Unshakable Faith

Unshakable Faith.....

What comes to mind when you think of the words: unshakable faith?

I wrestled with these two words, when used together, for a time. What does it mean to have unshakable faith?

My closest friends can tell you that I often over analyze words, or even over think too much, or even try to figure things out too much. (God love them for letting God use them to make me self-aware of this!) Tis' the life of an editor I suppose, to dissect and arrange words in a sentence for them to say exactly what my thoughts are, to convey and capture all that is on my mind and heart. I'm not sure this is always possible, but the native language I have to use is English, thus I give it my best shot!

After I had graduated college, I was captivated by having a relationship with Jesus. I wanted my faith to be strong, unshakable. I wanted to know just what is unshakable faith and how do I get it.

When we look at the word - unshakable, according to http://www.dictionary.com/, we find:

un·shak·a·ble - adj.
Incapable of being shaken: unshakable faith.

Synonyms for "unshakable" are: firm, secure, solid, stable, strong, sturdy, substantial, sure, adamant, abiding, fixed. Wow, how dependable is unshakable faith! Do you have unshakable faith?

I began to wonder, how does one get unshakable faith? And how can they tell their faith is unshakable?

At that time in my life, I thought for sure I had God as my number one priority. But then the Lord revealed something to me.....though I thought without a doubt that I had God has my number one priority, my faith life was on life support. I mean, I was avoiding the "major sins" as I wasn't promiscuous at all, I wasn't doing drugs, I wasn't getting drunk all the time, I wasn't cussing, and I was trying to be nice to everyone - so in my view, that was unshakable faith. Wow, was I dead as a doornail - wrong! The more I drew closer to God, the more I realized just how far away from Him I had been.

Friends, at times we think we are right there, only to find we can't draw near to Him unless our WHOLE heart is involved. God calls us to be wholehearted in devoting our lives to Him - every area of our lives, including career, relationships, thoughts, prayer, family - all of it, devoted to Him:

"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; - 1 Chronicles 28:9, NIV

In one of the most trying times of my life, I happened to come across a story about unshakable faith. The character in the true life story had prayed for unshakable faith. A month later, he found himself smack in the middle of suffering through economic loss, illness of family members, and jobless. (disclaimer: this doesn't go to say that if you pray for unshakable faith, you are guaranteed to incur significant loss - ultimately, that is all up to God! He cannot be tamed by our prayers.) At the end of the story, the character had been walking down the street on a regular day and gave some money - of which he had very little - to a homeless man. In that moment, he recalled how he had prayed for unshakable faith. And God, being the faithful, amazing God who answers prayer that He is - had answered his prayer. Amazing. In the midst of brokenness, there is joy in a prayer answered! The answered prayer of unshakable faith. What a gift!

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. - 1 Peter 4:12-13, NIV

I noticed that as I started to pray for unshakable faith, God started doing some heavy work in my heart. He was changing my desires, so they would be replaced with His desires. I didn't just want to dabble in what looked like a faith life, I wanted the substance. Substantial, unshakable faith. I realized some major dramatic changes had to occur in my life to make this possible, and God - thankfully - placed me in some very broken situations. In that brokenness, I had no where else to go except to the loving arms of Jesus, close to Him and His love.

God started stripping my life of fear, emptiness, loneliness, unworthiness, undesirability, shame, and a whole slew of emotions. I wish I could even tell you that I have never dealt with these emotions ever again in my life, but that is not true. However, what is true - is now I have realized the power in the Holy Spirit and that has changed my life immensely. My Savior continues to change the way I live out my faith. I can be healed of all that junk if I just seek the Lord. Jesus is a healer, and emotions are no exception of that healing.

Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. - Matthew 5:18, NIV

Jesus, who is the Way and the Truth, can cancel any of Satan's lies. Just as you are growing in faith, the enemy will protest and try to hinder your growing faith. We are even warned of this in God's word:

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. - 1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV

Sweet friends, let us go forward asking for unshakable faith. Is there really any other kind to have? Why would you desire anything less than unshakable faith? To know, that no matter what adversity or trial you face, your faith cannot be moved. Jesus is there with you, carrying you, holding you, walking before you. I know you can have unshakable faith, ask Him for it. Be prepared for how He will answer you, and you can be assured how He will answer you will reveal His glory in His timing.

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:20, NIV

In the midst of your trials or suffering, if you are seeking Him, you are growing unshakable faith. Unshakable faith can move mountains, why would you want anything less? Don't let your faith be a box of checklists, let His love into every area of your life producing fruitful faith. Take heart, and know unshakable faith - while not easily cultivated - is a huge blessing. You can do this!

Please know that I am on my knees praying for you.

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Kay