How Faith Roots Grow Deeper As You Experience Life’s Challenges
Have you ever asked God to give you stronger faith . . . deeper roots?
It’s kind of like asking God for patience.
As a young mom, I used to ask God to give me more patience until I realized that He didn’t miraculously instill patience in us . . . He allows opportunities for us to practice patience. Eventually, I’d had so much practice . . . I learned to let go of the small things and pray for wisdom when it came to the big things.
And the truth is, patience isn’t the only thing that grows with practice…
No matter how much you and I may want super-spiritual magically growing wonder faith.
Faith roots grow deeper and stronger when we put them into practice in times of discomfort and desperation.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cried, pleaded, and thrown temper tantrums begging to change my situation . . . but look at the words of Jesus’ half-brother, James:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2–4
Wow, that’s hard! I don’t know about you, but I’m not naturally inclined to meet my trials with joy.
But what if I could? What if we can?
What if we faced every trial with faith roots that are so deep that we faithfully run straight to the Lord? Not to rescue us or remove the problem but to give us everything we need to endure, grow, and be complete in His love and peace and strength. What if we trusted His promise to give us everything we need?
Recently, I found myself struggling with an old childhood fear . . . the fear of being left alone.
Rather than letting the fear spin out of control, I ran to the Lord in prayer and heard Him whisper…
I will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
I am with you. (Matthew 28:20)
Seek me and I will give you everything you need. (Luke 12:31)
So today I’m asking, what’s your struggle?
Are you:
- trying to get over the sting of rejection?
- trying to wrap your brain around a frightening health prognosis?
- terrified that you won’t be able to pay the bills this month?
- worried about your child?
- exhausted from fighting emotional or physical pain?
- overwhelmed by depression or some other mental challenge?
- or _________________?
Whatever it is, let’s run to Jesus…
A Prayer to Grow Deeper and Stronger Faith Roots
Lord God, I often think . . . if only my faith were stronger, this wouldn’t be so hard. When life is easy, faith can seem rock solid and secure but when the days are hard, the enemy whispers “what if” and “are you sure.” On those days when I cry out, “Lord, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) Please deliver me from doubt and fear. Give me deeper and stronger faith roots.
Please fill me with Your Spirit as I SEEK to KNOW, TRUST, and LOVE You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Please give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk this path. Please hold me up with Your victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) Please give me what I need on this journey to keep walking forward even when I feel like giving up. Help me run to You when I am weary. Help me trust that You are able to give me the strength I need to soar once again.
You are my Lord and Savior. You are the everlasting I AM. The One to whom I pray. Amen.
Paul said it like this:
Let your [faith] roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7
So, the question is . . . how does that happen? How do we get deep-rooted faith?
- Surrender our lives and our daily circumstances to the Lord.
- Seek Him first – learn His truth, His promises, and His will.
- Watch for the ways the Holy Spirit is working in us and around us.
Then remember, that sometimes the faith we want, that we’re praying for, will grow the most when we go through trials and challenges.
So, pause before you throw that trouble-caused temper tantrum. Surrender the day to the Lord and let Him embrace you as you live through faith and grow stronger roots. Open your heart and mind to the Lord, He will reveal the truth behind His promises.
May God bless you and give you everything you need to live through faith today.
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Trials and tribulations are necessary for growing our faith, Deb. Not easy to accept, I know first hand, but God will be faithful with His help.
Blessings!
Amen, Martha! Not easy but God is faithful to be with us and give us what we need to trust and follow Him each day. Blessings!
This made me giggle since it reminded me of my first prayer when I accepted Christ…it was for more patience! I was quite displeased the next day since I wasnt miraculously more patient, haha. God is faithful????????
I think we’ve all been there, Veronica. He is faithful to work on us and in us. We want fast and easy but He wants us to have trust and peace that lasts. God bless you!
This prayer perfectly fits me. I accepted the trials as faith growers though despite of all testimonials, I don’t break out in a huge smile when everything is falling apart around me. Rather with tooth and nail grabbing Jesus’ robe to keep and carry me through it.
For me the biggest faith trial when I pray for a long time for a loved one’s healing and while I believe (want to believe) that the Lord hears me, comes the next health attack and nothing changed. These are the times that the devil have a field game with me. Doubting myself, my faith, if I truly believe in God’s existence…..he puts me through the ringer.
The worst is when I feel so deaf toward the Lord. I can’t discern if He’s talking to me through His Word, or I just happened to see it that fits my situation and telling myself it’s Him talking….
Hi Gaby. Your words made me think of Paul’s ‘thorn in the flesh.” It is so hard to struggle and wait through ongoing illness and pain. Some days the distractions make it harder to trust God’s all-sufficient grace. It’s at those moments when I have to sit down and remember all the ways God has kept in promises in the past, all the things He has seen me through, and all the times He’s given me what I needed to get through the day. I’m praying for you and asking God to be with you and give you everything you need each day. Blessings and hugs!
I’m grateful for the encouragement Deb. Lot’s of blessings to you.
I’m grateful for the encouragement Deb. Lot’s of blessings to you.