A woman called the Dr. Laura Schlessinger show because she felt she was losing her faith in God. She said she was a believer, whose nephew had died in Afghanistan and it was making her question God. Dr. Laura made the statement that the woman really didn’t have faith because she said she believed and had faith as long as tragedy didn’t hit her door but once it did she lost her faith, thereby negating the faith in the first place. Dr. Laura pointed out that many soldiers had died in Afghanistan why didn’t the woman lose her faith then?
I stopped my work to listen to this call because this is an interesting dynamic we face as believers of Christ. We walk steady until the rubber meets the road then some of us waffle. I remember a few days or so after my husband died and I lie in bed one night unable to sleep. I cried out to God, “I need to know you’re with me. I need to know you have a plan because right now it doesn’t make sense to me. I need to know I’m not alone because right now I feel desolate.” God doesn’t mind my questions but c’mon, either I believe he’s with me in the good and bad or I’m lying to myself.
James 2:20 NKJV
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
It’s those rubber meets the road decisions that will come to test out if what we believe are merely words or actually action? Let’s be honest, this relates to everything in our lives not only our belief in God. Do we vow for better or worse to our spouse then bale when the worst comes? Or worse, make them pay forever for their sin. Do we believe that adultery is wrong until the sexy co-worker makes a pass? Are you like me, who wakes up with a resolve to eat right each morning, and then someone brings you a chocolate cake and you have two slices instead of a half of one?
Do we really believe what we say we believe or do we believe it as long as it isn’t actually happening to us? Do we live what we believe or are we like Dr. Laura’s caller who loses her faith the moment something doesn’t go her way? Life is life, it will hand us good, bad, ugly, and beautiful days. Will we thank God for them all or will pick and choose only the good ones and turn our backs on Him for the bad ones?
Pastor Susan 
Thank you for your insights….and support. This is a central issue. I appreciate your take. warmly, drl
love the “rubber meets the road” .. great visual!
There’s so much to consider with this and I think it all comes down to believing, understanding, and trust. If we believe God is who He says He is, if we understand that we don’t often (maybe never) see the big picture but He does, if we trust that He has everyone’s best interests at heart, then we will have faith no matter what.
Job questioned and grieved, even shook his fists at Heaven, but he also said, “I know my redeemer lives and with these eyes I will see Him.” Daniel’s three friends believed God could save them from the jealous retribution of the Babylonian king, yet chose to throw their lot in with Him even if He didn’t. Habakkuk knew the tough times of his people were going to get much tougher, yet he said he would rejoice in God his maker. That’s faith!
All of Heaven’s best,
Margret