I Thought I Was Exercising Faith… I Was Wrong

God has really been emphasizing this point to me over the last year or so that what I was considering as my faith gauge was not in fact an accurate measure of my faith.

I feel like this word, “faith” gets thrown about pretty freely today. Do you get that sense? Like, “keep the faith,” “just have faith,” etc.?

But I am noticing that where I thought I had faith, because I was surely praying about stuff… I was actually just having faith in how I thought things should be or what I thought should happen… & then asking God to make it happen.

My faith was actually in myself, but I was calling it “FAITH” because I was turning to God to make it happen for me.

God Doesn’t Do Our Bidding… He Fulfills His Promises

Faith does not control God. Faith does not make God subject to us as our genie to do our bidding.

And God does not NEED us to pray. He does not NEED us to read our Bible even… He tells us to do those things because He knows perfectly that WE need them.

No, faith is turning to God for what He has already promised to us, asking Him to carry out His promise to us & asking for His help in walking obediently to what He has called us to do, BY FAITH… in HIM.

What Is Faith?

Faith gives substance to things unseen. Faith shows that someone other than us (GOD) should be calling the shots & should be consulted for Truth & wisdom & direction in our lives.

Faith is OBEDIENCE.

So, if you want to check your TRUE “Faith” gauge, check your life.

It’s easy to quote Scripture & memorize verses & pray… but unless we actually act on what we say we believe is true… can we really say we’re sincere in our faith?

Faith Is Obedience… Even When We Don’t Understand It First

Because faith is not equated to wishful/hopeful thinking.

Faith is not believing God is real (the Bible says even the demons believe & TREMBLE!-James 2:19)

Faith is not believing God CAN & so asking Him to do it OUR way.

Faith is surrender. Faith is submission. Faith is OBEDIENCE.

Because if we really believe that God is all-knowing, all-wise, Creator, Redeemer LORD Almighty… wouldn’t we obey because we know He ALWAYS knows best anyway?

How Can We Have Faith If We Don’t Get It?

I have done a post before about obedience not being a bad word… & the reason for that is because God LOVES us SO MUCH that because we are selfish & rebellious & prone to wander from Him, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay our debt FOR us. And ALL we have to do is trust that payment on our behalf! WOW.

So, He loves us THAT much, that He came, not to condemn the world, but to SAVE it.

AND He knows literally everything.

Perfectly loving & perfectly wise…. & perfectly deserving of authority over everything in our lives.

Check Your Faith Gauge

Because, when we act in faith… aka OBEY… life just seems to work better because we’re living the design it was meant to have versus forcing the way we think it should be. It’s submitting to God as being worthy of the final say in literally everything.

So, if you want to claim to have faith in God… stop just praying for your way to happen… & start walking in trust for HIS way.

And it’s okay to struggle. We naturally cling to what we think we know & understand… it’s okay to struggle… but we need to be asking for His help to walk in faithful obedience.

Have Faith… Live Faith

We can’t appreciate the blessings that come from living God’s Truth in our lives unless we ACTUALLY live out God’s Truth in our lives… Imagine that!

God is faithful, even when we are not. (2 Timothy 2:13) But let’s strive to lay down our life our way & ask Him to help you exchange every part of it for His way.

Shine HOPE through OBEDIENCE to God’s Truth. It’s 100% ALWAYS worth it EVERY time.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

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A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Moonstone Hoops (India)

Artisans from India cut & frame moonstones on these gold-toned elliptical hoops. Moonstones are prized in India for the unique way they reflect light.

Meet the Artisan:

Poonam grew up in poverty. Her father was a laborer & did his best to provide for Poonam & her two brothers. Finances were always tight, but Poonam’s family somehow made ends meet. Poonam was fortunate to have studied until 12th standard but could not study any further because her family did not have the money to pay for her to go to university.

So, Poonam moved to the city to search for work. In the city, she learned that she had a talent for Meenakari, the art of coloring & embellishing metal. Sharpening her craft, Poonam began looking for better opportunities when she discovered this Artisan community. Poonam hopes to one day start a family with her husband, who is working toward his degree.

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!