When God Makes It Difficult to Run Away – Choose Faith
1
Thessalonians 3:4-5 (NLT)
Even while we were with you, we warned you
that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. That is why, when I could bear it no
longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong.
I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had
been useless
1. Faith is ultimately a choice
Faith is a muscle, the more we exercise, the stronger it
gets
Faith is a habit, the more we choose to practice it, the easier and
more natural it gets over time
James 2:22 (Msg)
Isn't it obvious that faith and works are
yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are
"works of faith"?
It is by continually exposing ourselves to the
Word of God through devotions and other means that increases our mental and
emotional faith
Romans
10:17 (NIV)
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the
message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
2.
Make our faith choices from the
perspective that God has already empowered us, not from the perspective
that God is going to help us
Exodus 13:17-18 (NLT)
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God
did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory,
even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said,
"If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and
return to Egypt." So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness
toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for
battle
3.
Ultimate faith is when we can still choose to be contented, even
when we are in the midst of complex difficulties and unanswered prayers
2 Cor. 6:10
(NLT)
Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We
are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we
have everything.