A Real and Gritty Faith
I want to be a woman who doesn’t wither away under duress. To be a woman who has faith and preserves her soul. She has a real and gritty faith in God.
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:39 (ESV)
I thought I was good at quarantines. But I’m learning I’m really just good at pivoting, distraction and diversion. For a little while.
Perhaps you know what I mean?
After the initial shock of new limitations and abrupt boundaries with a real and scary virus on the loose, I attempted to make friends with these restrictions. More home time will be a good thing, won’t it? We’ll get projects done. We’ll spend more time as a family. And bake bread. This might be fun!
Hope ballooned. I was determined to make lemonade here.
And that’s not all bad, is it? Those aren’t bad intentions.
But somewhere around week 3 (Possibly sooner. Okay, a whole lot sooner.) my pivoting energy began to wane. It’s hard to complete projects when supplies are limited. Togetherness can be tiring, and that delicious bread is making my pants tighter. My pivoting isn’t as smooth as I hoped. My lemonade is sour.
And that’s when I decided; I’m over it.
I’m over these stay-at-home orders, no friends, and no church. I’m done playing grocery games, carefully timing a shopping trip if I ever hope to keep us stocked with toilet paper. It was kind of funny for a day or two, but now it just stinks.
It’s not just me, is it?
A Real and Gritty Faith
Those were the exact thoughts on the surface of my heart when I dug into Hebrews this morning and read: “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” Hebrews 10:39 ESV
When I read it, I’ll admit, I was doubting the we in that verse. Conviction formed like a rock in my throat. My shrinking has been diseasing my heart, my words, my will. What looked like faith a week or two ago now looks more like a confidence in my own ability to adapt, my own ability to make this fun, my own ability to shoulder my disappointments and spin them into something equally fulfilling.
That’s a lot of faith in my own ability, friend. A lot of trusting in a woman with real limits and pressures and sin struggles.
I want to be a woman who doesn’t wither away under duress. I want to be a woman who has faith and preserves her soul. Because she knows a God, acknowledges the God, Who is hemming her in behind and before all of this. She has a real and gritty faith in a God who sings over her, is well acquainted with sorrow and even bottles tears. A God whose strength is perfected in her very weakness and One who increases strength when she has no might. (Isaiah 40:29)
Friend, God is not distant here. Let’s not believe that quiet lie. He is near, and willing to train our hearts like a gentle Vinedresser, securing each and every wily branch with the utmost care. He trains me to abide here, now, today.
In a season that feels echo-y, when our ability to adapt is wearing thin, we don’t have to trust our own good efforts or be buried beneath the weight of our failures. Friend, we have in front of us the most beautiful invitation to do it differently, to acknowledge God and humbly ask Him to direct our steps, guide our hearts, be our strength. We don’t need more entertainment, more distractions, or even more good bread recipes. We need more of Him, a deeper faith that preserves our souls. I’m hungry for it, friend. I hope you are too.
In His Word
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:39 (ESV)
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
In Your Life
Choosing to operate from His strength rather than your own weakness is the best trade ever. The act of remembering a great place to begin. Read the Word, write the out who He is here, and pray that truth over your day.
We Recommend
If you want to be inspired to boldly, bravely, follow the calling He has placed on your life, I hope you’ll find more of that at IChooseBrave.
Let’s Connect
You aren’t alone on the journey, friend. Find me here for more biblical encouragement. Let’s run our race well, together.
Continue to trade every ounce of weakness for His strength, friend. He is ready, willing and able.
Bravely,
*This article is one of the NEW Strength & Dignity Devotionals. You can read more HERE.