Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Psalms‬ ‭36‬:‭5


What we believe about God and how we live in the presence of God can be two dramatically different things. The old pictures of an angel and a demon sitting on your shoulder whispering in your ear is much more than an artists creativity. Often times, it’s a fact of life. As followers of Jesus we know the promises he gave us.

‘In this world you will have trouble but I’ve overcome the world.’

‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’

‘My peace I give you, not the fickle peace of the world, but a peace you can’t understand.’

‘I will fight the enemies of your soul.’

‘Even in the dark times you can count on my love.’

These are just a few of the many, many promises we base our faith on. But if you are like me, there is a dichotomy between faith and reality. What we know in ‘theory’ doesn’t always transfer to what we feel in our hearts. Fear, worry, confusion, hurt, discouragement can attack in an instant, and often its source is places and situations we’d never expect to happen.

For me, I find three things that can help going from faith to reality. First of all, retreat. Step back to evaluate the situation. I like to get to a quiet place where I can just be with my thoughts for a time.

Secondly, regroup. My retreat time varies by situation, but is temporary and with purpose. Once I’ve had some time to refocus, I regroup. Regrouping often leads me to God’s word and he promises, sometimes it includes close friends who share my faith.

Thirdly, resume. Don’t allow the attacks of your faith keep you from moving forward. It’s the process, not the winning that gives us strength. Our strength doesn’t rest in our activities and our acceptance. Our strength comes from the Holy Spirit that indwells us.

Retreat (temporarily); regroup (with God’s word); Resume (with God’s power). God’s love is far greater than anything we can gain from the world.