The Strengthening of our Faith

Have you heard the quote by CS Lewis, "Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." 

Well, the other day my daughter asked me why when they ask me for something I tell them no and not to ask again, but God wants us to keep asking. I explained first that I am not as patient as God and secondly that God may not say no, but instead just waits for us to keep asking. He loves when we pursue and seek and keep on depending on Him. Then He answers. 

And then this morning in my study through Matthew I read chapter 15. This is where the Canaanite mom sought Jesus. Because she had a child who was mentally tormented, it made the whole family desperate. So she sought Jesus, begging Him to heal her daughter. What does Jesus do? HE IGNORES HER!! How crazy is that!? And then the disciples, annoyed at her, ask Jesus to send her away. (How often do we want the same thing when were sick of dealing with something... Just make it/them go away already) 

But then He makes a comment to push her a bit. Would she keep seeking Him? And then another wooing comment. She persists. She keeps pleading because what else is there? He alone has life. He is her only hope. Likely (as we see still today) the family's friends don't want to be around them as this kiddo has mental health problems and they likely have to deal with issue after issue, conflict after conflict. Likely she's heard this make her go away comment time and time again. This mama is exhausted, discouraged and wounded. And yet she's not going anywhere till Jesus comes to her desperate call for rescue. Her love for her kiddo drives her to Jesus where her faith can grow stronger.  

And He rescues. 

He not only answers her but ends with praising her faith. Jesus, God, Creator and Sustainer praises her faith. "Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want. And from that moment her daughter was cured." 15:28

The pain God allows has purpose and often that purpose is to strengthen our faith. But of course! How else will our faith get strong? Just like muscles, faith only grows when it's torn, when it's stretched to the point of breaking, so it can heal back stronger.

I see myself in this woman. What about you? What is your megaphone? How is God wanting you to trust and pursue Him more? Will you keep pursuing and seeking Him even when others want you to go away? Even when the pain is deep and it seems like even Jesus Himself isn't listening? I pray you do. There is great reward.

About Laura

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​Laura, the founder of Missional Women is married and has six kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries since 2002 and serve with Master Plan Ministries where she is Director of Women's Ministries. Laura has written 7 books and 2 ministry tools. You can see them all at the Missional Women Store and can find her on facebook, twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram, periscope, blab and her author site.

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