Trust in the Mud

When you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. – James 1:6

I’ve been asking God for some pretty big stuff lately. Nothing material, but “life-changing” stuff.  My prayers have sounded like this lately.  “God, please heal her completely.  God, keep him safe from all danger.  God, speak to me so I know what direction to go.”  I’ve been asking God to move mountains that are standing in my way and open doors that are locked shut.

We were recently hit by one of those Colorado early fall snowstorms, where one day it’s sunny and 70 degrees, then the next delivers a ten inches of snow.  The following day was sunny and warm, so the snow started to melt quickly, turning the hiking trails around my house into mud pits.  Since hiking helps reduce my stress level and is my favorite time to talk to God, I strapped on my hiking shoes and ventured out in the rain with my favorite hiking partner, my dog Henry.

Once on the trail, I realized how silly this really was.  I’d take one step forward, plant my shoe in deep, slippery mud then slide backwards as soon as I lifted the other foot to move forward.  After twenty minutes of this madness, I starting laughing out loud.  If you could have seen me, you’d have laughed too given the remarkably short distance I’d “slip-slid” up the trail.  When the trails are dry and hard packed, I’d have covered that ground in five minutes.  

Slipping in the mud that day reminds me of what my faith sometimes looks like.  I ask God to move, or help, or heal, and I take a step forward, believing God is willing, able and good.  Then life gets messy, complicated, and emotional and I slip back into doubt and try to control the situation by myself.  How frustrating!

That day in the muddy rain, I asked God to help me with my doubts and increase my faith.  I also apologized for not recognizing His leadership over me in every circumstance.  Finally, I thanked God for being with me every slippery step I take.

You can do the same.  Ask God today to get involved in your big “stuff.”  Ask Him to forgive you if you have doubted Him lately.  Then thank Him for guiding your steps day by day.  

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

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