Friday, October 30, 2009

FAITH OF A MUSTARD SEED

Today is Spiritual Sunday and I have thought and prayed for a few days now on what I might share this week. Truthfully, I talked for a while with my son John about this, and he encouraged me to share something from my heart that has had a profound effect on my life. The story is long, and I apologize for that, but at the end you will see "why" it was so significant to me.

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say this to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you...Matthew 17:20

For God, there is no problem too complex, no force too strong, and no enemy too powerful. If we don't believe our prayers are effective, they won't be. It's just that simple, and yet that profound. Webster describes the word faith as "unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence, unquestioning belief in God, a religion or a system of religious beliefs, anything believed, complete trust, confidence or reliance."

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

To me, these verses describe a mighty God who can do anything at all, however large or small. I believe in life that everyone at different times, depending on their circumstances, has differing capacities for faith. But while our ability to have faith in God is limited as human beings, God's ability to protect and care for us has no limit.

When I was 25 years old, I had been married for a few years and had 2 young boys and a brand new baby. To say I was somewhat overwhelmed would have been putting it mildly. We faced most of the usual problems that young couples face, in that we had very little money, LOTS of bills, and very little time to do much more than care for 3 very young children. We had been Christians for a few years at this point in time, and I was in church and in my Bible at every opportunity that I could accomplish it. I would have told you at that point if I had been asked, that I had a LARGE amount of faith in a very mighty God. However, that faith was put to test shortly after the birth of my third son. My middle son had suffered with asthma from the time he had been almost a year old, and at this time he was about 3. He began having attack after attack, and we spent many a night in the emergency room getting breathing treatments and shots to help him breathe as a result. And when we weren't at the hospital, we were in the doctors office it seemed. My oldest son who was 7, was in school of course at that time, and so we had all the usual things that went along with that. Homework to be done, bed at a decent hour, and getting him there and back etc. Now throw in the care of a brand new baby, recovering from childbirth, operating on a very limited amount of sleep, cooking, cleaning, laundry and all the other jobs that go along with motherhood, and you can begin to get a "feel" of where I was. When the baby was 3 weeks old he came down with pneumonia, and 3 days later I was diagnosed with mono. I really had no one at that time in my life who could help me. My husband was a wonderful help when he was there, but of course he had to work as we desperately needed that paycheck coming in. I'd like to say that was the final straw, but it wasn't. Just as I was SLOWLY recovering from the mono, I began experiencing what I know now to be (but didn't at the time), panic attacks. All I really knew for sure was I thought that I was surely dying at any moment and worried about who would take over the job with my children in that event. I couldn't get anyone to help me out occasionally, let alone take over the whole thing if I were to die. I cried out to the Lord of course, but He (it seemed) remained silent. I had attack after attack, each equally as frightening, and went to the doctors time after time, with no answers. They ran tests, and made guesses, but nothing seemed to stop them. I guess back in those days, panic attacks were not as quickly or as easily diagnosed as they are today. Or possibly MY doctor was not familiar with them, but this went on for many, many weeks. I lost weight and seemed to catch every little bug that went around as well. I began to feel as if my faith had failed me, in addition to the doctors who couldn't seem to figure out the problem. Finally when it seemed as though I had no where else to turn, I began to see that all I really had left was a VERY SMALL amount of faith in God. I began to pray more diligently, and search the scriptures constantly looking for His words of comfort and direction. This was when I came across this scripture and realized that if I had a very small mustard seed of faith (I had that alright) I could STILL move mountains in my life, IF that small amount of faith was placed in a very mighty God. Now one night as I again could feel the beginning of an attack, my husband was home, and I headed to my bedroom to lay on the bed and hope that the attack wouldn't be too bad. I began to pray (as I usually did) and ask God to please see me through it. I had, what I consider to this day, a very miraculous thing happen to me that night. In the midst of this attack, which was as bad as it had ever been, I felt the very real presence of God in that room. It was very overwhelming. I felt a peace fill my spirit and heart that was immediately calming and very obviously beyond all understanding. My heart rate (which soared during attacks) immediately slowed, and suddenly quite literally, it was over. In the past some of my attacks would last for LONG periods of time, and never ended suddenly, but slowly leaving me drained and spent. I have to this day, NEVER experienced another attack. I would love to say that I never worry or have any anxiety about anything at all, but that wouldn't be true. But I have never had another full blown panic attack. I believe God at that time, and in that way, delivered me from this particular affliction. I did nothing to bring this about. I didn't deserve it. I simply prayed to a mighty God, with a very small amount of faith, and BELIEVED He could deliver me if He chose to. And He did. I have such an overwhelming gratitude to Him for this I could never really express it properly. I don't believe that if He had not delivered me it would have meant I didn't muster up enough faith to accomplish this, or that it in any way means that it is always God's will to heal everyone of whatever it is they suffer from. God's will and purposes are always best. I believe He was teaching me that a tiny amount of faith just has to be put in a VERY mighty God, who has everything in His perfect control, and that trusting Him is the best place for me to be.

You will
seek ME and

find ME

when you
seek ME
with
all your heart.


Jeremiah 29:13


To read other Spiritual Sunday blogs click HERE and you will be sooo blessed. Have a wonderful worship day!! So many thanks to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this wonderful event.


26 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie,
    What an awesome testimony of the faithfulness of God. I am so glad you have shared this.For more reasons than you will ever know, and as always I am so blessed when I come by.
    Thank you for your most encouraging words yesterday.
    Hugs and blessings,
    Sue

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  2. This is a beautiful testimony of God's healing power, Debbie, and His great love for you. He doesn't always heal when we ask, but if our faith in Him is because of who He is and not just what he can do for us, I believe that is a pure, mustard seed faith. Believing in Him, no matter what happens is what moves His heart, and those mountains of doubt. I loved reading this today...so encouraging and inspiring!

    God bless you,
    Mary

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  3. Oh my goodness! What trying times!!!
    I too married quite young, and by 23 had two babies!!! Life was tough a good deal of the time. I waited until the girls were 6 and 8 before I had my son Drew. Phew...a whole different experience!!

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  4. Thanks for sharing this beautiful post sweetie.

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  5. this is a powerful testimoney Debbie. Funny how God uses what we think at the time is something that will kill us - to make us strong and solid in Him. Sarah

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  6. I am so glad you shared this with us today so we can praise our amazing God with you. It is such an encouragement to me.

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  7. Debbie,
    Thank you for sharing your heartfelt journey and for your kind visit and comment on my post about Kathleen King’s Memory Mitten Ministry!

    I just want to clarify that it is not I who has helped others recapture their memories. It is Kathleen, a wonderful young wife and mother who has helped many after the loss of a loved one. Though I have never met Kathleen in person, I was so stirred by her inspiring work that I wanted to write about it and share it with others!

    Have a great and beautiful Sunday! Coralie

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  8. WOW! What a wonderful testimony. God is almighty that's for sure.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  9. Hi Debbie,
    I can really identify with your expierence because , I too have had panic attack for good part of my life. I say I am now in remission because I can go years without them and then, Boom they can come again right out of the blue. But I have felt that calming nearness of Jesus being so close in my worst times also. Thanks so much for sharing 8~)
    Blessings & Huggs,
    Myrna

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  10. Oh, Debbie... what a beautiful testimony to our loving and powerful God! He WILL take care of us and He WILL provide -- if only we have faith and we trust!

    Thank you so for sharing this with us today!!

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  11. Praise the Lord for healing you from panic attacks! My husband had a huge one during our honeymoon and has been struggling with anxiety and panic attacks here and there ever since (over 18 years now). We have been praying for healing according to His will, and we know God's timing is the best. Thanks so much for sharing this!

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  12. Hebrews 11:1 is one of my most favorite verses. I have faith in God and through time I have learned that he does a better job at steering my life than I do.

    It was wonderful to meet you through Spritual Sundays. My prayers go out for your and your family that God continue to bless you.

    Yoli

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  13. Ive heard the story before but its one I really love....how weird to think of you in your 20s! just kidding, kind of :)

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  14. What an awesome testimony of the greatness of God's power. I also posted about a miraculous healing of cancer... 36 years ago. Nothing is too hard for the Lord, to those that BELIEVE!

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  15. Thank you for writing this for the blog... a very tough time for you and your family. You really held on and God delivered. Makes me realize I'm not alone...there have been many mommy's who needed help.

    Your faith may help someone else today, too! Another blessing.

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  16. Oh Debbie,
    Thank you for sharing this wonderful testimony of your Faith on this beautiful November Sunday. I am so touched. Sometimes the opening of ones' heart, helps so many others along the way. I believe that is what is so wonderful about our blogs. We help heal each other in ways we sometimes don't even realize are possible. We never know who's heart we may be talking to.

    I pray your family is well. I thank you so much for your loving friendship, thoughts and prayers. Country hugs and love, Sherry

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  17. Dear Debbie, I am so glad I read your story today. I have been so busy lately and a long post was hared for me to take in because of such time constraints. Today I had more time and I am thankful I did. Your story is sad and I know you went through bad times but look where your seed of faith took you. Sometimes we think of ourselves as these words... Ye of little faith. I will never think that again. A little faith can be everything if we trust God to hear our smallest prayer. We need to persevere with our faith. Thank you so much for your story Debbie.

    Blessings, Jeanne

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  18. Hi Sweetie,
    Love this testimony, gal! We wonder why we go through this stuff and it is just so He can make us more like Him!! His main concern our holiness not happiness!
    It's amazing that He receives so little from us compared to what He gives! That is perfect love, isn't it? What a loving, compassionate Lord we serve! And what a wonderful friend He is, too!

    So glad He delivered you from your panic attacks. He recently delivered me from fear in a number of areas!

    Thanks so much for sharing, Debbie!!
    Have a wonderlful Monday!!
    Love n hugs,
    Becky

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  19. I loved reading about the healing presence of God and faith as big as a mustard seed. Our God is a mighty God. Praise God for this miracle.

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  20. Great is the Lord. Wonderful post.
    Have a great week

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  21. This is an inspiring, encouraging and wonderful testimony. It may me excited about my faith in God. That small amount of faith you had at the time was more than enough to accomplish great things. Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you!!

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  22. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my post about Jason and Patti's engagement ring. How kind of the Lord to remind us that we are in a legal relationship and a love relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

    Hallelujah! What a Savior!

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  23. What a beautiful testimony. Thank you for sharing it!

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  24. Debbie,
    What an inspirational post. The power of God...wow.

    You certainly did have your hands full at a young age, no wonder you can relate so well to Kristi.

    I have been wanting to stop by too and tell you how much I enjoyed visiting with you at Kristi's. I feel like we know each other from these blogs and it would be great fun to get together sometime. Your daughter is as sweet as she is beautiful and that was a bonus getting to meet her too. I hope you enjoyed your visit with her. Talk to you soon... again I loved this post.
    Maryrose

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  25. I came over from Cathy's link...glad I did...what an awesome testimony!

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!