.  Jehovah Shammah. God is ALWAYS with me.

See, I believe you can not be whole and healthy without faith.  Without a hope in someone beyond yourself.  So much of medicine and healthcare has turned its back on the spiritual component.  The uncurable remains uncurable, the hopeless remains hopeless, the broken stay broken.

But faith heals.  Mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally.  Having hope in tomorrow, and what the future can bring...that heals.  I call upon on the name of Lord, and know He will heal.  Jehovah Rapha. He is Healer.

It's hard to remember this sometimes.  When we are really sick or have a family member who is really sick, faith may seem a distant idiosyncrasy.  A unnecessary attribute that only very "spiritual" and "holy" people have.  But really, faith is not so far away. It is within reach and all you need to do is to believe.  Believe that the Lord will be with you, meet you where you at, endure this trial with you, and will provide a way out.  Jehovah Jireh.  He is my Provider.

This has not been my favorite season of life.  There is stuff I would change, and stuff I would not change.  There are things I don't understand, parts of the journey that don't seem clear, and areas of the future that seem very uncertain.  It can be overwhelming.  And certainly Satan would want it to be that way.  "The thief only comes to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly." John 10:10. Jesus wants to replace beauty for ashes, rest for the weary and peace through the trials.  Jehovah Shalom. He is Perfect Peace.

Jesus has many names.  But he is always the same. Never changing. Always keeps his promises. Always loves and cares for me and you.  Is always a God of health, and healing and making us whole. "For great is His love towards us, and the faitfulness of the Lord endures forever." Psalm 117:2

Recently, I saw the most beautiful rainbow.  I was overcome by the peace of Jesus and reminded of his promise. His promises to me.  The dreams he has given me.  The hopes and desires he has placed in my heart.  He is so faithful.  When this journey can be uncertain, God gives you gentle reminders that everything will be okay.

You just got to have faith.