Topic: Facing the Facts With Faith [RICK WARREN Devotional 21 September 2023]
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Facing the Facts With Faith
BY RICK WARREN — SEPTEMBER 21, 2023
FROM 50 DAYS OF FAITH
“Abraham was almost a hundred years old, much past the age for having children, and Sarah could not have children. Abraham thought about all this, but his faith in God did not become weak.”
Romans 4:19 (NCV)
Sometimes people mistakenly believe that faith means ignoring the facts. But nothing could be further from the truth!
Abraham understood this: “Abraham was almost a hundred years old, much past the age for having children, and Sarah could not have children. Abraham thought about all this, but his faith in God did not become weak” (Romans 4:19 CEV).
Abraham was 99 years old; his wife was 89. It was medically impossible for them to have children. He didn’t deny the facts. He faced them with faith.
Faith doesn’t ignore reality. It doesn’t pretend there isn’t a problem. Faith is facing the facts in your life without being discouraged by them.
Some people teach a Christianity that says believers should deny their problems and just smile their way through life. But that’s not the way of Jesus.
Faith will never ask you to deny reality. It’s not living in denial. It’s not clinging to the past. Faith is not stubborn foolishness.
You may need to do some legitimate grieving for a diagnosis you haven’t wanted to admit or a dream for your life that won’t ever happen.
But you don’t need to have a pity party. You need to tell God, “It didn’t turn out like I wanted, but I know you have a better plan for my life.”
That’s what faith looks like. God isn’t through with your life. God has good things in store for you! You can face the facts and choose not to be discouraged by them.
When she was young, author and Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom was engaged to be married. All of a sudden, the man broke up with her and married a friend. She was devastated. She never did marry and went through life as a single woman.
Corrie Ten Boom didn’t pull herself into a shell. She redirected her love. She became one of the most loving Christian leaders of the 20th century, influencing millions of people.
She only did that because she refused to deny the facts. She trusted God and loved others through her faith.
You can do the same.
Talk It Over
- What is the difference in grieving and having a pity party?
- Can you think of a time when you’ve had to acknowledge a difficult truth or reality? How did your faith help you navigate that situation?
- What are some ways you can help others face important facts with faith?
What will you do when Jesus returns?
The Bible says you can only get to heaven by trusting in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. You can’t earn your way into heaven: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, start by praying this prayer:
“Dear God, you have promised that if I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
Also Read: Open Heaven 21 September 2023 – STIR UP GOD’S GIFT
“I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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