Life events can paralyze us. The enormity of a situation can weigh us down and overshadow every other aspect of our lives. Some issues are distracting and downright scary. Others are tragic and painful. Yet, it is in those very moments when we feel that we’ve lost our ability to hope or trust, that we need to seek our Father’s face. When we are uncertain about what to do next, we must exercise faith and ask God to reveal a path forward.

Taking action in the midst of dire circumstances is the beginning of moving toward a solution. When the need is overwhelming, we must combat our human desire to surrender to the enemy’s suggestions of defeat, depression, hopelessness, bitterness, unforgiveness, and fear. It is precisely in these exact moments that we need to exercise our kingdom privileges! An ongoing relationship with our Creator means that we can weather any storm. Romans 8:37 says “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” We can abide in the fact that no matter how it looks – everything is working for our good. It takes faith to confess, then release our fears, to continue to hope for the best, to continue to declare God’s goodness and let our beloved Heavenly Father know that we are in great expectation of relief, deliverance, provision, and favor as we experience His grace in new and exciting dimensions.

Exercising faith means encountering life situations that allow our faith to grow. These growth opportunities are often disguised as unwelcome news or unexpected challenges. James 1:2-4 says “ Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The Lord wants to build us, not break us. He wants us to learn to trust in Him and to seek His guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to “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.”

As the gospel song says, “just a little talk with Jesus makes it right”. Being a child of God means that we have a 24/7 All-Access pass that never expires. The Lord is always just a thought or whisper away. When stresses threaten us, frustrations overwhelm us, sorrow engulfs us, disappointment confronts us, and uncertainty upsets us, we can place our trust in The One who never grows weary, who is always available to listen, who knows us intimately, and loves us beyond comprehension. Romans 8:31 says “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

The Lord wants us to grow our relationship with Him. 3 John 1:2 says “Beloved, I pray you to prosper concerning all things and to be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” He is waiting for an opportunity to minister to the needs that abide in the innermost chambers of our heart. He wants us to seek Him as a first option, not a last resort. He allows situations that help cultivate a level of faith that blesses us and those around us. We must remember that we are each a testimony in progress because for every instance of being paralyzed by fear, there is that urging from the Holy Spirit reminding us of who we are and whose we are. To move forward in faith, we need only to consider identity – ours and the Lord’s. Nothing – no matter how wonderful or terrible it is – is greater than God. Moving forward in faith is a mental and spiritual shift where we go from trusting only in ourselves – with our limited understanding, resources, and solutions – to trusting in God who is infinite, omniscient, owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and thinks on an eternal plane. Romans 10:17 says “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Matthew 17:20 tells us “He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [ that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”