My grandmother, Anna Lou a.k.a. Annie (Autumn & Annie’s namesake!), was an artisan skilled in creating cakes, crafts and ceramics. Every Christmas when I get out our decorations, I’m reminded of my sweet grandma. She made more than half of the Christmas decorations I put out each year. A mailbox used to display Christmas cards. Christmas ornaments. Music boxes. Candle bowls. The list could go on and on.
As I think about my grandma, I’m reminded of her common phrase, “...the good Lord willing.” In fact those are the last words I remember her saying. She always used that phrase to express a hope she had, yet with a wise acceptance and understanding that her plans could change if it wasn’t in God’s will. She had an “even if” faith - the kind of faith that said I trust in God’s will for my life even if it is different from my own plans.
The most classic reference to “even if” faith in the Bible is in Daniel when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, and the king threatened to throw the three friends into the fiery furnace. (Ouch!) Their response…
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But EVEN IF he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
Daniel 3:17-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had faith in God’s glory and power. They trusted in His ability and desire to save them. These three men were so committed to the Lord and His will, they proclaimed that EVEN IF God doesn’t save them, they still wouldn’t worship another god. What a powerful faith in our Lord!
I so strongly desire to have this “even if” faith. Not a faith that fluctuates based on my own circumstances, but a faith that is committed to God no matter what.
Even if He doesn’t…
- restore a relationship.
- heal a family member.
- provide a new job.
- rescue a victim.
Whatever my goal, situation or crisis might be, I want to be so firmly reliant upon our Father above that even if my plans fail, my situation isn’t ideal or my crisis worsens, I still cling to Christ.
In Margaret Feinberg’s Revelation study, she says in moments of struggle, you can either cling to the crisis or you can cling to Christ. But you don’t have arms big enough for both. I choose to cling to Christ. Won’t you pray with me?
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the many godly influences you’ve placed in my life throughout the years. I’m especially thankful for my grandmother who was an exceptional model of “even if” faith.
God, I pray that you would help to grow me in my faith. Let my first instinct be to cling to you instead of clinging to the crisis. Help me to remove the fearful “what ifs” from my thoughts and change them to “even if” rooted in faith.
I so desperately want to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks to You in all circumstances. Put these promptings prominently on my heart.
Lord, I ask that this ministry would encourage others in their faith and prayer life.
The good Lord willing.
Amen.
Hi, I’m Lisa, the founder of Autumn & Annie. If you’re new here, welcome to One Million Prayers! This is our blog where I share prayers, inspiration, scripture, and a little bit about myself. God has put a passion in my heart to share about the power of prayer with YOU!
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