Where is our trust placed?

by Tina Y. Gerber – McCurley

It's easy to have faith when things seem easy and life is good. Yet, what happens when the ground crumbles beneath us?

We face so much stress these days from our work environment, health conditions, financial considerations and in our relationships. I always admired my Mother's faith, she was a good example and prayed constantly. My Mother understood the importance of everyday life, she not only survived, but grew and thrived.

However, her life was not an easy one. She taught us to love God, despite having an abusive husband, tormented by alcohol. He was an adulterer and a negative, self-loathing man who was always angry at God. These seem to go hand in hand very often.

Have you experienced a significant life crisis which has shaken your sense of spiritual well-being and/or mental health? Faith, somehow, is something which remains. In the Easy-to-Read Version, ESV, it says, “So these three things continue: faith, hope, and love.” 1Co 13:13a. These continue because God does. Yep, Faith is still there, when we experience pain, disappointment, when we feel anger and become enraged, when we hurt and feel despair or disbelief and are left wondering why. Our emotions might get us to question or blame the very one who loves us the most. I believe God does carry us in our brokenness, and that is Faith's action.

Lately, I have been wondering about death as I grow older. Perhaps it's because my husband has been in ill health. I also know I have more years behind me than in-front of me. I have many friends who have lost a spouse and are on a new journey of Faith and understanding.

Sometimes, I hear a non-Christans say, "I don't believe in God" or "Why would God allow my loved one to suffer?" Many I talk with don't believe the Bible to be factual. Some are determined to convince themselves and others, those who believe have been brainwashed, maybe by a narrow-minded person (a.k.a my husband or my Church) and feel religion is wrong. That's uneasy for them. I know my Faith guides me, and not all things can be seen, that's not a surprise, but I continue to believe in my Lord and Saviour.

Faith lives in-between the tears, the heartache, and pain and is experienced amidst the struggles in life, if we will open to Jesus. God is my cornerstone, my rock. Many come to love God and grow in Him at different rates, and in different ways. It is the Spirit which opens our hearts, we can't do that ourselves, we must simply respond in belief when He initiates. It is my hope and confidence God will reveal Himself to you and it is His desire to be known.

He is the same God who is able and has always been able to do "more than all we could ask or imagine according to the power [His own power] that is working among us" Ephesians 3:20-21.

I trust Jesus, as He is “the same yesterday, and today and for ever.” Hebrews 3:18 - King James Version - KJV.