Lisa called in despair, “The deal fell through on that house we wanted. I’m so upset!"
“I’m sorry, Lisa, but I’m sure you’ll find another house that will be just as nice or better; just keep the faith!"
“You don’t understand, Judi: this house is everything we’ve wanted ! How can you tell me to keep the faith?"
“Because, Lisa, sometimes that’s all you have ."
At this time of my life, things couldn’t be worse, yet I, too, must “keep the faith." My family’s move to South Carolina six years ago has been a disaster both financially and health wise.
My husband had been a successful businessman for over thirty-five years in New York yet South Carolina did not welcome us as we anticipated; actually it dug us deeply in debt. Compounded to that, the environment in this state seriously deteriated both my daughter’s and my health.
Although we have health insurance, our medical bills combined with a declining business wiped up out; we’ve lost everything, including our home .
The irony is that we lived comfortably in Southampton, Long Island yet got “buried alive" in Loris, South Carolina. I don’t get it. My husband doesn’t get it. But God does and I trust Him to see us through this ordeal.
“How can you trust God blindly ?" some ask.
In my life, the Lord has always been faithful and, in time, I am confident that my family will overcome these trials. Although I cannot guarantee the outcome, I am optimistic about my family’s future. When I look at my beautiful daughter, I am reminded of the “faith walk" I had taken several years ago when all odds of having a child were against me.
Basically, although I trust God, I know “blind faith" is not the course for many.
For some, finding faith in God is one of the strongest desires. People genuinely want to believe in God , but don't want their belief to be based on blind faith . If God is real, they sometimes wonder, why is it difficult to have faith in God?
The book of Hebrews says, "that without faith it is impossible to please [God] , for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV).
This strikes many people as a “Catch-22." Many wonder how they can believe in God if He doesn't reveal Himself to them? And, if they don't believe in God or if they are tormented by doubts, He apparently will not hear them or respond to them. How can we solve this dilemma?
Faith Is Trust
When you are a passenger in someone’s car, you are taking a leap of faith. You may not think of it that way, but it's true. Chances are that you have no guarantee that the driver will not be in an auto accident but you [usually] trust the driver to get you to your destination unharmed.
Another example for parents is to trust a baby sitter with your child. As a parent, I am convinced that only I can give the best care for my child , yet there have been times I have needed a sitter. To my “amazement," my daughter has happily survived.
The real question, I believe, when it comes to faith in God, is this: Do you trust that God is real ? Are you living in the reality that God is your loving Father ?
Take No Thought For Your Life
“ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life..." Matthew 6:25
Jesus said this to his disciples in His famous, Sermon on the Mount. His teaching was on placing our hearts on true treasure and was drawing a line between the world and the kingdom of God.
It is interesting how He starts this, because He says, “take no thought." He knows that the thoughts of our heart and mind are one and the same. It is here that the battle is decided. We choose blessing or curse from here. It is here that we can be drawn away.
Jesus says, in Matthew 6:31-33, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Jesus is saying to remove our own thoughts because they are tied up in the treasures on earth. He wants us to take these and “cast them upon Him for He cares for us" 1 Peter 5:7 KJV. We are to think of His kingdom as eternal because it will not fade, and “all these (other) things shall be added unto you." When our thoughts are on His plan and His kingdom, it is then that we can bear fruit. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5 KJV
Do you see what Jesus is doing? He is replacing our thoughts or cares with what? Faith. We take off our own thoughts, and replace them with faith in Christ because without Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5).
In order to have faith, we have to renew our mind. 1 Corinthians 2:12 says, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God…." and verse 16 follows “But we have the mind of Christ."
So we have the mind of Christ! We live in victory and in fruitfulness if we put on the mind of Christ.
For those of us struggling this Christmas Season, my prayer is this: Father God, I ask that You be with us in all our battles. Help us to be mindful that what is worthwhile can be won when we persist. Help us to hold firm in our faith. Help us to believe in our ability to act wisely. Amen.
Judi Lynn Lake has kept up with leading edge business trends throughout her varied and successful career. She had already had her ‘15 minutes of fame’ over and over again before starting her family. Judi and her family now reside in South Carolina but, having been born and raised on Long Island, NY, it is clearly evident that she will always be a "New Yorker." Today, she successfully runs her own advertising agency which handles everything from logos, branding and package design while she continues to work closely with self-published authors from design to promotion.
» left by Lorrie Davids(7,496) Lorrie Davids (1 year 326 days ago.)
Wonderful message, Judi. We have been there also. We may have lost what seemed like all, but we had God. People commented on our great faith. No, we knew there was no other to go to. Where else could we go but to God? We knew who He is and that He is. To not trust didn't make sense. Yes, it was a horrible time in our lives and we knew we'd have trouble now and then. That is just a part of life, but because we knew God was ultimately in control, we had peace and hope. Thanks for saying everything so well. Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(1,875) Judi Lake (1 year 326 days ago.)
LM, I believe many people have lost everything and you're absolutely right? Where else can we go but to God? Without God, I understand how there can be despair and loss of hope; with God there is always hope and peace even through the "toughest of times," huh? (smile) Thanks for commenting and God bless you! Respond to this comment
» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr.(5,176) Robert Melaccio, Sr. (1 year 326 days ago.)
Judi you scare me. I guess great minds think alike. Well at least one great mind, yours. I just got finished talking to my older son about the world and material things. No material thing will ever make anyone happy for a long period of time. once we ytire we seek newere and better and if that is where your heart lies that is where your God does as well. Lose one get one. Yes, hard for us all. I'm also a New York Wall Street type, highly successful there, scrambling here in the Darkness State as in my opinion is Florida. I guess I have to add SC as well. I tired of bailing the socalled educated and CFO, great business minds out and then getting discarded. Trials as the song says "I've had a few" and still do. Well Judi you have read all mine on the topic and wrote a few yourself and you know there is no easy answer as to why doesn't answer prayer as we think. perhaps there is another focus to it all we have to look for? I wish your friend all the best and ceratinly you. AS always RTM Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(1,875) Judi Lake (1 year 324 days ago.)
No, Robert, there is no easy answer; that's why faith is so important. People are expecting me and Gary to "be devastated" right now but what can we do? We moved to a state and apparently did not do our "homework." True, we are loosing a beautiful home, but I have faith that we will move on just fine. I don't think material things are bad as long as "we don't become" what we own. I feel honored to have my mind linked with yours... smile. Seriously, I really think I'm really a very simple-minded person with a lot of opinions. You are wonderful, RTM! Respond to this comment
» left by sue thom from nj (1 year 326 days ago.)
hi judi,
are we reading each other's minds? i just wrote a story about faith this morning. great minds think alike! i am at the trusting point-nothing more i can do. i may not get what i want, but i'm sure i'll get what i need. i hope the same for you,
my best,
sue Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(1,875) Judi Lake (1 year 324 days ago.)
mmm... first Robert mentioning "great minds" than you, Sue... kinda makes me feel good! (smile) I haven't had time to respond to your e-mail but my theory always is that when there's no more that can be done, God's work can really begin. Let's continue to keep each other in our prayers and I know this will be a wonderful Christmas! Respond to this comment
» left by E. Raymond Rock(3,072) E. Raymond Rock (1 year 325 days ago.)
Great article Judy, beautifully connecting eastern and western philosophy about spiritual practice.
That’s why Catholic saints such as St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila squirreled themselves away to study thought by using deep prayer and meditation. This is why Buddhists meditate.
Zen puts it this way,” We study ourselves (our thoughts) so that we can get to know ourselves (our thoughts). When we get to know ourselves (our thoughts) we can forget about ourselves (our thoughts). And when we forget about ourselves, we become enlightened (come face-to-face with God).”
Meditation and deep prayer is a study of thought, (which is a study of ourselves because we are no more than our thoughts - nothing stands behind our thoughts; the thinker is only another thought (thus: no self).
And when we no longer worry about our “selves,” when we understand no self, we are able to see the other. Then true compassion results, the foundation of all the great religions.
» left by Judi Lake(1,875) Judi Lake (1 year 324 days ago.)
E, I don't know how to respond to your comments -- I am both humbled and taken off guard... but thank you very much! Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz(11,087) Teresa Ortiz (1 year 324 days ago.)
Hi Judi, I feel your pain and I hear your faith. God is good. I have a similar story. We pack up and moved to Oregon with nothing but our belongings, 2 small kids and $2,000 in our pocket. And the hardest part was we did this together at a time when we were on the brink of separation. Talk about faith! But God had a plan. he always uses these things to build character and make us more like Him. I am praying for you guys! I think I am going to write you a personal e-mail if that is okay - the teacher and encouragager in me is calling (actually it is the Holy Spirit) Love, Teresa P.S. If you haven't read my article on Confidence = Personal Happiness, I think it might help. Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(1,875) Judi Lake (1 year 323 days ago.)
Thanks for sharing, Teresa - your story is a strong testimony of faith indeed! But it is also a testimony of trust in it's purest form. I am fortunate that I've always had strong faith and am not really "freaking" right now; actually this biggest thing bothering me is the packing... I am confident that it will all work out! Thank God, my business is flourishing so when we move, I can continue with my clients. This is just all part of it and we as believers must believe that it will all turn for the good. Oh, I wouldn't mind at all receiving an e-mail from you - am touched by your thoughts! Thanks so much and we continue to pray for each other (I will read your article when I am free to concentrate, thanks) God bless you, Teresa! Respond to this comment
» left by Avis Ward(11,492) Avis Ward (1 year 323 days ago.)
A statement of courage and faith, Judi. Remain faithful because the battle is not yours, it belongs to our Father. Many of us go through the valley, the key is not to campout. When the enemy starts 'messing' it's because the Lord has 'blessings' with our names on it! Give Him praise because He wins every battle! Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(1,875) Judi Lake (1 year 323 days ago.)
Thanks, Avis for your wise words. I often wonder what people do who do not believe in God. I do thank God that my faith has always been strong but I'll tell you this: I am so not looking forward to packing an entire house and moving... You are a "one of a kind" woman with a very big heart, thank you! Respond to this comment
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