Have you ever felt like you were waning in Faith? Ever thought about maybe taking a break from this Christian journey? Have you had a moment where you felt so frustrated about your current situations that you decided not to pray or read the bible? Ever wondered whether or not the Word that you so deeply know as true would actually manifest itself in your reality?

Sometimes in this journey of living like Christ we encounter certain experiences that test our confidence in and confession of God’s word and promises. In certain instances it seems like what God CLEARLY told us “back there” is almost impossible to reach. I mean it’s been 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…10…20 years, and we are still waiting to see what He showed us He would do. WHY hasn’t it happened yet? What’s taking so long?! Ever had a moment when you thought “Hmm, maybe God changed His mind” in an effort to rationalize the lapse between the time of promise and the time of the manifestation?

Now I would be a HYPOCRITE if I pointed my finger at you and said “oh ye of little faith, how could you think God changed His mind?” Can I be honest with you? I’ve been there and just returned from the abyss of questions and frustration. In fact, I recently had a conversation with someone about that and couldn’t help but wonder “Is it that God changed His mind about the promises He made to us or are we getting exhausted from continuously holding fast to the truthful nature of our God?”

The bible says in Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”

You see, as I mentioned earlier, we get to a point in our lives when we literally feel like we are spiritually hanging by a thread, barely making a fist to keep a tight grip on the Word in our hearts, tirelessly working on reminding ourselves of what we learned about trials and faith at bible study or Sunday school. I’d like to remind us that we are NOT the first Christians to walk the face of the earth, so “No temptation has overtaken [us] except what is common to mankind.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

The bible is an accurate anecdote of the trials and triumphs of the early Christians; it provides us with advice and examples of what to do and what not to do. SO…let’s see who else waned in faith and strength during their race, maybe we can learn a thing or two.

In Colossians 1, Apostle Paul was talking to believers in Colossae, and he told them that since they were redeemed by Jesus, they were entitled to God’s inheritance through Jesus. What struck me as interesting while reading this page was verse 23, where he stated “But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.”

The first 2 sentences he spoke imply that as believers, there will be times in our lives when we will feel compelled to doubt the truth, fall out of faith , and walk away from what we once KNEW confidently to be true. Such events are what most of us refer to as “A period of trials,” these could be moments and times where we feel like God is no longer walking beside us, we feel like He’s no longer talking to us (quiet seasons), or we feel unworthy of His love because the devil tries to torment us by taking us on NUMEROUS guilt trips. Even Jesus assured us that such times will come in John 16:33, but He guaranteed us victory and peace because He had already overcome the world [and everything in it]. After Jesus’ assurance, Paul also advises the Colossians [and the entire body of believers] that they should stand FIRM in the truth, that is the Word, when difficult times arrive.

We aren’t the only ones who’ve felt like doubting or reneging on our commitment to have faith in God’s promises, and like them we must stand firm, hold on tight, and keep believing that we will see the manifestation of God’s promises.

Let’s also check out the record of Abraham’s experiences with God, particularly that of God’s promise of a son to him. In Genesis 15:4, God promised Abraham (then Abram) a son who would inherit the many blessings God planned to give Abraham. Throughout his walk with the Lord, Abraham did not see the manifestation of God’s promise until Genesis 21:1. Let’s do some math exercise: Promise made in chapter 15 (Abraham was 75 years old), manifestation occurred in chapter 21 (Abraham was 100 years old). The lapse between the time of promise and the time of the manifestation was *DRUMROLL PLEASE* 6 chapters and 25 years….TWENTY FIVE YEARS!! Now I KNOW that some, if not all, of us after year 10 would have been like “well I don’t think this is gonna happen.” As a matter of fact Sarah, Abraham’s wife, thought the same thing! She advised Abraham to lay with Hagar her housemaid and from thence came Ishmael the counterfeit. As a result of this counterfeit the world still suffers turmoil, but we’ll discuss that some other time.

So anyway, Sarah thought God was taking too long with fulfilling His promise. She figured He’d changed his mind and decided to create one for herself. But let me ask this: did God hold up His end of the bargain after all those years even after Sarah, in her finite abilities, thought she could help God out? YES… YES…and Y.E.S. He showed up and showed out. That’s the God we serve. The devil wants us to believe otherwise, he wants us to think God forgot or cares about other people’s circumstances more than ours….LIES LIES LIES…he’s the father of all liars, so that’s what he does best. Throw those lies right back!

In the midst of the trials, delays, bumps, interruptions, whatever else we may want to consider the lapse in time, we learn to build trust, patience, and endurance! GOD WILL COME THROUGH! He’s never gone back on His word; He said in Isaiah 55:10(a) &11: “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth[…]It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

What season are you currently in on this Christian journey? Are you in that “feeling alone” season , the “can’t hear His voice” season, the “barely holding on to faith” season, the “undeserving of love” season, or the “when will he do it” season? No matter what trying season you may be in, I want to assure you to STAND FIRM in the truth that the Good News promises. Hold on tightly to the guarantee that God will come through for you, He didn’t change His mind concerning what He promised you. THIS TOO SHALL PASS…KEEP BELIEVING, BE EXPECTANT!!

Be encouraged,

∼Moyo∼

I’d like to provide an opportunity to those who are yet to meet with Jesus. If you have a deep desire to know Jesus and enter into the kingdom of God you are in great company. I did at some point in my life, and it was the greatest desire that God ever met!

I invite you to pray the sinner’s prayer: Dear Jesus, I accept that I am a sinner and I confess my sins before you. I believe that you died for my sins and rose again to give me new life.  I ask that you forgive me of my sins; cleanse me with your precious blood which you shed on the cross of Calvary. I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior. Fill me up with your Holy Spirit and strengthen me. I profess that I am a new creature; old things have passed away and I have become new in You. Thank You Lord! In Jesus name, AMEN!

If you prayed the prayer, WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM FAMILY!! Be sure to find a bible believing, Spirit led church in your city and purchase a bible in a version that you understand. I use the  New Living Translation, Message, or the New International Version. Enjoy the journey!