When my Faith doesn't Change my Circumstance
“Just have faith…”
Over time the phrase almost became offensive. Like the squealing of dull brakes- you knew it was coming but the way each word came grinding upon your heart every. single. time. seemed as if you had been caught off guard.
It was a kind sentiment: faith changes things. Indeed, it does.
But, what happens when my faith is strong and my prayers are bold, but my painful circumstance remains unchanged? What happens when my belief is BIG, but what I believe never comes to fruition?
I never really thought much about the topic, until it began colliding with my life. For me, this pertained to my baby. I had watched her suffer unimaginable pain, seizure after seizure. I had watched her endure testing, blood draws, and EEGS. I had watched the way in which her little body was wrecked each time a seizure took its course. I had watched her countless times being rushed into an ambulance. I had watched as the life flight helicopter took off with my little person in toe. I had watched her stop breathing, the way in which the physicians grew panicked, though they tried their best not to. I had watched as a machine kept her alive. And, I had watched her little face for hours while seizure took over her body, all the while I begged God to make it stop.
When this all started, I would have uttered the same words… faith, just have faith.
And I did have faith, in fact I still do.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
After my child’s first seizure, I believed God would take this away from her. FAITH.
And after her doctors listed the horrendous potential diagnosis, I believed God would not allow it. FAITH.
And every moment of each seizure, I believed that at any time my God could make it stop. FAITH>
Yet, here we are.
Some would say my faith isn’t great enough. In fact, some HAVE said this. (In case you’re wondering- that’s never helpful or appropriate for a grieving heart). Anywaaaaaaayyys.
I tend to disagree. My concept of faith has changed. Through this journey I have learned that true faith is having faith in the waiting. True faith is having faith when the circumstance remains unchanged. True faith is remaining sure that He can, even when He does not. And, somehow making peace with that.
Yes, true Faith DOES change things, though perhaps the circumstance is not what’s changing.
True faith changes hearts.
True faith changes perspectives.
True faith changes my once shallow perception.
It’s somehow being OK with a God who doesn’t fix all my problems in this life, though I may never understand why He doesn’t, all the while holding tight to His promise that one day it will ALL be better.
Today, maybe your circumstance hasn’t changes, despite your desperate pleas.
Perhaps your relationship hasn’t changed despite your faithful prayers.
Or the healing hasn’t come despite your unwavering belief.
My friend, you are one with true faith. Cling to it all the more tightly trusting that He has made a way, though we do not yet see it.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Psalm 43:19
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Have you ever experience a time when God did not change your circumstance? Although the circumstance was unchanged, what positive changes came from that?
I'd love to hear your story!
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