Trusting God Even When Heart and Body Suffer
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;Â I will surely defend my ways to his face.
Job 13:15 NIV
Faith sees our circumstances from God’s perspective, believes what God says about that circumstance, and obeys all that God is commanding for us to do in that situation. Faith is a gift from God and a choice of our hearts enabling us to believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are faithful, sufficient, and present for every life circumstance. Faith’s result is the peace that passes all understanding and a heart content in God’s sovereign grace. Maintaining faith is a battle of the heart: it is a spiritual challenge to stay fixed on the goodness and faithfulness of God in the midst of turmoil and bodily affliction.
We should inquire once again as to what the life of faith is. It is one lived by believing in God under any circumstance: “If he slay me,” says Job, “yet would I trust in Him.” That is faith. Because I once believed, loved and trusted God I shall believe, love and trust Him wherever He may put me and however my heart and body may suffer . . . Emotion begins to doubt when it senses blackness, whereas faith holds on to God even in the face of death . . . God asks for men (and women) who are totally broken and who will follow Him even to death to work for Him . . . .
Watchman Nee, The Spiritual Man
Canon Glenn, Thank you so much for sharing these words. They are particularly precious to me at this time in my life and in Ronnie’s life. It has been and continues to be a spiritual challenge for me to trust and have faith in God during my physical illness, as well as the spiritual battles that seem to be confronting us. But God has proven Himself faithful to me and to Ronnie by giving a us that “peace that passes all understanding”. God is teaching me that I can confiently trust in his soveriegnty.
Again, thank you for your encouraging words.
Dear Sandra:
You and Fr. Ronnie are two very special people. The CEC is greatly indebted to have two special people like you serving in Christ’s church.