We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
About a year and half to two years ago I began to realize that I was living the safe life and not the Faith life. Faith is proved by living it out, not just saying it. Oh sure I didn't leave God when the going got tough. Where would I go?
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:67-69
Believing that Jesus is LORD is faith, it is saving faith. But we aren't supposed to stop there. We must continue to work out and grow our faith throughout our lives. Faith is trusting God. He promises to guide us at all times. He promises never to leave us or forsake us. Now either I believe that or I don't.
The bottom line is, faith requires taking risks and I couldn't honestly say that I was doing that. I began to ask God to make me a risk taker. He answered and told me to step off the cliff and trust that His unseen Hand would hold me up. I obeyed and began to live without the safety net. I prayed that I would always live without the safety net and He has answered.
I loved this new freedom that I had. It was exciting. It was living life to the full. Now I have to confess that I'm getting scared. Fear is not faith, it is doubt. He has never failed me so why do I doubt Him now!? I keep looking for the safety net and when I don't see it I get scared. I need to focus on Jesus and trust Him to hold me, not on the safety net. The mighty Hand of God is far more secure than any safety net ever was or ever will be.
Oh Lord please forgive me for not trusting you in these circumstances. I love you with all my heart and want more than anything to please you, to live a life in absolute, whole-hearted faith. Please help me to stop looking for the safety net and to trust you to guide me in these circumstances. Please calm my anxious heart and increase my faith. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen
What is your safety net?
A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!
20 comments:
Jump! You'll be pleasantly surprised where God will place your feet.
love and hugs~Tammy
Often we look for the safety net when we only need to exhale and trust GOD fully. He's our net. We can walk by faith in Him.
Be encouraged precious friend. You are right where GOD wants you. He's working in you.
I love you.
Your words describe me as well. I like to know exactly what to expect. I'm a planner and my husband is not. Like you I need to step out on Faith and let God do the rest. He has never failed us, has always provided for us and I know He will continue to do that as long as I keep my eyes on Him. Just as Peter walked on the water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, but when he looked down, he fell. Thanks for sharing your heart. It has given me some things to think about. I'm stepping out in faith believing that God will help us get the car we have chosen. He said He would give us the desires of our heart and I have to add according to His will because He knows the future.
Blessings,
From my heart to yours,
AliceE.
Jesus is my safety net. Originally,it was NOT by choice, but by circumstance. Now, I love living out my life knowing GOD has a perfect plan. Yes, some days I still struggle, b/c like you I am a planner. As another posted said: "JUMP."
Blessings, Andrea
I have to remind myself daily to trust in the Lord. It is so hard especially in the days we live but I know He will provide everything we need. Thanks for the reminder!
Christy
Really good. I'm in the midst of "risk-taking."
Melanie@Bella~Mella
How brave of you to ask God to make you a risk taker! Now that is faith Edie!
smooches,
Larie
Oh Edie:
When I saw the title of your post I knew EXACTLY what you were posting about because you and I have talked about this before - and this is right where I am with the LORD - right now! BUT--- He is so faithful in showing me the way from His Word and by His Spirit. Just a few minutes ago I read these words from my own past journal entry:
TRUST-IN His Timing
RELY-ON His Promises
WAIT-FOR His Answers
BELIEVE-IN His Miracles
REJOICE-IN His Goodness
RELAX-IN His Presence
Come near to God and He will come near to you ~ James 4:8
HE IS GOOD!
...and that was just on half of one page!
God is faithful and our trust of Him must be proven by our FAITH - now our sight!
I'm with you all the way girl! We're trusting God for it all!
Stay in the WORD - to draw near to Him! I'm there too!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
[JESUS - the One I EXTOL]
It's OK to be a planner, so long as you commit your plans to the Lord (And your plans will be established). Proverbs 16:3
You need to ask God to uncover the source of your fear. Because if you have been trusting in Him all along, truly, then whatever is in your path must be something that is big in your mind; big and unconquerable from your past; or just unknown and perceived fearful.
God knows your heart, Edie, and He wants to keep growing you. Look at how He has brought you along so far, by your own words!
Don't leap just to leap. Lay it all at His feet, know His peace and understanding. Then, GO!, as He directs.
It is all about Faith. It all comes back to Jesus.
I needed this today Edie!! God knew that I did and He sent me right here to you!
"The mighty Hand of God is far more secure than any safety net ever was or ever will be."
Amen to that, sister!
Praying you will remember that Truth and fall freely into His mighty hand.
Oh Edie, how I needed to read and hear these words. Not just for today but for a long time. I trust; I have faith in the One Who Created me... sometimes!! But the other 'sometimes' is that old time self who needs to know what tomorrow will bring.
I am grateful for your words, your reminder. I have read the other comments and needed their advice and wisdom as well.
May the LORD be the net as we learn to walk that trapeze wire. (When I was a little girl, I wanted to walk one after going to the circus. I got to in summer school once... the teacher placed the masking tape on the floor and that was my wire!! No need for a safety net of any sort. : ) ) So I did not learn the lesson then. Today is my day!
LORD, guide and guard us as we walk Your path, Your wire. Amen.
~ linda
Well, I am Queen of the Safety Net. But I saw the funniest video (it kind of reminded me of me!). It's a Christian video on trust.
If you want to watch it:
http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=02931550966926bab1a3
What I get out of the video is that Jesus doesn't want us to have a safety net. He wants us to fall and see what happens.
Praying God gives you the trust you need.
Causes me to reflect upon a couple of studies that I've been involved in lately....Believing God and Crazy Love, as well as an awesome book I read late in the winter. In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, awesome book about faith and not having a safety net so to speak...just journeying with God taking Him at His word walking while holding His hand. He is our safety net. ;-)
You have written some great thoughts here, I'm pondering them.
Love ya,
Yolanda
My problem is I see others with faith falling and hitting the bottom and that puts doubt in my head. I wonder if my faith is strong enough to keep me afloat in these rough seas.
Edie,
I don't know what to write here-it seems so well said by everyone already. But I really love your open heart-I can see it is broken before the Lord, and that is the best place to be.
Love, Debra
I enjoyed reading this. I can't think of a thing to add that hasn't been said, but I had to leave a note to say Hi. And of course I could not write, "Great Post"! (even though it was!!)
Oh, I did think of something to add. There is also a middle ground. There are people that are afraid to take risks and then there are the ones who seem to thrive on them, (no one I know of course!).
Have a great day!!!
I loved this post, Edie! God is working this out in my life too! I want to keep my eyes on Him, not my circumstances!!!
I'm waaaaay scared of taking risks. I don't think I know how. I don't mean risks like playing netball on an injured knee when the specialist told you not to, or riding the biggest roller coaster in the southern hemisphere. I mean real risks. Risks that may see me ridiculed, or put my finances on the line. Living by faith is an ideal I admire, but I'm afraid it's not something I'm doing well at all.
As a new Christian I was so happy when I realized I had the gift of Faith! It has always been something I am thankful for because I know and understand first, it is a gift and 2nd the Lord is the author and finisher of it but it is in the working out of it that is my part! Risking or letting loose of control, however we choose to word it( LOL) is often when we see just how deep rooted our faith is. I pray often Lord let me decrease and you increase and may my faith go deep and that I can glorify my Father every step of the way! I fail alot but thank goodness for grace and mercy! and some days I must just walk around singing....Trust and obey, for there is no other way!
Love you Edie!
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