Believing God – What does that REALLY mean?
Today’s devotional is written by Tonya. I have ‘met’ Tonya several month’s back. I was amazed how she is witnessing and giving comfort to others who also have lost a child. If you have never visited Tonya at her blog “Safe in HIS Arms“, I would like to invite you to stop by after you read her thoughts on Believing God…
A few years ago I participated in a Bible study called “Believing God” by Beth Moore. It wasn’t long after that we learned that our then 8 year old son had cancer. We were told that the odds of his survival were 1/3 – 1/4. (It quickly sunk in… “That’s ONLY about 25 out of 100 children”) I would soon find out what it means to “believe GOD.”
At first we prayed, asking GOD’S will for our son’s healing. Eight months later he was classified as “No Evidence of Disease.” We were BEYOND THRILLED! Yes, we PRAISED GOD for the way HE delivered us!
Then, just two days after Christmas Brent went in for his 6 month scans. We were horrified to learn that the cancer had returned. We were then told that there was no hope for Brent to be cured. (I thought to myself, “That’s what THEY think.. they don’t know our GOD!”)
We soon had well meaning people telling us that if we “believed enough and didn’t doubt” that Brent would be healed. So, “believe,” we did! We even had our sweet little man confessing his healing. He laid there the last days of his life “believing” that GOD was going to heal him.
Well, God DID heal Brent. He gave him an Ephesians 3:20 healing… He healed Brent with a healing that was IMMEASURABLY MORE than ANYTHING we could have asked for or imagined. God gave him a Heavenly healing. Our sweet son went HOME to be with his JESUS on January 2, 2007.
Now, what did we believe about GOD?
To be honest, I didn’t know what to think. I was angry, we’d stood on God’s Word, after all. It took some time, but we came to realize that our son’s death brought GOD MORE glory than being healed ever could. Our mistake, the thing that shook our faith more than anything, was putting our son’s healing on ourselves rather than on JESUS.
There is a disclaimer to the “name it and claim it” kind of faith. It’s found in 1 John 5:14 – This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, HE hears us.
Wait, what was that???
According to HIS will.
See, what we’ve come to believe about GOD is that HE created us in HIS image to worship HIM and to bring HIM glory. We know that as our Father, HE longs to have HIS children with HIM. God NEVER promises that “good things” will happen “if you just believe.” Yes, HE DOES bless HIS children, but to teach that HE NEVER allows us to be sick or die is not biblical. (God allowed His own Son die even when HE HIMSELF prayed if there was ANY other way – HE wanted to be delivered)
The Bible actually tells us that we should expect trials. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5, James 1:2-5, 1 Peter 1:5-7),
1 Peter 4:12-13
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when HIS glory is revealed.
So, what do I now believe about GOD?
I BELIEVE that HE is ALL KNOWING. I BELIEVE that HIS ways and HIS thoughts are higher than ours. I BELIEVE that no matter how our trials turn out, HE loves us! GOD wants us to RUN to HIM. He wants us to come to KNOW HIM as our COMFORTER, our Shelter, our Deliverer, our JOY and our PEACE.
It is my prayer that no matter what trials you may face in this life, you will BELIEVE that GOD is GOOD no matter how badly you hurt. HE is worthy of our PRAISE, ALWAYS.
Copyright: Tonya Nason
God bless you sweetie.
What a statement of faith.
Often times in hardship we turn from the Lord because of our lack of understanding of what His work is. But all things work for the good of those who LOVE HIM! (my paraphrase of Romans 8:28)
We may not see if at first, but eventually if you love the Lord, He will show you!
Thank you for reminding me- that no matter what HIS will is done in all things for HIS Glory!
Angie
Tonya, Thank you so much for this. We have experienced something very similar – although we did not lose a child. We’ve just had some very difficult diagnosis and a difficult path ahead. People told us the same thing, and when the answer you so desperately seek doesn’t come it certainly pulls the rug of faith out from under you. It took us a long time to recover, but we have come to the place you are. God is good – all the time. He does not have to work according to my plans, and I am thankful. For His plans are perfect. He loves us perfectly and only does that which is good.
I feel we are sisters of the heart Tonya.
We often forget according o His Will part. God bless you for His Praise and for seeing His goodness in all things.
Thank you so much for such an awesome and powerful testimony of faith. Though we don’t always understand the WHY… we do know that His plans for us are perfect. I like what you said, even through the hurt God is Good. Thank you so much for sharing your heart. God bless you.
I just found your website and have a “quick” comment. As a christian who has gone through suffering, don’t you find it so awesome that after the storm your faith is actually stronger than before? Even when things turn out differently than we had hoped? I, too, have learned the importance of praying His will the hard way. I am so careful now to always point those suffering to His will, for only God knows what is best and necessery. I may never know this side of heaven why certain things in my life have been allowed to happen, but I can know now the love of my great God! Thank you for sharing your journey!
In His love and hope,
Karan
That’s beautiful! I can’t imagine losing a child. God truly accomplished His plan for your son *hugs*
Dear sister in christ, am so sorry for your loss i know what you went through cause i felt the same in ’06 on my then 22mnths son, but i believe angels are with their father, and may god strenghthen you and give you courage for he’s worthy to be exhalted. Amen
Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging others through your pain.
Oh Tonya,
I have a lump in my throat and tears on my eyelids. I am so sorry for this loss. I grieve along with you.
The Lord sees your faith and your service to others. He is so very well honored through you and He is well pleased. Love you girl. Lynn