Easier Said Than Done

Easier Said Than Done

I would love to tell you all that I am perfect in my faith. There is never a time when my courage wavers or my actions don’t line up with my faithful desires. But that’s not true. I feel like “Have faith!” is something people say so often when you’re struggling but don’t really acknowledge that it’s much easier said than done. Having faith is a struggle that forced me to come before God daily. It’s the ideal that I strive for but have to remind myself about over and over.

We All Need Reminders

I’m overawed by people who seem to never struggle with faith and feel guilty when reading James. It seems that the “tossed by the waves” reference is just for me. But I think I’m too in my head about it. If having “faith” was such an easy thing for people, then there wouldn’t be so many biblical reminders about it. Instead of feeling bad about needing to be reminded – I can focus on the reminder itself. This morning, my bible reading was on Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

I found myself feeling glad of the reminder but then feeling bad about needing reminding again – until I read the rest of the chapter. I’ve read this chapter countless times and always focused on that very first verse about faith. I think today is the first time that I read the chapter and realized the implications of the rest of it. Paul cites example after example of how God has provided, showed up for, protected, and cared for His people. Meaning, of course, that they needed to be reminded too. We all need reminders.

Just Do It

James is kind of like your “Just DO It” guy in the bible, and Paul always seems to give explanations, context, and backstory. You need both in your life, right? Sometimes, you need that friend who’s like – “Just do what you gotta do” when the talking is done and it’s time to get to business. Other times, you need that friend who really digs into the why and how – struggles you might face – what they’ve been through, and all of that because it makes you feel like you’re not alone. The genius of the Bible is that the same message is told by so many people in countless ways. There is always a way for you to relate.

Repetition

I like reading James because it’s like a bullet-point instruction manual for life. Paul’s letters remind me that Even when I know what to do – there will be times I don’t get it right. But that’s ok as long as I don’t give up and just keep pressing on toward the goal. Paul reminds us that things don’t always go as planned. Sometimes, we struggle even when we know the truth. That in and of itself is comforting. It’s ok if I need to be reminded to have faith – repetition is valuable. Just ask any bodybuilder.

 

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Keep Thriving!