Unleash the Power of Prayer in Your Life Archives - Seeking God with Jaime Wiebel

Finding a Stronger Faith May Hurt for a Season

Jaime Wiebel — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:00:52 +0000

Finding a stronger faith through hardship is something that my guest Author Horace Williams, Jr knows so well. I am really excited to share his new book, Furnace of Affliction: How God Uses Our Pain and Suffering for His Purpose. Horace writes to encourage, inspire, and challenge you to a deeper more genuine faith.

You can get a brand-new copy of his just-released book here.

You can read more about Horace’s amazing testimony here, where he also shares about his award-winning first book, Unleash the Power of Prayer in Your Life.

Finding a Stronger Faith May Hurt for a Season

Have you ever been searching for something and you could not find it? You thought you knew where it was, but you could not locate it no matter how hard you searched. This usually occurs when you are in a hurry or when you need to leave for somewhere. Am I right?

I placed a little tack on the wall to hang my keys and door fob on, so they are always there when I’m heading out the door. When I return home, I do not walk past the kitchen without hanging them back up. Last month we laid my father to rest. He had battled Alzheimer’s for years, and we have peace knowing that he is in heaven now with the Savior with a renewed body and mind.

I often check on my mother as I know she is adjusting to life without her love of fifty-four years. Most times, when we speak, she is sorting through and reorganizing things. It is incredible the items she is rediscovering. On the way to the doctor recently, she showed me a cameo ring with a professional photo we had taken over thirty years ago.

I joked with her that she better not have an estate sale because the things she is finding are not junk but keepsakes. These things help her feel closer to dad as she remembers everything they have been through in a lifetime.

Search for Stronger Faith?

You know, faith is one of my most favorite things to write, read, and talk about. Faith is the cornerstone of Christianity. Without faith in Jesus Christ, what are we left with? A very unpleasant eternity, for sure. However, God has endowed each one of us who belong to Him on earth for a reason, and we are going to need much more than saving faith to navigate our journey each day.

So, how can we find that more profound level of faith to live as victorious Christians? I have to tell you that our faith develops through trials. Spending time with God in prayer and reading his Word are excellent ways to grow closer to Him, learn about who He desires us to be, and fill our reservoir with a bounty of scripture.

However, in the crucible of painful and difficult trials, our faith is being strengthened. #FurnaceofAffliction @Pleasing2Potter
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From Noah to Joseph, then Moses, and even King David in the Old Testament. Their faith grew stronger through trying and difficult times. God had Noah build an ark the size of nearly two football fields and over four stories high. And there is no record of it having even rained on the earth yet!

Growing in Him

Young Joseph was hated and despised by his brothers. They threw him into a pit and then sold him into slavery. He was accused of rape by his slave owner’s wife and then thrown into prison. Sometimes that stronger faith we seek finds us through the unexpected trials and painful experiences we encounter. However, look at what it says in Genesis about God’s role during Joseph’s unforeseen and difficult circumstances.

But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. Genesis 39:21.

God was right there with Joseph. Refining and preparing him for the role He had in store for his life. He may have been a tad naive as a teenager and a little prideful with his coat of many colors and the dreams he had about his family members bowing down to him.

God needed to strip away some of those things for Joseph to become the vessel integral in sustaining Israel’s nation during a famine. Spiritual maturity is taking place as God strengthens and develops our faith during painful and unexpected trials. Is there anything that God has been convicting you that needs to be stripped away in your life?

Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner. Proverbs 25:4. (ASV)

God’s Love for You

Renowned Bible teacher and pastor, Dr. Charles F. Stanley states in his book, The Blessings of Brokenness: Why God Allows Us to Go Through Hard Times, “God moves in our lives because He loves us too much to see us continue in our sin, remain in a lukewarm spiritual state, or go unfulfilled in His purpose for our lives.”

God’s love for us is unconditional, indescribable, and everlasting. However, sometimes the tests involved in giving us a more substantial faith can be unbearable and excruciating. A critical factor in this process is how we respond to the trials. So, we must be prepared in our search to grow in Christ, knowing that there will be difficulties. David spent thirteen years after being anointed the next king hiding and running from King Saul, who wanted him dead!

It takes time for one’s faith to develop. So don’t panic if things seem to move slowly. God lovingly strips away the impurities in our lives. He carefully adds a dash or two of resolve, a pinch of tenacity, and maybe some fresh sprigs of fearlessness. He is molding and reshaping in preparing us for service.

God’s Not Finished

…And let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith… Hebrews 12:2.

I want you to remember these seven things amid your painful trials and testing as you desire a more robust faith.

God uses trials to strengthen your faith. (Everything passes through His hands.)

Getting stronger faith is necessary for maturing as a Christian.

God is with you during the stormy seasons in life.

God’s love for you will give your comfort in your pain.

Gods’ purpose will be revealed when you seek Him.

God will bring you through the fiery trials.

God wants you to choose joy, knowing He is preparing you.

Finally, I leave you with this. Growing pains are never easy to handle or understand. Growing spiritually is necessary to be an effective ambassador for Christ. God has chosen you. You are unique to Him and have been selected to serve in your unique way. (Ephesians 2:10) So embrace the prospect of a stronger faith. Seek God with all your heart, and you will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13) And remember, without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6.)

Walking in Faith,

Horace Williams Jr.

You can also find even more encouragement from Horace on his social media sites – Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

You can order The Furnace of Affliction: How God Uses Our Pain and Suffering for His Purposes on Amazon.

Finding a Stronger Faith May Hurt for a Season

The post Finding a Stronger Faith May Hurt for a Season appeared first on Seeking God with Jaime Wiebel.

The Awesome Power of God Revealed through Prayers of Hope by Horace Williams Jr.

Jaime Wiebel — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 05:19:00 +0000

PRAYER. It’s a word that stirs up all types of emotions. Some are fearful when called on to pray. There are those who feel they are not very good at praying. Gathering together as a family for devotions and prayer was a regular occurrence in my home when I was growing up. As a teenager, I would get upset when it was time for family prayer.

Either my mother or father would call out, “time for devotions,” around eight p.m. most nights. I would immediately roll my eyes so far back in my head that I was surprised I could still see. Then I’d head toward the room at less-than-a-snail’s pace. My shoulders were slumped, and my lip was out. I wanted my parents to know I was not happy with this prayer time thing. They were interrupting my entertainment or a phone call with my girlfriend. I mean, really? Did we really have to pray every night?

I’m thankful for God’s grace and that my parents put up with my foolishness as I mumbled out the shortest prayers I could think of back then. Over the years, they continued to pray for me with unfailing hope as they witnessed my continued resistance to totally committing my life to God. I mean, I had asked Jesus into my heart at five years old. What else was there?

Fast forward thirty years. I had become a successful sales and marketing consultant who was managing my own marketing team. I was earning a six-figure salary and had won numerous awards as a top producer for the company I worked for. I drove my dream car with a vanity license plate, and I lived down the street from the Dallas Cowboys facility. I would even say a quick prayer on the way to work each morning. Life was good. No; better than good. Life was great! Then on July 1, 2010, everything changed.

I was wheeled out of my office on a gurney. I had no idea what was happening. I had trouble speaking, and my words were slurred. I knew something was wrong as I was raced to the hospital in the ambulance. In the emergency room, there was chaos mixed with expert precision. I tried to scream that I was claustrophobic as they attempted to do a CT scan of my head. I woke up in a hospital room a few days later.

I could not sit up, and my right leg was fastened to the bed to prevent any more blood clotting. I wondered where I was, and my injured brain played tricks on me. I cried out for help. A nurse came to the door and said, “You’re awake, I’ll get the doctor.” The doctor stepped into the room and informed me I had suffered a massive stroke, which had paralyzed my entire left side. I could not believe it. I was stunned, devastated. I lay there crying, wondering how this happened to me?

It was a lonely feeling as I lay in ICU. I was haunted by the constant beeping of machines that were monitoring me. When family members visited, they would ask me questions. I couldn’t remember anything. They tried to encourage me but the sadness and concern in their faces was evident. At night, my mind was all over the place; I had dreams ranging from horrific nightmares of the ICU nurse trying to kill me to dreams of relaxing on the beach with the ER nurse. (She looked at me like I was crazy when I told her I remembered her from the beach.)

During all the confusion, I knew one thing for sure. I knew I could pray. I’m thankful God heard my words through all my whimpering as I lay completely still every night. At first, I asked Him if this was really happening and why. When I opened my eyes, the tiles on the ceiling reminded me of my reality.

For if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:3-5).[1]

I was not sure if I was praying to God “correctly,” but I was praying with purpose. I found comfort as I tried to recite Psalm 23 in my head. During those moments of prayer, God revealed to me everything good in my life had come from Him. I knew He was hurt by my foolish pride and sinful behavior. My prayers began to change. I repented and asked God for forgiveness for the sins I had committed. I thanked Him for sparing my life and saving my soul.

I asked Him that He heal my body and allow me to walk again if it was His will. I still had every intention of returning to my successful sales and marketing career, but God had better plans for my life…hallelujah!

The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9).

God spared my brain from permanent damage, allowing me to read and study His word. He continues to lead me to share my story of transformation as evidence of His AWESOME power. There is power in prayer.

I share my story with you today in hopes of driving this point home: prayer is personal. “Purposeful Prayer is having intimate conversations with almighty God.” (Click to Tweet) God desires to hear from you. You are His child. He loves you, and He wants to know that you love Him.

You may not be lying in a hospital bed as you read this, but God desperately wants to commune with you. Seek Him with purpose. Thank Him for all He has done. Share what is on your heart right now. Nothing is too small or unimportant to talk about with God. He will grant you the wisdom you desire, the strength you need, and the courage to accomplish His will for your life.

You can read more of Horace William’s work at Pleasing to the Potter. While you are there you can connect with him on his social media sites.

Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

Horace Williams Jr. is a stroke survivor and born-again Christian who loves Jesus Christ. He has seen the power of prayer and God’s healing in his own life as he continues to recover from a massive stroke that paralyzed his left side more than six years ago. He wants to inspire, encourage, and remind Christians of the power available to them through prayer. You can get a copy of his new book, Unleash the Power of Prayer in Your Life, by clicking here.

[1] (NASB)BibleGateway.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2016.

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The post The Awesome Power of God Revealed through Prayers of Hope by Horace Williams Jr. appeared first on Seeking God with Jaime Wiebel.