No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.  Romans 4:20-21

It’s impossible to believe that God is faithful if distrust plaugues my world view.  Satan knows the power of a negative mindset and, very early, introduces pain and betrayal into our stories.  In response, we close off our hearts, live in fear and never fully trust people again.  The enemy knows what will be next; distrust of God.

Abraham would not allow any distrust to make him waver concerning God’s promises.  What were the areas of distrust he could have wallowed in?  His age and ability to father a child.  Sarah’s old womb.  Ridicule from those around him.  Abram’s name meant ‘father of many’.  He was, at that time, father of none.  God renamed him “Abraham” which meant ‘father of a multitude.’  Is this the promise of a twisted God?  A cynical man could have laughed and refused to own the name.  Instead, Abram announced his new name and probably sustained many jokes. 

Abraham made a choice to believe that God is faithful.  So must I.  The more pain I have suffered in my life, especially as a child, the more difficult it will be to trust His character.  I must push through all the internal objections to the perceived feasibility of God’s faithfulness to His promises! 

Faith begins with a choice to believe the One who is faithful.  It has a chance to grow when the Word penetrates my heart and exposes distrust.  At every fork in the road, one way marked “Disbelief” and the other marked “Belief”, I choose the one that believes God.  Then I feed myself the spiritual food necessary to stay on the hard path one more day.

For all of you whose faith walk is tenuous, Jesus, the faithful One, is praying for you.

Thank you for the stories of faith.  Abraham is my brother in Christ and his choice