Trusting In Advance - Turning Points with God

[Abraham was] fully convinced that what [God] had promised He was also able to perform.

Romans 4:21

Phillip Yancey wrote, “Faith is trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” That reminds us of Paul’s analogy, likening faith to a shield that deflects the arrows of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16). Our difficulties are darts Satan throws to cause us depression and defeat. Nothing is more stressful than disunity at church, broken relationships at work, disagreement among friends, or division in the home. We can’t make sense of these things when they occur, but we can trust God with the outcome.

Faith lifts us up as we determine to trust God despite the circumstances, being fully convinced that He is able to do what He has said. He has promised to work all things together for good, to hear and answer our prayers, to guard our hearts and minds with His peace, to never leave or forsake us, and to restore our souls (Romans 8:28; John 15:7; Philippians 4:7; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 23:3).

Faith is trusting God because of His promises. Life in a Christian environment isn’t easy, but you can stand up to Satan’s attacks when you know who you’re fighting against. You can deflect his darts with the shield of faith.

When [God] finds a soul penetrated with a living faith, He pours into it His graces and favors plentifully; there they flow like a torrent.

BROTHER LAWRENCE