If faith comes by hearing God’s promises and then walking them out in our own lives, why is this so difficult to do? Why do we have such a hard time trusting that God’s in control? I’ll tell you why, because things aren't going the way we think they should go, that’s why!

​Trusting God no matter what’s happening is by far the most difficult part of being human. Totally trusting in Him no matter where you are or what you’re doing—no matter how contrary things are to what you might have planned, no matter if you absolutely hate your situation—to just hold tight and keep the faith can seem impossible! 

But if we trust God, truly trust Him—really believe that He always puts our welfare first and foremost—we must learn to always take Him at His word. It doesn't matter what’s happening in our life, even if things seem to be taking forever, we must know deep in our heart that God will come through!

We must learn to simply let go and let God. This simply means we need to stop trying to control everything and just have faith that God knows what He's doing, and He also knows when to do it.  God's timing is always perfect so stop stressing and just let go! Stress makes us think that everything has to happen now! Faith reassures us that everything is happening in God’s time!

Just keep fishing . . .

“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. But Simon answered and said to Him, Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink."   ~Luke 5:4-7

This story of Peter coming in from a long night of fishing without so much as one stinking fish is a great story of faith, the kind of faith we all need to develop. Peter was dead tired from fishing all night and was feeling very dejected, the last thing he wanted to do was go back out, even farther out to sea and drop his nets . . . again! But that was exactly what Jesus told him to do, so he did. Yes, he grumbled a little but did it nevertheless.

He took Jesus at His word. He walked it out. He went back out believing that Jesus had his best interest at heart. Peter knew Jesus, he had a close relationship with Him, he knew Jesus always kept His word, so he obeyed and pushed out into the deep. He simply took God at His word. And good thing too, because he caught so many fish the boat was overflowing, so many they filled an entire second boat. ​

I want to be astonished! I really do. I want God to shock me with a mega miracle! Guess that means I need to take Jesus at His word and just trust Him. Don't ever give up, just trust and obey and then see how He always comes through!

I love this story because it shows us a real-life example of faith. It also shows us that faith takes us out into the deep, what I like to call the faith realm. This is that uncomfortable place that God urges us to go, that deep, uncertain leap of faith place. This is where faith grows.

Oh, Lord, I truly want that kind of faith, especially when I’m tired and dejected. I want to trust You when all is lost—when there is no hope left— to still be willing to walk into the darkness and know You will prevail!