Walk By Faith

We all have those moments in life that define us. Not those moments that allow others to define us, but those moments that truly allow us to see that we are stronger than we think we are. Until a few months ago, I struggled with being a people pleaser. It was easier to do what someone else wanted me to do. Somehow, it took less faith. Somehow, it took the guess work out of my life. While I thought this gave me freedom, I realized I was walking in bondage. We are not all called to do the same thing. Each one of us has a unique God-given talent. Sometimes, using that talent takes a leap of faith, as in my case.  

For me, doing what other people wanted me to do was a twisted concept of Christianity. I thought that as long as it looked good and I earned respect from others, it was the right thing to do. I struggled to write the true story of what happened that really set me free, but then I realized that being candidly Christian meant putting the truth out there; whether it was beautiful or ugly, it is truth and it has to come out. Recently, I worked in the banking industry. Despite popular belief, there is nothing inherently evil about banks. I had a good job, making a decent wage, and I felt like I had more respect. But I was miserable. I shouldn’t have been. I met all my goals, was friendly to customers; I knew my job. But something was missing.  In short, one day I had a break down; not a break though, a literal break down. I was a mess. I had gotten one bad shop and it sent me over the mental edge. (For those of you who don’t know, bonuses and raises- on most retail jobs- are given off of the number of PERFECT 5 scores an employee receives. One score of “four”, and it’s considered a “bad” shop.) I have been mentally exhausting myself, doing everything in my power to please our customers and I still wasn’t good enough. I couldn’t take it. I took the rest of the day off without pay. It was a Friday and I knew if I could just get home to rest, I could be ok. At the prompting of my boss, I called the employee assistance line. I was being brutally honest, and I didn’t care if it was reported or not; I had to get it out.

This is where my break though came. This moment I will never forget. I was sitting on the phone with the counselor and she said, “It seems like you do a lot of things to make other people happy.”  I paused for a moment and said, “Yes, I’m sort of a people pleaser. I always have been.” Then she asked me a question that changed my life: “How would it feel to do something for yourself, even if it made other people unhappy?”  I won’t go into all the sorted details, but something inside me changed that day. It was as if, for the first time in my life, I had permission to be me. I knew the Lord was calling me to write. I didn’t know where or how to get started. I just knew that if He was call me to it, He would walk me through it.

Little had I know, suppressing the gift the Lord had given we was a form of walking in disobedience. My pastor used to say, “Obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings pain.” And I was in turmoil for years because I was not doing what my Father called me to do. For me, writing to you (my audience) is a ministry. Not just a ministry to you, but a ministry to myself. The Word tells us to encourage ourselves in the Lord. Sometimes, we have to do things that line up with the Word of God that will displease other people.

Walking by faith is not always easy. When the bills are piling up and there is more week than paycheck, it’s easy to get discouraged. But God promises that if we put our trust in Him, we will have every provision we need. Walking by faith requires not knowing where you are going, but trusting the Guide to get you there.

Prayer:

Gracious Father,

Thank you for all of Your provision. I thank You Lord that if You call me to walk by faith, You will equip me with the tools I need. Thank You Father that I can put my trust in You fully. You are my All in All. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Scripture References:

1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

Psalm 26:3 (NIV)

For I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

Teach me your way, lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Psalm 101:6 (NIV)

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.

Romans 1:12 (NCV)

I mean that I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

For we live by faith, not by sight.

Thought Builder:

Stop for a moment and consider your talents. Are you using them in a God-glorifying way?

How can you help someone, who may not know how, discover their God-given talents?

What are you doing to encourage your talents and the talents of others?

Love LIFE (LoveIsForEver):

For a fun date, take your love to a local “paint-your-own” ceramic store, or go to your local craft store, and pick a funny ceramic that represents something to each of you. Even though they may be against it at first, it will encourage bonding and conversation. Exchange ceramics at the end of the date, and explain why you chose that specific piece.