Fortitude and Faith
Faith is a fight to cling to God’s promises.
By: Clint Fisher, upper elementary principal
Like many of you, I experienced a very different Christmas break … my whole family had COVID-19. Having contracted the virus, we began to move from isolation to care and eventually to celebration. Our journey revealed things about myself and my faith that I would like to share with you.
OUR STORY
Within a week, we had all contracted the virus and were experiencing symptoms … fatigue, fever, and loss of taste. As we began to work on what we thought was our recovery, God, in His sovereign plan, wanted us to take a different path.
One of our children began to experience raspiness when exhaling, even though they had no history of asthma. Our pediatrician started treatment but did not see enough improvement. We were sent to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for a more robust treatment, which, thankfully, was very effective.
The next day, a different child experienced worsening symptoms. The doctor advised that we take this child to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for evaluation along with the first child whose breathing issues had started to return. I remember thinking that at least we were getting an earlier start and should be back home before too long … but, long story short, one child stayed overnight for observation and the other child was in the hospital for two nights.
After things calmed down, I had time to reflect on what God had done in my circumstances and in my heart during this season …
REFLECTION
First, I was awed by the level of professional care that we received. At one point, there were four different doctors providing care, making sure that our children were on a strong path to recovery.
I was equally overwhelmed by the love of the body of Christ, as so many people were praying for us and caring for our family’s practical needs. My family was covered with love in profound and practical ways. I have learned how to better love others by the example I was shown. Thank every one of you!
Secondly, I was shown a view of my faith that was life-changing. I saw how hard it is to live out of faith in God’s promises … promises that I will have the endurance to continue when I want to give up … promises that He will care for me so that I do not need to exercise extreme caution, control, and worry. Yes, we respect that the virus is real like we respect a lion. Yet, I do not fear a lion attack in my neighborhood because Truth reminds me where the lion lives. Truth helps equip us to fight the fight of faith.
THE “THREE P’s”
Romans 14:23 tells us that, “whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” It does not tell us to label things as faith or justify them as faith but rather to let every action proceed from faith. Faith is when I take my life, my circumstances, COVID-19, politics, social injustice, economic instability, or any situation, and I fight my natural inclinations with the promises, perspectives, and proclamations from God’s Word.
These “three p’s” provide the seeds of faith that can move mountains. They allow me to say to the mountain of carelessness, “love others not yourself,” to say to the mountain of worry, “He cares for me,” and to say to the mountain of selfishness, “be thrown into the sea.” These “three p’s” allow me to then look and gaze into the unhindered, loving, glorious, reflection of God as He works everything around me for my good. They allow me to see a loving and merciful God amidst the trial. They allow me to celebrate and rejoice during the storm.
Choose Fortitude and FAITH
Faith is not an expression of personality. Faith is not natural. Faith is a fight to cling to God’s promises. Yes, COVID-19 is real. Social injustice occurs every day. Finances, society, relationships, politics, or our dreams may not be what we want. Yet, God’s Word and His promises stand like unmovable mountains amidst crashing waves.
I ask that you join me in taking every thought captive and submitting it to the Word of God.
Live by faith because you have scattered the seeds of His Word on your heart every single day. Live out of joy because God has caused great faith to grow into a mighty oak that provides rest to everyone … even to you.
Live out a radical life because the salt of Christ and His Word has made you salty, full of flavor, and the world around you cannot get enough. Go to God’s Word and then go to people so that they may taste and see that God is good.
God shows up in our messy places and transforms ordinary moments into holy ones.