God has a special mission for us. Oh, all His children are called on this mission, but none are called to go as deeply as we are into unknown, scary territory. We, the parents of children with serious health issues, are called to have the kind of faith that moves mountains.
It’s usually easier for parents of healthy kids to have faith. Of course, all parents worry about their kids, the “what ifs” of the future are frightening for everyone. As soon as we know there is something really wrong with our child, our worry goes to a whole other level. We have to have faith that our God really is going to meet our families’ needs today and every day. Like they say, this is where the rubber meets the road.
God knows what He’s asking of us is impossible. He knows that we can’t produce that kind of faith on our own no matter how much we want to. That’s why God makes His requirements of us clear, “Come, do this life with Me.” Listen to what He tells us through Micah and Moses:
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (New King James Version)
“ ‘And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?’ ” Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (New King James Version)
When we read these verses we get a peek at God’s heart. Can you see our God longing for you or do you see rules you can’t follow? Dear one, this isn’t a list of “dos and don’ts” followed by a push to send us on our way. He paints a picture of the life He wants for us – a life with Him.
He loves us and He knows that the impossible becomes possible when we’re by His side. So, how do we get there? We spend time with Him. We read His Word allowing the power of those words to wash and change us. We listen for what He wants to tell us. We pray, talk with Him, and listen. Throughout our day, we remember Him and listen for His guidance. This is just as much for me as it is for you, sweet parent. I know it’s all too easy to talk at God and read His Word just to do it. BUT, we miss out on so much when we do! We don’t hear all that He has for us.
Our mission of faith centers on our active relationship with our Father. Every moment that we’re really with Him is a shot of “Miracle Grow” to our belief. We grow, we flourish, and we bare His fruit under His care. Our hearts change so that we love mercy and doing what is right (see our verses again). We stand in awe and gratitude before Him. We love our Father so much we want to serve Him and walk through each day with Him. We want to please our Daddy and obey Him. Those requirements that seem to be impossible grow naturally from knowing God.
Through that relationship, He also grows in us the 3 things we parents of children with serious health issues need the most:
• trust in Him
• the instinct to turn to Him
• the courage to take off the chains and let God be God
We can not make ourselves trust God. We can decide to want to trust Him though. Then, we can work on our relationship with God so we trust Him as naturally as we breathe. That’s what time with our Father does.
When Seth was born, I read and re-read the stories of healing out loud over him. Even through all the tubes and machines, the power of His Word transformed my faith. (Years later, I would need that strong faith again. That’s why I wrote “The Faith Challenge” – to build up my own family’s faith.) My faith and trust in God was rock solid. I saw my son’s life with my Father’s eyes and it didn’t make sense to anyone! I needed to “accept reality” they’d say. I’d say, “God is in control”. I seemed to argue daily with doctors. Then, over the years, as we waited and waited for healing Psalm 25:2 became my prayer: “O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me,” (New King James Version). I really didn’t want to be just another religious nut in the eyes of the doctor’s for 2 reasons – 1. my own pride 2. I wanted the non-believers to see God and this was an opportunity for Him to be real to them.
I praise God that even though it took a very long time, I was not ashamed for being so vocal about my faith (and in spite of my messy motives!). God had, indeed, triumphed. Now, please know that the doctors were not my enemies but their disbelief was.
There are so many verses about trusting God found in Scripture. I’ve listed more for you at the end of this article. This one, though, jumped out at me and I wonder if it will hit you too. Listen to how King Hezekiah is described,
“He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses,” (2 Kings 18:5-6, New King James Version).
I read that and thought, “I want God to say that about me!” I want to trust Him like no other. How does that sound to you, dear parent?
I have to interrupt my train of though to share something with you. Forgive me, please, for jumping around like this! On Monday, I felt God laying on my heart the message, “I’m calling My people to have faith.” Believe it or not, it takes me awhile to write my articles 
. Now on Tuesday, as I finished this section on trusting Him, my husband called to let me know that the doctor confirmed our suspicion that he does have cellulites (a cell infection, from what I understand) in his leg. More than that, though, the doctor is concerned Randy’s developed a blood clot and sent him to the hospital for an ultrasound. I thought writing would be a good distraction as I wait to hear news, but I looked at my notes and read, “To Trust Him”, “To Turn to Him”. I had to ask, “God is this article for my readers or for me?” Boy, can I be thick headed! Instead of keeping myself busy, I needed to be on my knees. I needed to turn to God, surrender my husband, and let Him build the trust I need.
Just so you know, that’s what I did. I stopped writing and prayed. I don’t know, maybe I was to share this with you so you can see that faith isn’t something we can achieve and clasp onto. We don’t get to say, “I’ve arrived! I’ve got plenty of faith for anything! I can relax now!” Trials challenge our faith – they can make or break our relationship with God. Yes, we can walk away when things get tough (or we can keep ourselves busy, avoiding the trial) or we can follow that instinct, that heart desire the Holy Spirit gives us to turn to Him. This is how Moses describes the longing for God that grows from knowing Him:
“But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice (for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them,” (Deuteronomy 4:29-31, New King James Version).
If we turn to God when a trial comes, we will find our faith and our relationship with Him to be stronger than ever. Turn to Him now, dear one. Let Him create that instinct that tells you to run to your Daddy when there’s trouble. He will not forsake you. No, our Father will stay by your side to help, protect, and guide you.
While preparing this article, I was also struck at how many times God’s Word warns us against turning to anything but Him. (Go to www.Biblegateway.com and do a keyword search on turning to idols or turning away from God, and you’ll see what I mean!) He warns us not only because He loves us and wants us to love Him, but because he knows that no one else can help us when we need a miracle. If we’ve idolize doctors, medicine or supplements we will eventually be crushed by their failure – their lack of Godliness. Remember how Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to call on their god in 1 Kings 18? Those prophets did everything they could to make their god work, but in the end, the one true God was the only god standing. Today, He is still the only one who can do the “God Stuff” we’re looking for.
As we trust and turn to Him more and more we will begin to take off the chains and let God be God. First of all, God is never really chained or in a box or anything but Himself. We need to understand the affects of our thoughts on our relationship with God. Imagine our Father standing in your doorway. First, the door is wide open, but each worry, fear, doubt, and moment we turn away, shuts the door a little more. He will not put His foot in the door or shove it back open. He allows us to shut Him out. Matthew recalls Jesus’ time in Nazareth, “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief,” (Matthew 13:58, New King James Version).
Are you ready to open he door to Him? Do you long to truly know Him? Not sure how to enter into a relationship with Him or where to start? “The Faith Challenge” will help you do all those things, but, most of all, start today by simply turning back to Him. Make the decision to get to know your Father better. Make the decision to accept His mission.
How about a super simple way to start? Enjoy this beautiful video made to a song by Jaci Velasquez, “On My Knees”. If you’d like a copy of the lyrics, here’s a link.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gArr7gyiMBY[/youtube]
In His Love,
Kimberly
Extra verses on trust: 2 Samuel 22:3, 2 Samuel 22: 31, Psalm 18: 2, Psalm 20: 7, Psalm 31:14, and Psalm 36: 7. This is just a start! Go to www.biblegateway.com for an easy way to search for more!
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Ready to try the impossible and walk in faith, even in “impossible” circumstances? Take “The Faith Challenge”? It can be yours today! Just go to www.kimberlyehlers.com/my-products/the-faith-challenge .
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