THROUGH THE VALLEYS

FAITH IS...

A pastor and his wife tell the story about the time their son was a small boy and was called in for dinner.

When the he walked through the door she happened to notice that something was different.

The boy had on a pair of gloves that she thought she recognized, but she couldn’t quite put a finger on it.

Before she could ask where he got them, his father walked in and said, “Huh, I thought I threw those in the trash yesterday?”

His mother exhaled slowly, then she took his gloves off and told him that he better wash his hands real good.

The boy rolled his eyes, then asked the question every kid wants to know, “Do I have to?”

She told him, “I never been more sure of anything in my life.” ....“There’s no telling how many germs are on your hands right now.”

As he made his way to the bathroom he just kept staring down at his hands.

All the sudden, the boy stopped, let out a big sigh, looked back and said, “Germs and Jesus!” “That’s all anybody ever talks about in this house and I ain’t seen either one.”

BELIEVING WHEN YOU DON’T SEE IT

Hebrews 11:1 CSB

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

John 20:29 CSB

Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Hebrews 11:8 CSB

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going.

So God tells Abram, “Time for a road trip.” (He doesn’t say where or for how long…)

Abraham was also “75.”...Would you still want to go?

Abraham knew that real faith is about...

TRUSTING WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND IT

If you are a follower of Christ...God is asking you to go on a journey of faith every single day.

“The only easy day was yesterday.”

“True faith doesn’t come from a bumper sticker…it comes with a warning label.”

Matthew 10:22 NIV

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

If you fully trust God’s will for your life, then nothing you will face in this life is beyond the reach of God’s grace.

Romans 8:17 NIV

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:35 ESV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Romans 8:31 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

No matter what the opposition is that you find yourself up against…believe with all your heart that GOD IS GREATER.

“Thy Kingdom come…Thy will be done.”

THANKING GOD BEFORE YOU RECEIVE IT

Now, a good example of this is Joshua:

Hebrews 11:30 CSB

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched around by the Israelites for seven days.

During Israel ’s wanderings, they come up to the most fortified city in the world: Jericho.

Slaves for 400 years – they're not a trained army – they have no weapons.

And God says, "Okay, guys. Here's my plan: I want you to walk around this city, once a day, for six days...Just march around it in silence.

And then, on the seventh day, I want you to march around it seven times.

And I want you to be thanking Me in advance, during this time.

This is going to be a statement of faith, by your marching around, because you expect Me to work."

And they march around....the walls came tumbling down...they had victory.

What were they doing? (They were thanking God in advance.)

Faith is not believing God can do it...God can do it whether you believe it or not.

Faith isn't even believing he will do it...that's hope.

"I hope He will.”

“I hope He'll give me a way out of the mess I’m in.”

“I hope He'll find me a marriage partner.”

“I hope I'll get well."

“I hope He'll answer my prayer.”

Faith is thanking God in advance.

It's believing that God is already working in the present...that the answer is already on its way.

PERSISTING WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT

Now, you know our culture says, "Base everything you do on how you feel."

In other words, if you feel like doing it, do it – if you don't feel like doing it, don't do it.

What happens when you live your life based on how you feel?

You end up being manipulated by moods – you flip-flop around because you feel different from day to day.

One of the marks of maturity is when you live your life by commitments rather than by feelings.

The truth is, I don't always feel like doing what's right, do you?

I don't always feel like praying and reading God’s Word.

I don’t always feel like being a courteous driver when someone cuts me off in traffic.

Sometimes, I don’t feel like blessing someone…I feel like blessing them out.

“The issue isn’t about what we feel— It’s about what we do.”

"Successful people do what most people don't feel like doing." (That’s it.)

Successful people simply develop habits that unsuccessful people don't feel like developing.

Habits like using their time wisely, being persistent, and sharpening their skillset.

“Practice makes perfect, right?”

“Except we’re not perfect people.”

Therefore, it would be a tremendous benefit to develop some habits and disciplines in your life that give you a better shot at becoming more like Christ.

The ONLY SUCCESS STORY in God’s eyes.

BUILDING UP YOUR TOLERANCE FOR PAIN

Our hearts and minds don’t have to be of this world, but right now our bodies do.

Sometimes that means we’re forced to experience a four-letter-word that we don’t like to say out loud…pain.

“Did God get the message?”

“Faith, unfortunately, doesn’t make us completely numb to pain…BUT it does build up our tolerance to it.”

Psalm 23:4–6 CSB

Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

“Our faith is meant to be carried through the valleys…not around them.”

What we never realize, until we’ve made it to the others side, is that He gives us the strength to go through them.

“The only way to teach faith is by living it.”

“Just remember, the trails may look all nice and pretty but everybody knows that the best views are always off the beaten path.”

You just have to have a little faith and trust that your guide knows where He’s going.