A Faith Displayed by Action
I have heard a lot of different sermons about the verse in James 2,”Faith without works is dead.”
I understand that if we claim to really trust God, we have to be willing to do what He says, trusting that He always knows best.
I also understand that if we’re NOT willing to do what He says, it speaks very little of any faith we might have or claim to have in Him.
Faith Without Obedience Is a Dead End
But it never actually clicked for me that this simple phrase of, “faith without works is dead,” also denotes this idea I have been wrestling with so much lately, that if I have faith enough to ASK God for help overcoming something, it does absolutely nothing for me if I am not also willing to OBEY & follow through with the solution He provides.
With my FAITH, I need to also be willing to OBEY & faith WITHOUT obedience is a dead end.
I can believe in my heart that God is my only true source of hope for healing, wisdom, & power to help in any given situation, but UNLESS I ACT on that faith, it does me absolutely NO good.
That has been my story.
My Story
I have learned, “Wow, okay… God really DOES know everything & has the power to overcome ANYTHING. HE is the source of hope I have been searching for in this!”… to, “So, I need to learn to pray about EVERYTHING! JUST like He tells us to do!” … to, “God PLEASE help me in this!” … to hearing His gentle nudge, an offering to provide me the wisdom or solution I seek, but I hold up my hand & say, “NOPE!”
WHY?!
Why do I resist Him? And why does it seem insurmountable NOT to resist Him?
My Own Roadblock
I am allowing myself to keep on my chains because those chains are all I have known & I crave them like an idol in my life… & removing them means leaving my comfort zone… even if that comfort zone has been hurting me for so long.
(It sort of reminds me of the Israelites, spoken about in Exodus, complaining as they wandered in the desert, wishing they could go back to being SLAVES in Egypt, versus now-FREE men who COULD ask God for help in ANYTHING, but just spent their days merely complaining instead.)
And it’s like in Proverbs 26:11, where it says, “as a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly”…
I am that dog always returning to my vomit.
I stay trapped because I refuse to OBEY in my faith in God.
Hear me on this, I AM MY OWN ROADBLOCK.
Climbing Uphill Through Molasses
And yet, it feels like I’m climbing uphill through molasses when I try to change.
And that’s where surrender comes in… I need to SURRENDER my chains to His help.
- Whether it’s addictions to eating out or eating convenience…
- Whether it’s skipping exercise because going from stop to go feels so hard…
- Whether it’s filling in every bit of free time versus sitting in stillness with God…
- Whether it’s fantasizing for a quick fix versus growing in intimacy with my husband, the way God intended it…
- Whether it’s skipping caring for my home because my tv or phone is more entertaining & easier…
- Whether it’s missing out on a FULLER LIFE because of all of these chains versus TRUSTING GOD TO HELP ME OVERCOME THEM.
I have so many chains around my neck, dragging me down & keeping me STUCK.
I Know I Need Him… Now I Just Need to Let Go & Take His Hand…
I have learned to pray about my chains… I have learned that just like the disciples in the boat, as told about in Matthew 8, with the waves crashing around them, fear over-taking them, & Jesus reminding them that He was still in control & a reminder to trust Him… I have learned I NEED to go to Him.
But I also have learned that I NEED to be willing to SURRENDER to His help instead of clinging so tightly to those chains that keep hurting me when He offers His help.
I need to OBEY His call on my heart to leave those chains behind, to take His hand, & to step away from them with His help.
Surrendering to God Is Not Defeat… It’s VICTORY!
I need to SURRENDER.
Surrender seems a word associated with defeat, but with God, surrender leads to the VICTORY we cry out for so desperately… because we aren’t surrendering to a malevolent invader, but to a benevolent & Almighty KING Who counts us as one of His dearest children… exchanging our chains for His riches & goodness.
SURRENDER is VICTORY.
Crying Out to God for a Heart Change–My Chains in Exchange for True Satisfaction in Him
“Lord, I feel trapped. I can try to blame addiction, but I am the real obstacle. My flesh is weak. I want those things I am chained by. I know they hurt me, but I long for them because they’re easy. But they never satisfy me long. And then I search for them again. Like the woman at the well, in John 4, whom You told that anyone who drinks from You will never thirst again… YOU are the ONLY thing that can truly satisfy me. Everything else is empty & fleeting & comes with hidden thorns. Help me trust You enough to not just call out to You for help, but to CLING to You & SURRENDER to Your help. Even if I have to slump to the floor in defeat to keep myself from running to the chains I always cling to & BEG You to keep me from going back to them, HELP ME PLEASE. I don’t want to live in these chains forever. You are the true Overcomer. Help me cling to You & be willing to leave everything else behind. Help me. AMEN.”
Shine Hope by SURRENDERING to His help in breaking your chains.
Coming Next Week
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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!!
Anika Earrings
These silver-plated hammered Anika Earrings are made in India where they get their name from an ancient Sanskrit word meaning “grace & favor”. Add some fun to your wardrobe with these lightweight statement earrings!
Artisan Information:
Women in India still face widespread discrimination that often leads to poverty & exploitation. Your purchase provides opportunities for women to earn sustainable income through creative expression as fair-trade Artisans.
Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!
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