What is unshakeable faith?
“To the Pure and Shining One By David, for the one who praises.”
“I stand silently to listen for the one I love, waiting as long as it takes for the Lord to rescue me; God alone…He alone is my safe space; there is no risk of failure with God.” — Psalms 62: 1–2 (TPT)
Unshakeable faith in God is the knowledge of who He is coupled with action to demonstrate complete trust in Him (faith).
What is in God’s character that makes Him trustworthy? He is:
- “The Pure and Shining One”
- “the one I love”
- “God alone”
- “my Savior”
- “my safe space”
- “my champion defender”
- a “wrap around presence”
- “my life-giving strength”
Faith actions I can choose to show I trust in God:
- stand silently = working towards absolute stillness in the Lord (not worrying aloud or crowding my space with distractions)
- listen to Him (hearing God is not as hard as we tend to make it, yet does require the groundwork of seeking to know God in a personal relationship)
- stop allowing fear or worry paralyze me (courage is not the absence of these things but the choice to keep moving anyway)
- trust only in God
- tell Him all my troubles
- pour out my heart desires to Him
- let God help me (by His strength all things are possible, not mine)
What are God’s promises based on His character? when He asks us to do these things? According to Psalm 62:
- God will “rescue me”
- “He will not fail me”
- He will “always protect me”
- God’s “glory is all around me”
- Jesus “will help me”
- He will listen and here me
Testimony: I wrote this after a rather unproductive day of mindlessly online shopping to try and create a “new look, new me” via labor day sales, but also being low-key anxious and mean to myself about my spending habits.
The latter list was everything I needed to end the day exactly where I always want to be: in peace with the One I love. Instead of obsessing about how to make this elusive version of me, I rested and admired the God who already created the perfect version of me. He has a plan, and He will not fail. Amen.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, my love ❤.
As we move into this week, I pray the peace and love of God through my savior and advocate, Christ Jesus, and His blood upon you.
Weekly Suggestions:
- Personal time with Jesus
- Read Psalm 62 and let it bless you. Read it at the beginning of the day!
2a. Shopping/ Labor Day Sales
- Check return policies and mark the send-back-by date on your calendar. Set a reminder alert at least a day in advance.
- Keep the pieces that you can afford +make sense (i.e. make a complete outfit, fit your lifestyle, go with multiple items in your closet, are great quality finds that will last, etc.)
- Return everything else. Don’t get stuck with clothes you can’t fit, don’t like, or really can’t afford. It is normal to make a compulsive decision in this ad-crazy world, but we need to take advantage of grace and do our part if we need to rethink and reverse that decision — a blessing that is not always available!
2b. Financial Wellness (Stewardship)
- If you’re like me and haven’t already, make a budget for September!
What helps me:
- tithing as soon as I get paid (do not steal from God.)
- researching “pay period budgeting” for resources and free budget excel sheet templates
- using a free app for zero-based budgeting and expense tracking (Be mindful: this can be a lot if just starting, or if you’re not used to being consistent with your finances. Be prepared to keep at it.)
- consuming financial wellness content to increase your motivation
- prioritizing a list with bills and upcoming responsibilities (i.e. gas for work, new tires, a Southwest round trip ticket) that you need to have money ready for
- going through my spending history from the last and current month if it already started (ideally you should have a budget in place before your start spending, but it’s better to start late than go the whole month winging it)
This is definitely a lot but knowledge is power. Understanding your financial position will make you mindful of the changes you need to make so you’re not surprised or stressed out (which will free up your mind and heart to be still in front of God).
“ Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth.” Psalms 46:10 (TPT)
Love and grace,
MJ
