Dear Resolute!

You end your letter with “Why?” I think you are asking why you are strong in your faith even when times are tough and when others are not strong. Well, you are blessed to have a gift of faith that goes beyond the faith given when you first believed in Jesus for your salvation. The gift of faith is listed in 1 Corinthians 12:9 and it is a gift of the Holy Spirit which He gives when you need it. The gift of faith puts a tenacity in you that keeps you believing in God’s goodness and His promises no matter what the situation, kinda like a dog with a bone!

I have this gift and it is wonderful but it does make you feel alone at times. I remember the Holy Spirit gave me the gift of faith when I was believing for my husband to get saved. For six years, I saved a seat next to me in church, knowing one day Vic would walk in and sit next to me. People would tell me he is never coming to Christ, but the gift of faith would rise in me and I would firmly rebuke them using 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. And one day Vic did come and sit next to me. It took six years but he finally saw the truth and gave his heart to the Lord. Trust and tenacity! Don’t lose this gift!

A recent “Daily Bread” devotional gave insight into the buoyancy that faith can provide when coping with life’s many demands. The word buoyancy means the quality of being able to float. If you are in water and pushed under you bounce right back up, and that is exactly what our faith in God does for us. No matter how hard the enemy hits, he cannot keep us under because we will bounce right back up! Knowing this brings a firm confidence and joy to our heart!

The believer has God’s promise, “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31). Our daily reading of the Bible—God’s love letter to us—keeps our faith strong and unmovable!

Keep your eyes on Jesus and not on what others believe or don’t believe. We are accountable before God for what we do in our walk, not anyone else’s. Remember, the wishy-washy Christians and unbelievers are watching you and how your faith stays high in the midst of troubled times. Keep showing them how it is done by believing and trusting in God’s promises!

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10