FLIRTING WITH FAITH. 028

Courage, fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God’s power to save do not come in a moment. These heavenly graces are acquired by the experience of years. FLB 120.3

Solemn.

Courage does not come in a moment; it takes years to acquire. Start to –exercise courage now.

Faith does not come in a moment; it takes years, the experience of years, to acquire, start to exercise and get experience now.

Naturally we think we have faith, but when we are tried and tested do we show that faith comes naturally? What happens when we feel forsaken of God, let down, maybe even betrayed? I know that in those moments I have had to wrestle with God and be honest about my thoughts and feelings with Him. Faith did not come naturally, it was won through fighting. Faith comes through fighting not flirting. Sometimes after fights we progress but little in the development of faith, but its progression nonetheless.

Faith is not natural to the carnal person, is it?

I think not. The many different situations of life happen to me and many times I recognize just how prone to doubting I really am. There may be a little flirtatious fling that I have with faith, but the actual deep and implicit trust in God is lacking. I find myself having to coach myself to believe and be faithful to the things I preach. If I preach them, why is it not easy to live them?

It just doesn’t work like that. That’s why.

Faith takes exercise, and with exercise, it grows. The more we exercise the more we grow.

Faith takes fight, and with fighting it grows. The more we fight, the more it grows.

Christianity is a religion of progress. 5T 71.1

If we start now, we may progress.

When is the best time to start developing courage? In situations where you feel discouraged.

When is the best time to start developing faith? In situations where I am doubting.

When is the best time to fight? When you have run out of strength.

Fight or flight.

I can only learn in the the very situations I naturally want to run from, but if I complain those situations away, or avoid them, then I miss vital opportunities to develop something that may take --years to ripen, years.

Start now.

Fight now.

Help us Lord.

Please.

IJN, amen

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