Undoubtedly, there comes a time in life when we experience the reality that neither the resources of the present moment nor the joys of the past are quite enough to keep us going. Sure, we eat, breathe, and move about, but we feel that faith, hope, and love in our lives are as the faint morning embers from the evening’s camp fire.
Let’s be honest, many people struggle with consistently maintaining faith, hope, and love at different times in their lives. Some of the most committed and godly leaders have struggled with doubts, just like everyone else. The very essence of faith, hope, and love is to believe in that which we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). As physical beings, we tend to put faith in what we experience with our senses. Spiritual realities are not tangible and must be experienced outside our senses. So, when that which is tangible and visible seems overwhelming, doubts can shroud that which is invisible.
No cap, it can be extremely encouraging to remember that, when we struggle with faith, we are in good company. Elijah the prophet experienced such a struggle. One of the greatest prophets of all time had just called down fire from heaven, killed over 400 false prophets, and outrun King Ahab’s chariot—a feat that would have been the envy of Jamaica’s Olympic gold-medalist Usain St. Leo Bolt (1 Kings 18:36–38, 46). Yet the next chapter finds Elijah hiding in a cave, depressed and asking for death (1 Kings 19:3–5). After all those miracles, he gave in to fear and doubt because a wicked woman hated him (1 Kings 19:2). During times of stress and exhaustion, we can easily forget all that God has done for us.
If you are being tested right now, I want to remind you the greatest power to overcome doubt comes from the Holy Spirit Himself, who “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). We can cry out as the man cried to Jesus, “I believe. Lord, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). And we can expect Him to answer.
My brothers and sisters, if this message is for you, never forget that God is working things out, even when you don’t see it or feel it! So, be faithful, thankful, and mindful that God is with you. Where faith, hope, and love grows, breakthroughs happen!
4GIVEN 