Whether you’re struggling through a rough spot in your marriage or feeling discouraged on the job, I wrote this for you. You might be facing challenges with a hard-to-handle toddler or teen. Believe me, I understand how you feel. Maybe you’re trying to lose 10 pounds or finish a project that you just can’t seem to complete.
When we face difficult circumstances, discouragement can creep up on us. Then we need a supernatural touch of faith to keep going. We must believe that no matter what happened yesterday, no matter how we failed, every day brings the promise of fresh starts and new mercies from God. Since January 1st, I’ve prayed every day, “God, increase my faith.”
Faith Ventures
I need more faith right now than ever before. My husband and I just took a significant leap in the biggest faith venture of our lives: together with a friend, we signed a contract on a store front space in order to open a new church in our Middle Eastern city. We paid a year’s rent and taxes to the government. Our first meeting is February 9th, but I have so many questions. Can we get the place repaired, painted, and ready in time? Will we have the money to buy everything we need? What if no one comes? Thoughts like these make me shake in my boots and ask, “What on earth have we gotten ourselves into?”
Of course your faith venture looks different than mine. Maybe you are:
- Praying for a child who has made bad choices.
- Starting a new job or project.
- Hanging in there with home schooling.
- Trying to write a book or finish a dissertation.
- Caring for an elderly parent.
No matter what challenge we face, we need a fresh anointing of faith and strength to keep moving forward.
In God’s perfect timing, I happened to pick up the book Believing God by Beth Moore, just as we embarked on our newest faith venture. My biggest take away from the book is the call to choose what to believe and to declare truth when my faith falters. Beth outlines a declaration of faith in five statements:
1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God’s word is alive and active in me.
It may sound crazy, but I’ve been repeating these five statements to myself—out loud when I can—on a daily basis. I’m amazed at how just saying these words makes faith and hope rise in me. (By the time I get to statement number 5, I’m practically preaching it!)
So wherever you are and whatever you’re dealing with today, hold your head high and keep smiling. Keep walking forward. Keep believing. Keep praying. Keep taking baby steps. You are who God says you are. You can do all things through Christ. God’s word is alive and active in you.
Thank you, Betsy. I so needed this reminder this morning. My daily prayer is that I I’ll be faithful, even as He is faithful.
Amen, LaNette. That’s a great prayer. You are a woman of faith with a lot on her plate, and you manage so beautifully.
Wow, I needed that reminder today, Betsy. I often forget to make those awesome affirmations of faith daily. When my body is weak and tired I get weak in the faith-building and faith-declaring truths.
Thank you for the encouragement you give us.
Thanks for the encouragement, Sandy. I’ve been thinking of you. Hope you’ll be feeling better very soon.
“I’m amazed at how just saying these words makes faith and hope rise in me.” I’ve always heard if you tell yourself something long enough, you’ll start to believe it. How much more true it is when we repeat God’s truth over and over. Great post, Betsy!
Yes, some days I forget to repeat these things, but mainly I just repeat it to myself at least once a day. My kids laugh sometimes, but I don’t care. Thanks for reading, Sabra.
Thanks Betsy. That Beth Moore book is an excellent one. We need to stand firm in God’s word. Do we really believe what we say we believe?
Yes, I’m loving the book. I’m preaching it to myself these days because I need it. Blessings to you. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks, Betsy! This is so encouraging. Our sermon yesterday was about meditating deliberately on God’s Word and promises. We really are what we think, and it becomes obvious when we go through trials.
Blessings!
Lisa
Yes, that is so true Lisa. I’ve been thinking about how what’s inside comes splashing out when we go through trial. And I’m praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit, so that love splashes out instead. (I’m SLOWLY memorizing the first verses of Ephesians to help me choose what to think about!)
Congratulations, Betsy! What a wonderful accomplishment to open a new church! My family and I will be praying for your success.
Hey thanks, Deborah. I REALLY appreciate it. 🙂
Great post and encouragement, Betsy! I need more faith right now, dealing with a difficult job. I am praying for your new church! I love your blog, thank-you for sharing from your heart and from God’s Word! I am always blessed when I read your posts! God bless, Holly
Oh, I hope your job situation straightens out Holly. Hang in there!
This was exactly what I needed to hear today. I am starting to wonder if the goals I set this month are too much and I’m starting to worry. This was a great reminder to take it one day at a time, one baby step at a time.
Bless your heart, Andrea. One baby step sounds good. Your goals DO sound like more than I could handle when I see them on your blog. I was thinking you were Superwoman!
Thank you dear friend you are such an encourager and women of God…… Yip! I love drinking coffee with you. I always come away blessed and encouraged. Feeling deeply cheered on by your perspective and attitude that says: “YOU GO GIRL!” That is absolutely who you are. Thanking God for you in my life again x x
Thanks, friend. I’m always inspired by you too!
Thanks for posting, Betsy! I like how you say Beth Moore’s declarations out loud….we need to hear ourselves pronouncing these truths sometimes in order to believe them!
I hope things are going well with your new venture, Betsy! Would love to hear more about it. It’s hard sometimes to be obedient to do what God is asking us to do and then leave the rest to Him. Hard, but always rewarding! You’re in my prayers.
Thanks, June!