I’m an avid DIYer. If I can do it myself, or, more accurately, ask my husband to do it, that's how we’ll roll. We rehabbed our first house out of necessity… but then it just kind of became a hobby. Some couples like rock climbing or dancing, but we like renovating spaces. I think it brings us together as we work toward a common goal.
A few years ago, we remodeled our guest bathroom. Everything was finished, and I had a mirror to hang on the wall. Since the mirror was small, it looked a bit out-of-place and incomplete. So I did what any stereotypical wife in her mid-thirties would do. I headed to Hobby Lobby.
I had an idea of what I wanted (I promise I’ll get to the point without making this a home-decor blog), and I was happy to find the wall hangings were 50% off. Perfect! I wanted a Bible verse, and I found just the size I needed. The sign said “Walk by Faith”, which is a part of 2 Corinthians 5:7.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
The sign was perfect, but I cringe to tell you the next part: The sign made me mad.
Under my breath I huffed, “I don’t want to walk by faith. I’m sick of it!”
I didn’t want some sign reminding me that there were more struggles to come and that essentially, I’m not in charge. Couldn’t it say something else?
Immediately I realized that I didn’t have the right attitude - I was disagreeing with God’s plan for my life, and I was having a pity party for myself. So what did I do? I debated with myself, and realizing that I was ultimately clashing with God’s Word, I bought it and hung it in my bathroom.
This may all sound a bit dramatic, but I am a firm believer that the way we allow ourselves to think will shape our beliefs and eventually come out in what we do. I immediately knew I was wrong, and wanted that sign to be a reminder that God has always been faithful in the past, and He will always be faithful, even when especially when I’m not calling the shots.
Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Part of having faith is just trusting that God actually does have everything under control. He made us and understands what we need. Not only that, but He truly understands what we are going through.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15
Think of Jesus’s life. He understands pain, rejection, betrayal, temptation, and living as a human. Through all of it, He never sinned or failed in anything. He understands that we do have emotions, weaknesses, and temptations. One of those weaknesses is to lack faith, or doubt that God will take care of us in the future.
God will take care of each and every one of His children. With His perfect guidance in our lives, He will work in our lives to make us more like Him. That is the goal! This does not exclude us from suffering personal pain, consequences, or things that we just don’t feel are fair. These things do come into our life. As followers of Christ, or people who love God, we know that God is in control of all of these things. It's actually a miracle that we can walk by faith!
James 1:2-4 challenges us to
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NASB)
My plans will never include any kind of “various trials.” That’s gonna be a big nope for me.
I prefer things like “security, safety, and comfort.”
Again, I need to readjust my own thinking. When I come by verses that seem so hard and contrary to what I think, I need to change my mind and trust God’s way.
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God Romans 12:2
God knows so much better than I do. I have found that when I go through various trials, God always leads me through. It is during these times that I realize I do have security, safety, and comfort in the arms of Jesus. Through various trials, I have realized that I try to find those things in the wrong places.
Problems have come and gone, and each time, the Lord has guided my family like only a loving Shepherd could do. I don’t need to fear the future or the walking by faith because I’m not alone. And if you are depending on the Almighty God, neither are you.
My bathroom sign really has become one of my favorites in the whole house. It reminds me that God knows my failures and sins all too well. But as I choose to turn to Him, He continually teaches me more about Himself. I remember how much I despised it’s message at the first glance, but changing my mind about God brought me the understanding the problems are only opportunities to trust God.
What about you? Do you share the same tendencies to doubt as I do?
Here’s a few of my very favorite verses to help me combat fear of the future and lack of faith:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) is plastered all over my house, including my butter dish:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
And Jesus's words in Matthew 6:27-34:
Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith? “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.
If you want more information on this topic, listen to today's episode on the Bible Explained Podcast, where Jenn discusses our loving Father and how He protects us.