Do I believe God or do I just believe in God? Sure, they sound the same. Is there any real difference? If there is a difference, does it really matter? Is there a way to believe God more? What is there to believe other than the existence of God? All these questions have been running through my mind these past couple of days. I'll tell you what started it all: the ever looming future.
Like many, I worry about my future. Like forreal worry. Just to name a few of my worries: Have I chosen the right career? Will I get into grad school? Will I survive this semester? Have I taken on too much? Will I ever get married? Will I ever have kids? Will my health continue to get worse? Will I ever have this picture perfect life I see others living? and most of all: Where does my money go and will I ever make enough??? (money worries are the worst) Those are just to name a few. Told you I worry...believe me now??
As I was stressing out about everything and anything, I thought...do I believe God? Do I believe what he has promised all of us throughout the Bible? I mean sure, I believe in God. I took that first step of believing he exists years ago. I believe with all my heart that my creator exists. Not only do I believe he exists, I believe he is good. I can't begin to put into words the rationale behind why I believe God exists. It comes from my soul and it overwhelms me with the truth of him. Okay, so step 1: believe God exists. Got it. step 2: I believe the Bible is true. Every word of it. As a new believer I struggled with this step. Do I have to believe everything? Are all the Old Testament stories real? Isn't it antiquated? But I came to the conclusion...the Bible is true and God's word (2 Tim 3:16) As for the old testament, I believe in Christ and He believed in a literal old testament...so I do too. (See Matt 24. Jesus refers to the days of Noah and the Ark). Okay, so got step 2 covered: I believe that the Bible is the real deal. Step 3: Do I believe everything God has promised me in the Bible? Do I believe what God says he will and won't do? This step is a bit more fuzzy in my case.
If I believed in all God has promised, would I be so completely worried about every little thing in my life? Would I be trying so hard to create my own future and my own path because I am so scared if I don't, no one will? I don't think so.
If I did believe all God has promised I would be living one heck of a life here and now.
In Ephesians (yes, I am still on this book), Paul touches on the idea of belief and all the power we have through God.
And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. Ephesians 1:13-14
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:19-20
Okay..these verses are a lot more powerful than I originally realized. If you really take time to digest what these verses mean...its incredible. It simply is amazing. Read the verses again. These promises are for you.
Paul ensures us that God has fulfilled his promises and that he will continue to fulfill his promises. He has given us the Spirit of God to guide us through this life on earth. The Spirit is a gift and a tool that we often forget. The Spirit is God's wisdom, power, and love at our very fingertips. Use it!
In the second verse, Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding the fact that when we believe in Christ, we are given God's amazing power. It is the same awesome power that raised Christ from the dead!! This power is used in our favor when we trust in Him. In Mark 9:25, Jesus says, "What do you mean, 'if I can?' Anything is possible if a person believes." In John 11:40 Jesus says, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?" So should I believe Him? Do I believe that he can handle my future? He can handle my fears? He can handle my grad school? He can handle my relationships? He can overcome my sickness? The answer is yes yes yes yes yes! He can. Why do I forget that? He can handle anything I throw at him. For he has the power to raise the dead and to do much much much more than we can imagine. I will see God's glory if I believe Him. Anything is possible if I just believe him. Anything. Not just the little things. Anything.
So tell me, can I trust God and his promises? I can. I can trust a God that has never backed down from a commitment, a God that always fulfills promises, a God that has the power to raise the dead, a God that never leaves, a God that never disappoints, a God that is everlasting, stunning, all powerful and at the same time loving, forgiving, gracious, and giving. He will never leave me like others have. He will never lie to me, He will never hurt me, He will be the rock I have never had. I can trust him with my future.
So today and every day, I will pray like the man in Mark 9:23 "I do believe but help me overcome my unbelief!" Help me believe you God. There is nothing too big for you to handle. I can give you everything without fear of hurt or rejection. You never disappoint me and you will fulfill every promise you have ever made.
Happy Monday! (is there such a thing? haha. kidding...kind of.) love love love, dana
I was emailed this video. Very interesting and powerful. Watch it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoIDjj86fwI
Believing in God's promises is a continual struggle for me also. If I truly believed his promises, would I have such a hard time letting him take control of my burdens? The Christian thing to say is "Leave your problems and worries at the feet of the Lord and He will take care of you." It's true, but its just not that easy. It is what we have always wanted to do, but when it comes down to it we continue to hold tight to our worries and doubts like they are something dear to us. Or we think that we deserve to suffer these worries and emotions. People can say all the good Christian words they want, but the only one that can release our strong hold we have on our worries, problems, hurt, pain, etc. is God. The prayer from Mark 9:23 you put at the end of "A Powerful Belief" I will commit to pray also, so I can get to that place where I can let God take these things from me too so I can begin to be the woman he knows I can be.
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