Mountain View - Roller Coaster Faith By Paula Friedrichsen
Writer Author Church On The Mountain
Christian Column
:
Christian Living
- Fiction No
Two years ago I woke up with my very first migraine headache. It turned out to be the first of many, many migraines to come. Thus began a journey which has required fortitude, courage, faith, and the expertise of several gifted doctors. I’ve had my ups and downs, and I’ve grown as a person throughout this ordeal. Honestly I would have to write a book to tell you all the lessons of the journey—but in this article let me share just one: Roller Coaster faith is no faith at all.
Roller Coaster faith is the kind of faith that goes up and down, up and down, up and down. It’s almost completely dependant upon present circumstances. Here’s the scenario: God speaks to you about your situation (through a Scripture, through a friend, or even through an article like this), and you’re greatly encouraged and riding high on the wings of faith. Then symptoms hit you like a baseball bat across the forehead and you find yourself in the depths of despair. But because God is faithful, he speaks to you again about your situation. He greatly encourages you, and you are joyful and confident in His word. Nothing is going to shake you this time! That is until your circumstances get rocky again—then you find yourself sinking to the depths of despair.
This cycle is called, “Roller Coaster faith” (so named by me), and it will make you double minded and bankrupt of any genuine faith. It’s definitely a ride you want to get off! Why? (other then the fact it’s making you miserable). Because even though God is faithful to continue to encourage you with His voice and His word—He wants you to grow in your faith. He wants you to be able to receive from Him easily, without struggle and striving.
Here’s a perfect example of Roller Coaster faith, taken from the book of Exodus. It’s amusing to see just how much like the Israelites we really are. While God was trying to free them from the bondage of Egypt, they vacillated between hope, and doubt. Here’s a short synopsis:
HOPE - God announces that there will soon be freedom from the slavery in Egypt. The Israelites respond: “And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.”
DOUBT – After Moses confronts Pharaoh, Pharaoh increases the Israelite’s hard labor. The Israelites say venomously to Moses: “May the Lord look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
HOPE - God spares the Israelites from the last plague of death, and they finally leave Egypt. The Bible tells us: “the people bowed down and worshiped.”
DOUBT – The Egyptians chase the Israelites to Red Sea. The Israelites say to poor, beleaguered Moses: “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?”
HOPE - God parts the Red Sea and saves Israel! The next thing we know: “Miriam took a tambourine and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. ‘Sing to the Lord for he is highly exalted.”
DOUBT - The people are thirsty, so…: “The people grumbled against Moses, saying ‘What are we to drink?’”
HOPE - Then God provides water and the Israelites are happy and confident again.
DOUBT – The Israelites get hungry in the desert. Now they are back to grumbling and doubting. They say to Moses (who has the patience of Job): “you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
HOPE – But God gives them manna, and they are happy.
DOUBT – Then as they travel around in the desert, they get thirsty again. They say to Moses: “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children die of thirst?”
HOPE – But God provides water, and they are happy.
DOUBT – Moses is a long time on Mt Sinai getting the Ten Commandments. While he’s up there the Israelites say: “Come make us gods (idols) who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” Idol worship and revelry followed—and as the Message translations puts it, “It turned into a wild party”.
I find it interesting and alarming that circumstances deteriorated so fast for the Israelites: They went from doubt, to fear, to grumbling, to complaining, to false accusations, and finally to idol worship and a wild party (and yes, everything which that implies). I used to think the opposite of “faith” was “fear”. Now I know; the opposite of “faith” is “idol worship”. Faith is an unwavering trust in God’s goodness in spite of present circumstances. Idol worship is seeking relief from our trials and suffering apart from God and His ways.
The lesson of the last two years of my life (backed up by this outline of Exodus) is that when God speaks to you—believe Him! Take Him at His Word. Write down the things He speaks and meditate on them morning, noon, and night. Keep them taped to your bathroom mirror. Keep His Word in front of your face until your trial has come to an end. You have to be willing to hold on to the promises of God tenaciously. Be a spiritual pit bull. Lock your jaw around those promises and don’t let go until they are fulfilled. It may take a while, and you may have to make some changes in your life. It may mean some repentance, and you’ll definitely have to do things God’s way. But eventually God’s Word will come to pass. Trust Him! He is 100% faithful, 100% of the time.
Paula Friedrichsen is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
Editor's Comment:
About the Writer Author
State:
California
Country:
United States
Email:
Paulafriedrichsen@live.com
Website:
www.churchonthemountain.org
Profile:
Click here!
|
|
Most Recent From This Writer
Inspired Still - Designs by LaVellaK
Design Challenged? No worries! Among many design services I offer, I'll gladly design hats, t-shirts and more for you or your organized Special Event. Email me at justask@worthfinding.com for details!
Photgraphy & Design by LaVella Kraft
|
Select Article or Story
|