Stop dodging the difficult

​The reason I know God the way I do is because of the mountains we’ve climbed together and not because of the mountains He’s moved. Does God move mountains? Sure, but there have been quite a few mountains He’s left for me to climb instead. Those mountains have become monuments in my faith. They are times I look back on knowing that God is good, faithful and with me every step of the way.

In the article 5 Things you should know about faith I spoke about how faith is not always easy.

I encounter so many people who seem to be satisfied with an average relationship with God. Trust is built in the deep, dark, and difficult places and not where everything seems to be working out as it should.
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Let us not forget that it is faith that moves mountains (Matthew 17:20) and faith is strengthened through perseverance (Romans 5:3-4; James 1:3-4).

​My friend the missionary

​​I have a 20 year old friend who’s a full time missionary in Papua New Guinea. I’ve actually been meaning to do an article with her because she truly inspires me. 

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​Amelia was willing to pack up her life and follow God into the unknown. She has captured God’s heart for the lost to such an extent that she’s willing to sacrifice herself on their behalf. Is that not what Jesus would’ve done?

What does God ask of you?
God might not be asking you to become a missionary on the other side of the planet, but He does ask something of you. There’s a cost to following Jesus – but most of the time we want to receive all the benefits without the cost. 

​Don’t get me wrong – Jesus already paid the cost of your salvation. He loves you unconditionally and bestows upon you the free gift of grace. There is, however, only one appropriate response to such grace. In the words of James 2:18

“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."

​Grace might be freely given, but it is certainly not free – it was paid for by Jesus. He gave His life for you – He deserves yours.

​God created mankind in His image and although this image has been distorted through sin, Jesus has given us the opportunity to restore this image through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Becoming like God requires walking alongside Him – mimicking His ways. 

"...most of the time we want to receive all the benefits without the cost."

Stop escaping - start embracing
If you’re going to become like God it’s going to require you to step out of your comfort zone and let go of a few unhealthy habits. It’s going to ask you to take a deeper look at your heart and deal with un-forgiveness and old wounds. It’s going to take times of prayer, times of listening, times of crying and being really honest. It’s going to take commitment and perseverance. It’s going to take boldness and courage.

​He is good
Something God has really challenged me with while starting 2019 is not measuring whether or not it will be a “good” year based on whether or not I have good experiences, but whether or not God reveals His goodness.

​Perhaps if you stop looking at the issues around you and start looking towards your Father you will realize the insignificance of your own problems. This is actually something I’ve realized about times of worship. Often during worship I will come to God with my problems instead of laying them down to simply worship Him for who He is. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who does this. If the motive of your heart is to solve your own issues - are you truly worshipping God or are you worshipping yourself? 

"Perhaps if you stop looking at the issues around you and start looking towards your Father you will realize the insignificance of your own problems"

​What are you hungry for?
I happen to think God sometimes allows a drought in our lives to help us become aware of our hunger for Him.

​Instead we’re so busy filling our lives with “junk food” that will never be able to fill us. We need to stop trying to cope on our own and realize our dependence on God. We need Him.

"God sometimes allows a drought in our lives to help us become aware of our hunger for Him."

​You probably know the verse in Jeremiah 29:11 about God’s good plans for you. I happen to love verse 13 which says:

 “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

​Perhaps God’s good and prosperous plans are for you to know Him more intimately. Ultimately, this world can offer nothing better. 

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​So you might be standing in front of a mountain or maybe you’re already half way up and it feels like you can’t go any further. It’s time to embrace the process, take His hand and conquer that mountain. One step of faith at a time; discover the warrior within you.

“...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” - Isaiah 40:31

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​More about Amelia

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​For more information or inspiring stories from Amelia; go and visit her blog
​@ finisterreambassador.org

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