The Madness of Unbelief

Every time – every time – I begin taking steps of obedience and faith, especially after a season of struggle, I am beset by trials. It often doesn’t seem fair to me. Here I am, just getting stabilized, feeling healed, sensing God’s presence and pleasure — then, WHAM!! a trial comes. Big trial, little trial, it doesn’t matter — it’s just there.

And my flesh (possibly driven by Satan) then begins its attack. “So why were you so concerned about pleasing God? Here you are, trying to do what is good and right in his eyes, and what he has promised you would bring blessing and a sense of peace and joy — and look what happens! See — you see — it’s true what they say…’no good deed goes unpunished.’ So, stop worrying so much about what may be pleasing to God — just take care of yourself. In the end, no one else will.”

Madness!! The madness of unbelief!!

Have you felt this way, too?

Thankfully, this madness doesn’t continue for long. It doesn’t continue because by God’s grace He has given me (and every true child of God) a new understanding of life and reality. He has given to me a knowledge of the truth that is based on objective, eternal reality, and not on subjective, temporary interpretation of circumstances. Here are some truths that I cling to and trust in when the madness of unbelief threatens me.

1. God is eternal; life is a vapor. Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 39:4 “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!”
2. God is ever watchful over his children, and will not leave them — ever. Psalm 121:2 “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber…” Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
3. This trial, however intense or slight, however long or short it may be is going to end, and is really nothing in light of eternity. 2 Cor. 4:17-18 “This slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
4. Finally, then, the comfort I receive from God in these circumstances is ultimately meant to be shared with others. 2 Cor. 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Implication

My prayer is that you would hold fast to these truths in the midst of whatever you may be experiencing right now. And when you receive comfort from God as you meditate on these things, share that comfort with others. Clinging to truth and sharing that truth with others is the remedy for the madness of unbelief.