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The Best

 


But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6)

“We fear bad things, but we doubt good things.” (C.E. White, Trusting God When You’re Struggling, p. 24)

I’m not sure that C.E. White is accurate in her description, but as I read what she had to say about doubt this morning, I highlighted this quote. I like the sense of clarity it provides if it’s true. What it also tells me is that more than fear, doubt is the opposite of hope. Fear is definitely a sibling of doubt. Maybe doubt is the caterpillar and fear the butterfly.

As I consider fear and doubt, it seems to me that I am a doubter. I struggle with job hunting because I’m convinced that no one would hire me for the sort of job I want to do. I tend to think that God can’t trust me with blessings because I’ll misuse or ruin them.

Another story of my life comes to mind. I refused to wear a cross or put a “fish” on my vehicle because if anyone saw me driving even 1 mph over the speed limit for even a minute, I would dishonor God. One day, God asked me if I thought Him so weak that He couldn’t survive the humiliation I might bring Him. After that, He told me to find a cross and wear it.

I find myself wondering whether this doubt is the same idea. If I doubt, and therefore don’t seek, both He and I are protected from the embarrassment of my trusting Him for something He can’t trust me with. Just like the cross necklace, I need to take the chance on that embarrassment. So, the question is, “What is the best that can happen?

1)    I could find a job that I love. 2) I could get Soul Fire back and find no new  errors. 3) I could revise 7 scenes of Word Fire. 4) Earth Fire could make it to the shelves of 5 libraries and be read. 5) Someone's life might be changed by something I wrote. 6) My garden could grow. 7) Eta might do no damage to Florida. 8) The place where I live could remain COVID-19 free. 9) I could lose 2-3 pounds. 10) I could exercise every day and feel stronger.

What’s the best that could happen in your life?

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