My Daddy Can Fix It
By Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Nori is our youngest grandchild. Her blue eyes, quick smile, and spunky personality will capture your heart in a split second. But one of the things I love most about Nori is the faith she has in her daddy. It is the kind of faith I want to have in my God.
Our son Jered is a construction project manager and a master carpenter. Since he was a little boy, he has loved building and repairing things. That love has grown into a profession that now provides for his family.
One Sunday all of the kids and grandkids were at our house for lunch. The six grandkids were playing in our basement while the adults visited upstairs. Suddenly I heard Nori sniffling her way up the stairs. I stopped what I was doing in the kitchen and met her at the top of the stairs with a big hug. “What’s wrong, honey?” I asked. She held up her broken toy and said, “Mimi, it’s bwoke!” I wiped away her tears and said, “It’s okay, Nori. Mimi will get you another one.” With a shake of her head, Nori grinned and said, “No! Daddy fix it!” She wiggled out of my arms and ran to find her daddy who did indeed fix it.
Faith is the deeply-rooted confidence that God can “fix” any problem in our lives. He may not always fix it the way we would choose, but He always takes what is broken and fixes it for our good.
Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see. Faith is willing to take risks, embrace the unseen, and step away from the safety of the shore.
Too often, we fear the outcome or don’t understand the step God has asked us to take.
We are afraid to fail.
We are more concerned about our reputation as a Christian than we are about being obedient to God. As long as the enemy can keep us preoccupied with a selfish perspective, our faith is impotent.
Many people say they do believe God is who He says He is, and that He is able to do what He says He will do, but falter at the point of believing God is willing to work in their lives. If we don’t believe He is willing to keep His promises, we are not walking in faith.
Belief is worthless until it changes the way we live.
If we don’t live it, we don’t really believe it.
Even the disciples struggled with believing God. The disciples had personally witnessed God’s willingness and power to save His children. But in Matthew 14, we find them in a boat, caught in a storm – afraid and still questioning God’s willingness to rescue them.
Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water (Matthew 14:25, NCV).
Did they cry out in fear? Yes!
Did He come? Yes!
Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water, between three and six o’clock in the morning, the darkest time of the night. I have often wished I could have been on that boat with the disciples, waiting for Jesus to show up. I imagine the questions and complaints were flying.
“Why would Jesus send us out here, knowing the waves were high?”
“Where is He? Why is He waiting so long to rescue us?”
“Can’t He just calm the waves like He did before?”
“Seriously! I ministered all day long and this is my reward?”
“Is He really coming? I don’t understand!”
Sound familiar? It does to me.
We are quick to believe the lie that God is angry with us and will not bless our lives or meet our needs. The truth is that God is willing and waiting to pour out His favor and blessings on a life of faith. Hebrews tells us that faith always honors God and God always honors faith.
Without faith, no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is real and that He rewards those who truly want to find Him (Hebrews 11:6, NCV).
~Mary
Mary Southerland is an author, international speaker, Founder of Journey Ministry, and Co-founder of Girlfriends in God. Her books include Hope in the Midst of Depression, Sandpaper People, Escaping the Stress Trap, Experiencing God’s Power in Your Ministry, Trusting God and Knowing God by Name.
Mary’s heart passion is to help women discover and live out their God-shaped identity and purpose in life. Connect with her on her website, Facebook, and Twitter!
