All You Need is a Little

Hi Everyone! 

My husband challenged me this past week about my attitude.  I was really defensive at first, you know how that goes.  Yet, the more I reflected on what he said,  the more I realized he was right. 

I have caught myself this week thinking negatively and critically about my life’s circumstances, instead of focusing on what God can do and what I can do to make it better.  So in my husband’s words, I am living with a “defeat-est” attitude. 

What I feel God challenging me this week to remember is that all it takes is a little faith.  Often what I’ve worked up in my mind is not really what happens even 10% of the time.  And, if the worst case scenario comes true, what am I going to do about it? 

I am going to have faith in God. 

In Matthew 17:14-21, the disciples were faced with a situation they were not ready for.  There was a large crowd waiting for Jesus and a man came to him with his son.  He thought his son had a demon inflicting him, because he was suffering from seizures sometimes causing him to fall into the cooking fire or into the river.  “I brought him to your followers, but they weren’t able to heal him.” (v.16) 

I can only imagine what the disciples were feeling.  They were still growing in their faith and they were seeing Jesus perform miracles;  and now people were expecting them to do the same thing.  I’m sure they felt inadequate. 

Jesus healed the young man.  And, it says, “Later the disciples came to him privately and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we cast out the demon?’” (V.19) 

“He told them, ‘It was because of your lack of faith.  I promise you, if you have faith inside of you no bigger than the size of a small mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move away from here and go over there,’ and you will see it move!  There is nothing you couldn’t do!  But this kind of demon is cast out only through prayer and fasting.’”  Matthew 17:20-21 (The Passion Translation) 

He didn’t judge his disciples, but he used this “worst case” scenario that was overwhelming them, to teach them more about faith.  God is not asking for more than we are capable of;  he’s asking for faith as small as a mustard seed.  He’s not asking for powerful, perfect strong faith; instead all you need is a little. 

So, when I am confronted with overwhelming circumstances, I need to remember to have a little faith.  Instead of jumping to an attitude of defeat or the worst case scenarios,  I need to remember that all it takes is a little. 

Today, may you have faith no matter your circumstances and may God be with you this week in everything you do.  Remember, all you need is a little. 

Blessings! 

Andrea Vestby

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