Two weeks ago, I was hospitalized for six days for another blood infection. It seems to be happening about every 5 to 6 weeks. Just as I was about to get disgusted over the situation, I found this blog post written in November 2016. It spoke to my heart this morning, so I am reposting it.
During most of my early Christian life I thought faith was a feeling. If I woke up feeling in a good mood and ready to face the world, I had great faith. On the days when I woke up and missed my morning Bible study and prayer, I would get disgusted and label myself as Ye of little faith. Sometimes I would be discouraged the entire day because of something I was too faithless to do, and I thought God was mad at me. I lived on the whim of my emotions and projected those feelings on God.
A friend of mine came for a visit and reminded me that faith is a call to decide. Although it can seem like a feeling at times, it is really an action word. As you read more of Hebrews 11 you find that Abraham acted on his faith by taking Isaac to the altar as a sacrifice. The Bible does not describe what he may have been feeling during the long walk, but he was a human being with the same emotions that you and I experience. I am sure that he had some deep emotions brewing in his heart that day, but he continued to place one foot in front of the other and even proceeded to tie up his son to ready him for sacrifice. Despite what Abraham’s emotions were telling him, he was earnestly seeking God by his actions.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
The friend that I mentioned above, who I consider to be one of my mentors in the faith, had to decide to continue to follow God and believe in his promises several years ago. She faced the unthinkable tragedy when her son took his life. Of course, there was a time of great mourning and many other emotions that accompany deep grief and loss. Yet, as she tells it, she had to decide to continue in her faith after this catastrophic event. I am sure it would have been very easy to get angry at God. I know I was angry for a couple of years after my accident occurred. How much more so losing a child.
I know from personal observation that my friend continues to make a daily decision to act on her faith. She regularly shares God’s goodness and grace with others because she knows that in addition to planting the seeds of faith in others, it will also bring her personal joy.
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones (Psalm 15:30).
I try to follow her example to let people know that despite the challenges in my life, I have much to be joyful about. God works out everything for the good.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Diary of a Quadriplegic 
Very true words! If we ran our life based only on emotions, I think we would take many wrong turns. Thank you for sharing this reminder, and I hope you are doing better very soon 🙏
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When my husband of 47 years got COVID in 2020, I prayed, we prayed. I had faith that could move mountains. I was sure that he will live. I could not imagine my life without him. I assumed that God knows that, and He will not leave me alone to be a widow. But with all my faith and prayers, Richmond passed and went to heaven. I was shocked. I was just not prepared for that. I was disappointed at my faith. But I was too grieved to think about it. For the next two weeks I was in a world of my own. I had no strength to ask God why. Something in me died that day…
Then God took the initiative. He showed me that my husband is in Heaven, alive forever. That I did not lose him. Both of us, one in heaven and the other on earth, we are still members of the same Body of Christ.
Then God said that I should continue the ministry my husband and I started together, a church in Africa. I asked for help to say yes. I said yes. I asked for the strength to work for Jesus. God supplied that strength. Like an injection, power from on high was supplied to me. It is 3 years since then. His grace is sufficient for me. Ministry has saved my life.
The reason I write my little testimony is to share a lesson I learned in the furnace True faith does not insist that God should obey its wishes. True faith obeys God! Faith obeys just the next revealed step and leaves the consequences with God. It is not our responsibility to know what or how God wants to use our pain. He is infinite and has infinite ways to glorify Himself in us. Thru life or thru death, I have learned to remove my eyes from the fire itself and thru tears, gaze at the Fourth Man in the fire, who thought me how to praise when all I wanted to do was to die.
My faith is stable now. More flexible. More courageous. More creative. I trust God and not my feelings or my ideas about my future. I will soon be 70. In my old age, I became fruitful. Faith gave birth to peace! To God be all the glory!
I hope that these words encourage you, sister Terri! God bless you!
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This is so very encouraging to me. You said, “true faith does not insist that God should obey its wishes. True faith obeys God!” And, “gaze at the Fourth Man in the fire…” You also said, “your faith is more flexible, more creative, and more courageous.” I loved hearing all of that! When we are challenged, stretched, and standing in the fire, we grow exponentially. Thank you for sharing your testimony.
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“True faith does not insist that God should obey its wishes. True faith obeys God! Faith obeys just the next revealed step and leaves the consequences with God.”
This is the most profound definition of faith outside of God’s word I have ever read. This one goes in the notebook.
And so encouraging to hear what God has and is doing in the latter years of your life!
As the saying goes: “A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted”.
Blessings to you!
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That is not a “little testimony”! Thank you sister for sharing life giving truths.
“Faith obeys just the next revealed step and leaves the consequences with God. It is not our responsibility to know what or how God wants to use our pain.”
I have seen this thru a many tears.
Yhank you for adding to Teri’s wonderful post.
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Dear brethren, I thank God for the way we encourage one another! This is the river of God moving towards glory!
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Excellent post, Terri! It is a choice we make every day.
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Excellent Terri!
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What a ministry you have sister. Thank you for choosing faith, your decision and walk is a true cup of cool water for many on that narrow path.
I am so grateful to you and for this blog. ❤️
“faith is a call to decide”
Amen.
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I needed to read this today, Terri.
Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️
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Love you
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I’m so sorry for yet another hospital stay. I’ll be praying the blood infection will stay away for good this time.
Thank you for sharing your friends wisdom.
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I am also praying for complete healing!
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I’m sorry to hear about the infection, but I totally agree with your musings on faith.
Thank you for visiting my blog so it could lead me to read this post on yours. Have a great day!
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Terri, your journey of faith continues to deepen you. You’ve grown so much and have so much to say that others need to hear. I pray that more people, many more, would read and be blessed by your words.
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Terri, just wanted to let you know your my Featured Blogger you today. WordPress has changed how reblogs are posted, so I wasn’t sure you’d receive a notification from them. Bless you, my friend.
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Wow! Thank you for that, Mitch. I’ll look for the notification and let you know.
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Pingback: The Decision of Faith | Mitch Teemley
Hi Mitch! I received the notification. And thank you again for doing this.
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As always, Terri, the honor is mine.
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Terri, wonderful post. It warmed my heart. (I couldn’t help but subscribe!)
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Thank you for supporting me!
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And I’ve subscribed to your blog. I love getting book reviews. Thank you!
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Thanks!🙂
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Terri, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t comment on your page “my story.” I’m not sure if that is how you meant to set it up or if it’s something wrong with my phone. But I just wanted to say thank you for posting that, and there is so much to work through (theologically) reading it. Your story is an inspiration!
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Excellent reminder – thank you 🙂
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Terri, my feelings of admiration for you and for your faith are overwhelming. And some people bemoan a bad hair day! God bless you. 🙂
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Bad hair days are the worst!
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A newly discovered friend’s blog led me to yours. I am in the midst of a very difficult season right now. I have lost my career that I have basically dedicated my whole life to and I am feeling very lost and angry. That job was basically my identity and now that it’s gone, I don’t even know which way to turn or what to do. I know a job does not compare to what you have been through or what your friend who lost a child has gone through but it still hurts me to my core. How did you find the courage to keep going? To not throw your fists up in the air and curse God for taking away so much from you? I am in awe and I thank you for sharing your story.
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Hello Terri. Your faith is a remarkable inspiration to me. Thank you.
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Thanks for sharing Terri 🌻
God can use people like you and I to impact other people’s lives regardless of how we are feeling, or even our physical limitations.
My illness has caused me to reevaluate what ministry looks like, as it looks very different to what my wife and I had envisaged – but I’m extremely thankful that He continues to use me ‘just as I am’ 🙂
Blessings to you and yours
Perry
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Thanks for sharing ❤️
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Terri, as always your faith and the sharing of your faith inspires me and apparently it also Dr. Leigh with her sharing. Thank you Terri for being that great inspiration to me. Thank you Heavenly Father for always moving in our hearts so that through whatever you allow to happen, we can continue to embrace your perfect plan for us all.
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I love you Kim
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