Flexible Faith

If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.

Matthew 17:20

HAVE YOU EVER HAD BIG PLANS with a lot of details that had to fall into place with perfect timing? Maybe it was when you built the shop in the backyard. There wasn’t much extra space, so everything needed to be delivered in the right order. The concrete truck had to be able to turn around in the backyard without piles of building supplies in the way.

Next, you wanted the lumber to frame up the building, then shingles for the roof. And you really didn’t want all the stuff for finishing the inside—drywall, paint, electrical, plumbing—until you were ready to use it.

But the building supply company brought the shingles early and left them right where the concrete truck would need to turn around. Then a huge box of light fixtures, switches, and wiring that you’d ordered online was the second item to arrive. Suddenly, you had to adapt and go to Plan B.

Sometimes, faith is like that—we’re praying, working toward a goal, and even trusting God to make things happen the way we think they ought to. But we have to learn to be flexible when God works in unexpected ways and to be grateful for however He responds to our faith. As we live by faith, we move ahead by God’s timetable, not ours. And we experience a lot more peace when we don’t try to control everything, but instead leave it up to God.

BOTTOM LINE

Learning to be flexible will strengthen your faith and help you cultivate patience and gratitude. Is there an area in your life right now that needs this approach?

Moment of Strength: Galatians 2:19-21