IS YOUR FAITH TANK FULL?

IS YOUR FAITH TANK FULL?

By Carolyn Dale Newell

“The officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart.’      Deuteronomy 20:8 NKJV

While writing my memoir, I noticed something I never deemed vital before. In December 2011, I came face-to-face with the realization I was going blind. Though visual impairment had been part of my life all along, this was different. The rapid decline made living in a dark world a reality and a fear

Two people played important roles then without knowing it. They each faced their own version of the scary unknown. Each possessed such strong faith, trusting God with whatever the future held.

As I read this chapter over, I thought about how different my life may have been without their momentary presence. Their faith differed distinctly from the faith of most. Coincidences don’t exist. God had a divine appointment for me with both of these folks. I doubt I could have faced my vision loss with the same bold faith if I had not been exposed to it.

Several years later, I discovered there are two types of Christians, the faithful and the doubtful. God impressed upon me that cataract surgery would give me better vision. He gave me Mark 11:24, and He emphasized the word, “believe”.

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 NKJV

Sight is not necessary to distinguish the doubters from the believers. The faith-filled erupted in joy declaring, “I believe with you.” The ones with faith tanks running on empty expressed no joy, just a questionable, “We’ll see.” My response left them speechless, “If you cannot believe with me, don’t pray for me.”

In God’s instructions concerning war for Moses and the Israelites, He told certain folks to go home. Please don’t fight with us because you will hinder us.

The Israelites had been commanded twice, “Do not fear!” God knows His children so well, and He knows we are prone to be afraid. The Israelite officers sent the fearful home. Where there is faith, there is no fear. Where there is fear, there is no faith. They do not co-exist. God sent the fainthearted soldiers home because He knew fear is contagious. It would spread through the army infecting more men.

Doubt and faith go viral too. Spend time around those who believe God heals. Those who believe in miracles. You will keep  a full faith tank.

Lord God,

Fill this faith tank to the brim. Eliminate the fears and doubt that hinder us from complete trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read Deuteronomy 20:1-8.

HIKING THE TRAIL

Who do you spend time with? Are you running on empty or do you have a full tank of faith? Prayer is the means of faith. God already knows you have unbelief, so cry out, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”

Copyright 2017 Carolyn Dale Newell.

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