How My Word for 2018 Will Help Me With My Wavering Faith
Inside: What am I teaching those around me if I’m unstable, unsure and have a wavering faith? How do this point to a sovereign God who has me?
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I’m indecisive; I said it. My husband gets annoyed with me when we’re going to go out to eat because I can’t make up my mind. My brain analyzes and thinks of the restaurants, what they have, and then considers other restaurants. Soon, I. just. can’t. make. up. my. mind.
Any bigger decision is met with this same wavering back and forth. I wish I could be firm in choosing what I wanted, what I thought God was calling me to, and where I thought He was leading me; however, I still teeter-totter with every choice.
Maybe it’s my anxiety getting the best of me. I tend to analyze the “what if’s” of any decisions, which ultimately paralyzes me into making no decision.
A few weeks ago, I was reading the Bible, and the word “steadfast” jumped off the page at me. Right there in that moment, I felt God nudging me. I knew this was my word for 2018.
This word and I are like polar opposites. I’m everything that this word is not. However, I know this is what God wants me to work on in this New Year.
What Does Steadfast Mean?
To be steadfast is to be faithfully, resolutely, or dutifully firm and unwavering (Merriam-Webster).
I immediately think of the word “steadfast” in regards to my faith, but it covers so many areas of life.
Being faithful affects my relationships and roles as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. If I’m unstable and topsy-turvy, I’m not dependable and solid.
Youch!
What am I teaching those around me if I’m unstable and unsure?
My unsteadiness in faith doesn’t point to a sovereign God who has me in the palm of His hand. #faith #solidfaith #overcomer Share on X(Hebrews 10:23, NLT).
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
What Does Steadfastness Look Like in Our Lives?
As a Christian, God desires us to be steadfast.
- We spend time in God’s word– enough time to get not only “head” knowledge, but “heart” knowledge also. The application is the key.
- We know the Word, so we can defend our faith against false teaching.
- When doubters approach us, we actively engage in testifying about our Lord and His truth.
- Through the study of His word and life experiences with Him, we become confident in our faith.
Wavering Faith
Here’s the problem with my indecisiveness: I’ve been fearful of making the wrong choices, confused as to what God has called me to do, and frustrated when I waver and when life is harder than I think it should be.
You could say my issue is trusting God. Honestly, I don’t always believe He’s doing the best for me.
When hard times hit, I question if God is present, if I have enough faith to endure, and if He will help me.
No matter what happens, God’s got me. This is the basis of steadfastness.
Faithfulness in the Bible
Noah built the ark for 120 years, even though he lived in the desert, and it had never rained. Noah experienced persecution and grief but kept building because he trusted God.
Daniel was willing to pray to God even though he knew the lions’ den was a possibility. He didn’t have fear as he spent time with the lions because he knew God had him.
Job kept the faith when all of his earthly possessions were taken. Job was faithful because he knew God had a plan.
Jesus endured the pain and suffering of the cross because of the glory He’d bring His Father and to save us from our sins.
8 Ways to Stay Firm in Faith during Hard Seasons
- Spend daily time with God. Grow a relationship with him.
- Pray continually.
- Know God is willing to help when we ask.
- Understand our feelings aren’t true. God wants us to tell Him our feelings even when we’re mad at Him.
- Realize this difficulty is short-lived when compared to eternity.
- Embrace the growth that happens during trials.
- Seek Christian friends that pray and encourage you during these moments.
- Focus on the blessings you have and adopt a heart of gratitude. It can make the worst of times bearable.
My Prayer Journal: A 3 Month Guide To Prayer, Praise and Thanks: Modern Calligraphy and Lettering
The Weekly Prayer Project: A Challenge to Journal, Pray, Reflect, and Connect with GodMy Bible Study Journal: A Creative Christian Workbook: A Simple Guide To Journaling ScriptureMy Bible Study Journal: A Christian Bible Study Workbook: A Simple Guide To Journaling Scripture Using S.O.A.P Method (Bible Study Journal Christian Notebook Workbook Series) (Volume 8)Be Determined (Nehemiah): Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition (The BE Series Commentary)
Moving Forward Into 2018
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to approach 2018 with more confidence and steadfastness in all areas of my life. God has me in the palm of His hand. He has protected and carried many through the Bible. God can be trusted.
Keeping in contact with God is the key to overcoming indecisiveness and vacillating between decisions. Asking God to guide me through all of life, even through the small things, is something I need to do more.
I don’t need to fear failure or wrong choices if I’m walking with God. He is using it all to grow me.
3 You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
4 Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
I know that I struggle with these two – “We know the Word, so we can defend our faith against false teaching” and “When doubters approach us, we actively engage in testifying about our Lord and His truth.” Sometimes it’s not even that I don’t know the correct answer or way to refute the statement but I become anxious in the confrontation. I need to focus on this more. Thank you for the post!
Melissa- I think remembering God will supply us with the wisdom and words for these times is comforting too!
“Steadfast!” What a wonderful word for this year. I know that we have all probably been indecisive in some shape or fashion during our lives. I love your advice with number 2, to pray continually. Prayer is the key that unlocks the day and brings blessings through the night. Prayer is the greatest answer to every problem.
Keisha- I agree, prayer is under-used by most of us. What power we could experience if we prayed more often!
I have started taking risks in order to help me make decisions. For instance, choosing restaurants, I choose fast and then pick something I have never tried. Keeps me flexible. Sounds small but we are such comfort lovers when I comes to most things, aren’t we?
Alice- great wisdom for this indecisive girl! 🙂
One of the things I love about Jesus, is that even when we question our faith in Him, He remains faithful to us. I’m indecisive about choosing restaurants and meals, too. And there was a time that I questioned my faith. But it has passed, and God can help you steady your faith as well. It sounds like you are already on the right path. Your post is spot on.
Heather- thank you! I’m in the growing process! 🙂
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. (1 John 4:18)
God had led me to this Scripture recently, and I think it explains a lot of why we have difficulty trusting Him (especially me!). Our love needs to be perfected, so that we have no doubt, fear, or instability when it comes to His will for us. Thank you for sharing your word for 2018 with us, and for being courageous and brave enough to tackle it head-on! It inspires all of us to do the same:)
Jess- thank you for your wisdom, I appreciate it!
Thanks for sharing this, I am encouraged to know that I am not the only one struggling with indecisiveness.I am also taking my stand against it this year.
Sarah- so glad I’m in good company then! 🙂
This is such a powerful word! One of the most powerful actions of steadfastness was Jesus (you pointed out) on the cross. His suffering, his pain, his brokenness. Yet, he was steadfast in God’s plan. He stayed true to the will of the Lord! What a great way to remember how important being steadfast is. And, how convicting this example is when we waver. <3 Thanks for sharing Julie!
Indecisiveness can be so crippling sometimes and the bigger decisions just take up your whole headspace. As well as praying, I sometimes find that speaking to someone else out loud helps a little bit. However as long as none of our decisions lead us to compromise our faith then it’s all good 🙂
Vicky- Thank you for this suggestion! I usually take with my husband but sometimes I’ll still waver after talking through it with someone;)
This is one of my favorite posts of yours, Julie! I really needed to hear these words.
Stephanie- you’re too sweet! Thank you! I hope it inspired you!
Love this Julie! In December I was reading 1 and 2 Timothy and over and over again Paul encourages him to be steadfast. It’s such a good word for all believers and I love how you are applying it to all areas of life.
Kira- I believe that is where it jumped out at me in Timothy! I am anything but steadfast, so God is working on me this year!
My oldest son has always had a problem with not being decisive because he felt that decisions were more important than they actually were. A lot of times it doesn’t really matter what we choose. Any acceptable choice is fine.