Choose Belief…

Spending a week (or more) sick can bring a whole new perspective.

Why are we surprised each time when we go through the inconvenience, pain, and agony of the common cold/flu/whatever is going around – that we come out on the other side with a soul rest we desperately needed? I hate getting sick: it messes up my calendar, nothing gets done that should, I worry I’m spreading it to family. Then a week or so later I realize that by not being able to think clearly (or at all) my brain might actually be ready to hear God’s whispers.

At the beginning of this still-not-over but-much-better round of yuck, I lay in bed begging: ‘God just lay Your healing hands on me, I’m supposed to be watching my grandson, I’m supposed to be doing many things’. N-o-t-h-i-n-g. A day or two later: ‘God, really, this can’t go on, I need Your healing now.’ Yes, I actually told Him ‘now’. So grateful He just smiles and thinks ‘Paris, Paris p-l-e-a-s-e let me be in control’ (since He is anyway).

Funny how when we feel good, have what we need, think we’re in control it’s easy to say ‘Oh yeah, I trust God in all things’. Honestly, how long does it take to grow up and mature in God to the point that you don’t see in the mirror a little girl saying ‘now’, (hands on hips optional)?

In Max Lucado’s book Glory Days (excellent by the way) he tells of a father who lost one of his children to a freak accident. Six years after the incident they happened to meet. Hurting no less for the loss, the father testified as to how he’s made it through: “Faith is a choice.” Max said this about Jesus followers:”When forced to stand at the crossroads of belief and unbelief, they choose belief.”

“We live by faith, not by sight.” (2Corinthians 5:7 NIV)

And so on the worst night of my illness when the pain in my cheeks was so bad I wanted to pass out, I passed words into the throne room of heaven ‘Father, You have seen me through all things and I am certainly not as miserable as the poor people in Houston are right now. I can’t even imagine their pain and suffering. I trust You to work out things for me and pray great things for Texas in the aftermath. In Jesus Name, Amen’

Was I healed in the morning – no – but the pain was gone and I found a great doctor at the local urgent care – and my spirit was renewed. Today I CHOOSE BELIEF in the great I AM.