Feeling a little 'diminished'?

Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (Hebrews 12:2)

Does your faith ever feel like it is dwindling? There is one thing we can do whenever this happens - go look at Christ did when his faith was battered and worn by life's demands. He withdrew into prayer - times to talk with his Father one-on-one. He got with his good friends to share ideas, hear their stories, and feel their support. He sat down and ate at rest with those he enjoyed company with. He did what he knew to do and left the rest to God.

We will find these times of 'flagging faith' no matter how well we are walking with God - it is only natural to be challenged at times - it is how our faith actually has a chance to grow! If you get frustrated with yourself whenever you face these 'faith-diminished' moments, you are less likely to be open to 'how' God 'fixes' our faith in those moments. We won't recognize the value of close friendships that actually bolster us in our faith when we listen to their encouragement, hear their similar stories of challenge, and see how they continue on. We won't take time away to get our hearts and minds right with God.

This verse begins with, "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it." We don't have to stay in our 'diminished-faith' position - we are being cheered on, as everything around us is changing, in anticipation of us actually moving beyond the changes we are see all around us. God remains faithful - his plan is certain. God is constant, even when everything around us is changing - when our faith is challenged, it isn't that God is changing, he is just changing us.

Considering the various examples we are given in life actually serves to pump faith into our souls. Hearing the faith-memories of our close relations might just challenge us to consider the present stuff we are experiencing in a new light - seeing it through their eyes just a bit differently. Listening intently to what God is telling us in times of prayer, worship, and study in his Word opens us up to see our 'faith-diminished' position as a 'launching pad' to our next leap of faith instead of an anchor that holds us back. Just sayin!