“He was fully convinced that what God promised he was able to do.” (Romans 4:21, NET)

Have you ever been disoriented? In our early twenties, my husband, Chris, and I lived at Fort Lenard Wood, Missouri. We had moved there during the summer, and while I loved the season, I was looking forward to the winter months. Our neighbors told us to be ready for a spectacular view when it snows. They were right! During our first winter there, the snow was gorgeous and fun to play in. However, being from the South, I had not driven in snow, but I thought to myself, “How difficult can this be?” The weekend had ended, and it was time to test my theory as I headed to work. I was about one mile from our home before my car slid to the left. I reacted and frantically turned my steering wheel hard right, which then caused my car to spin in circles along with my compass nestled in the dashboard. I was out of control and disoriented! When my car came to a stop, I found myself facing the wrong direction on the road!

I liken this experience to other life events that disorient us. We are going on about life, and we:

  • Receive a life-threatening diagnosis.
  • Unmask betrayal by someone we trusted.
  • Experience a sudden sense of depression that overshadows our soul.

When caught off guard by our circumstances, we can easily allow the blinding glare from the icy landscape to generate a reaction that disorients our faith compass. In seeking God, we know He can do the impossible but doubt that He will do it for us.

Have you been there?

Have you wondered if what you believe has been in vain?

Have you wondered if God’s promises have passed over you?

Have you wondered if God cares?

I’m drawn to consider Abraham’s faith compass. It was set toward God’s faithfulness and sovereignty even when God’s promise to him to be a father of many nations seemed impossible. Forgive me for oversimplifying—God made a promise to Abraham that he would conceive a child with Sarah even though their bodies were way past child-bearing capability (Genesis 15). And yet Abraham says—God, If you say so, then it will be so. It is Abraham’s simple faith that justified him before God (Romans 4:3).

Oh, to maintain such simple faith! It would keep our faith compass steady and our internal compass pointing toward hope.

When our faith compass spins out of control, we can reorient ourselves by acknowledging our inner battle against human nature. It’s our nature to seek control. As a child of God, even though our circumstances may shake us, our faith is anchored on the steady fact God is in control and He is the same God to you and me that He was to Abraham (Hebrews 13:8).

What God promises, He delivers. He will never respond with:

  • Well, I tried, but it ended up being too difficult for Me.
  • I’m sorry you misunderstood Me; that promise was not meant for you.
  • I regret I made that promise to you because I was way too busy working with this people group overseas and misjudged My capacity to control all things at once.

If we are honest, we either have considered God making such statements within our souls or have been tempted to when He seems elusive in our circumstances. When we are in the darkness of depression, crying out to Him for relief from physical or emotional pain, or trapped in a stronghold pleading for a way forward, we hope that God will supernaturally come to our rescue. As days, months, and years go by with hope unfulfilled, our faith compass begins to spin in all directions.

But what if we evaluate our hope one last time and discover it’s not in vain? (Romans 5:1-5)

What if, like Abraham, we reckon with hope against hope and believe God? (Romans 4:18)

What if God has been doing a more profound work of dependence on Him within your soul? (Psalm 62)

Maybe you need a shift in perspective; one that allows light into your fading hope in Your Creator. You may be just one degree, one slight tilt, or one angle away from seeing Him work on your behalf.

We can remain disoriented in our faith or, act on the truths we know to reorient our hope. When I struggle to believe God for His promises, I act on what I know over and over until my faith compass starts pointing me toward the heart of God. I know He is for me, loves me, sees me, knows my name, and will never abandon me. I know what He has done for me at the cross so I can spend eternity with Him.

What do you know about God?

Perhaps, like Abraham, God desires that you come to the end of yourself, admit that you are as good as dead, and cease to strive in your efforts. In other words, recognize that even if God does not respond with divine intervention, He is still in control, He is still loving, He is still for you and not against you, and He is still working behind the scenes even if you don’t see the evidence. Your hope is not in vain.

On that snowy day, when my car came to a stop and I assessed what must be done to avoid oncoming traffic, I responded with clarity rather than reacting with panic. Although I was a little late and frazzled, I made it to work. You, too, will get reoriented as you move towards God’s ability to see you through. He is faithful, so I encourage you to be like Abraham and have simple faith in Him, too.

Ask Yourself:

What character of God do I need to focus on to help me remember He is the same faithful God He has been in the past? What Scripture can I write on a three-by-five card to help me pursue God within my heart, mind, and soul?

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Book Update:

P.S. Some of you have asked for an update about my book. I am currently waiting for those edits to return! (Insert biting fingernails emoji)