Moving Forward with Faith

     I live with chronic disorders.  Sometimes it is a struggle for me to say this out loud. Since I received the diagnoses, I have often thought about what this means for my future. There is not a day that I don’t wake up in pain. Sometimes it is a struggle to walk, talk, and even think. In the beginning of this journey, I thought life as I knew it was over. I was right. I realized that I could no longer live as I had before. God was calling me to something greater. Something that could only be achieved through faith in him. The blessing of this illness has been that I can no longer count on my body. I have to rely on God. I am learning to rely on Him for everything. This is what He wanted for all of us.

II Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

     Often this scripture is used when combatting fear. We often focus on the part that says, “God has not given us the spirit of fear”. Do we take the time to explore having the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind? Paul writes this letter to Timothy knowing he will face hardships during his ministry. It is important to note that hardships will be part of our life journey. Some hardships will come in the form of persecution, some we will bring on ourselves, and some will just be a part of life. In any case, we can be grateful for God’s grace. His grace allows us to move forward despite any hardship we may face. It is the grace of God that allows us to access His strength, His love, and self-discipline. Our faith must lie in this fact. Living with disorders that have taken my strength, has led me to the reality that my strength was never enough to accomplish what God has called me to. God calls us and then He equips us with strength through His spirit. It is not strange to feel like we cannot do the things God has called us to do. We can’t but through Him, “we can do all things”. 

      Faith in God will keep you moving forward when your senses say you can’t. Having faith means that I am relying on God and not me. It means that I choose to surrender my thoughts and feelings and walk in what God says about me. I am very realistic about having these disorders but they will not stop me from accomplishing my God-ordained purpose. God knew that this would be a part of my life but He is not limited, so I am not limited by these illnesses. God told the children of Israel that He knew the plans He had for them. He spoke these words to encourage them to keep going. We will face many hardships, that are very real but, it is our faith in God that will give us the strength to move forward when our reality says we can’t. We must understand that in God, we are not limited. In our situations, we must look for the opportunity. Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. In my situation, I have to look for the good. I’m not talking about the good in being sick or the good of pain. I have to look for the opportunity that my sickness gives me to rely on God. Sometimes hardships cause us to stop and look for another path. Many times, as James says, our hardships or trials will help us to gain endurance. In my case, these disorders are helping me to make the leap into where God is calling me to go with humility. I know that I cannot count on my strength, so I am moving forward with Him before me.

As you move forward with faith, consider these action steps:

1. Embrace God’s Power in Your Life

Action: Identify an area in your life where fear or doubt has held you back. Pray and declare 2 Timothy 1:7 over your situation, affirming that God has given you power, not fear. Take one bold step in faith this week, trusting that God’s strength is working through you.

2. Walk in Love, Not Fear

Action: Choose love over fear in your daily interactions. Whether it’s forgiving someone, showing kindness to a stranger, or praying for a difficult situation, practice God's love in action. Reflect on Romans 8:28 and trust that even in challenges, God is working everything for your good.

3. Align Your Mind with God’s Promises

Action: Write down three affirmations based on Jeremiah 29:11, reminding yourself of God’s plans for your future. Meditate on them daily and replace negative thoughts with God’s truth, strengthening your mindset to move forward with faith.

Prayer

Lord, Thank You for the power, love, and sound mind You have given me. When fear and doubt try to hold me back, help me to stand firm in faith, trusting that You are working all things for my good. Align my heart with Your love, my steps with Your purpose, and my mind with Your truth. I surrender my future to You, knowing that Your plans are full of hope and promise. Strengthen me to move forward boldly, guided by Your Spirit.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

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