Step Out in Confidence When Uncertainty Threatens

There’s nothing quite like a child’s first steps. She’s been practicing for some time and has finally gathered the courage to let go.

But before long, her balance wavers and her confidence gives out. She plops back to the floor, only to soon try it again. 

It is both beautiful and heartrending to watch. 

Rachel learning to walk.

It takes a measure of courage to risk the bumps and bruises that come with learning to take those next steps. Some children take longer than others to become bold enough to give it another try. 

They have to believe that eventually their legs will hold them and balance will come. 

Practicing Faith

And just like a child has to continue practicing in order to grow to be a confident walker, so we have to practice our faith in order to become a more confident Christian. 

It’s not enough to just sing “I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N.” You must live your faith—learn to trust God’s provisions in spite of how things look. 

And sometimes that means stepping out without all the answers.

Don't just confess your faith, live it—learn to trust God's provisions in spite of how things look. Click To Tweet

Stepping Out in Confidence

The young shepherd-boy David didn’t try to find the logic of going against the giant Goliath with no armor and only 5 stones (1 Samuel 17). He trusted God to be His armor and make His weapons powerful. 

It’s when you step out in faith, in the face of giants and mountains, in the midst of the unknowns and uncertainties, that you really see the faithfulness and power of our Lord. 

When you step out in faith, in the face of your giants, you will see God's faithfulness & power. Click To Tweet

Unbelief

It’s relatively easy to believe Jesus when things are going well. Our “unbelief” tends to catch up to us when things look differently than we expect. 

The disciples found this when they came face-to-face with a particularly unruly demon. They had previously cast out many demons in Christ’s name; however, this one wouldn’t budge.

In frustration, they took the problem to Jesus.

“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.‘” Matthew 17:19-21

Some versions use “little faith” instead of “unbelief,” but the points the same: the disciples lacked confidence in what they hoped for and assurance about what they could not see (Hebrews 11:1). 

Oh, my “unbelief” rears its ugly head from time to time too. 

But the Lord has already proven faithful: in our salvation as well as in providing His graces each and every day. We can trust Him with it all.

But on occasion our sin-nature will still weasel it’s way into our heads and hearts. The disciples faced it, all the heroes of the faith faced it (Hebrews 11), all contemporary saints face it and will until we reach our glory.

Yet God will provide here and now.

So when doubt and unbelief creep in, my friends, fall to your knees before the Lord. Admit your weakness. Ask Him to strengthen your faith. 

Your Faith Is Enough; Believe Him

He will do it. God will cast out our demons, overcome our giants, and move aside our mountains according to His mighty and perfect plan.

God will cast out our demons, overcome our giants, move aside our mountains, according to His mighty & perfect plan. Click To Tweet 

Jesus says even faith the size of a mustard seed is enough. If you are a baptized child of God, He’s already granted that.

But the question is, do you believe it? 

“Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.'” John 20:29

Reflections: How has “unbelief” affected your Christian witness? How has God shown His faithfulness to you? 

I’m excited to continue recording blessings this year. Since beginning over 3 years ago, I’ve counted more than 3,500 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! So here we go in 2015: #3723–3743, read my entire list by clicking here.

By His grace ≈

Julie

Linking with Kelly Balarie at Purposeful Faith. Click the image to read all the encouraging posts.