Life can bring us some difficult situations that can just about suck our faith dry.
When my mom died four years ago, my faith all but withered up and died too. You see, I depended on my mom’s spiritual wisdom and prayers more than I realized. When she went home to be with the Lord, not only was I experiencing extreme grief, but I began to question my own faith. Matters that I thought were settled seemed to resurface as my faith was tested.
Nine months after my mom died, my dad confessed he hadn’t been feeling well. A doctor visit confirmed that five of dad’s coronary arteries were blocked which meant open heart surgery. Only a few days after my dad was home from the hospital, my husband was hospitalized with pancreatitis!
I spent the night and most of the next day in the hospital with my husband. I left my husband in the doctor’s hands so that I could go back to my dad’s and continue my care of him. Later, my oldest son came to stay the night with my dad so that I could go home and get some much-needed rest.
Once at home and now ready for bed, the reality of what had transpired over the past few days set in. And so did fear.

Was I going to lose my mom, my dad, AND my husband within only a few months?

An unseen dark force tightened around my legs like a python, moving upward to my abdomen and finally to my throat. I was literally stifled with fear which abruptly turned to sheer panic. Next, my mind was annihilated with an onslaught of negative thoughts going sixty miles an hour. Then one thought—actually one word—became louder than everything else in my mind.
JESUS
All at once, it was as if my mother was in the room with me. I could even smell her! I looked around frantically. Of course, she wasn’t there; she was with the Lord. But I could still smell her. I sniffed my clothes thinking I had picked up her scent from staying at dads. No, I smelled awful. I hadn’t showered for two days since my husband went into the hospital.
I cannot tell you what exactly happened that night. What I do know is this: even though my faith had been rocked like never before, Jesus was there with me. I believe He used my mother’s scent to let me know that she was safe with Him and He would never leave me.
The next morning as I sat reflecting on my current trials, I was attacked in my mind once again. I cried out to God for help. My negative thoughts were causing me to feel I’d run out of faith yet again. Starting that morning and many more after that, the Lord helped pull me out of the pit of depression and strengthen my faith in an unusual way. It wasn’t with memorizing more scripture, going to church or prayer. Although those are great faith builders. Instead, He reminded me of a song my mom used to sing to me called ‘Count Your blessings.’

3 SURPRISING WAYS TO BOOST YOUR FAITH NOW

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

I suggest writing your blessings in a journal. You can use a spiral notebook, a composition book, or staple pages together. The important thing is to write them down.

When we write things down it does many things. First, it requires our full attention when we write. Second, it helps us see what we are really thinking and feeling. Third, it gives our thoughts more importance to write them down. Fourth, it serves as a reminder.

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord;   yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”
Psalm 77:11
COUNTER NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
Negative thoughts threaten and weaken our faith. We must take those thoughts captive the moment they come to mind. Ask God to make you aware of them quickly.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

Replace a negative with a positive.

When a faithless thought comes in, take it captive and replace it with a positive. If you can’t think of one, open up your blessing journal and reflect on what God has done.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

ACTS OF KINDNESS AND SERVICE

Helping someone else takes your mind off of yourself. Not only will you build the other person’s faith, but it will boost yours too!

“…Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
James 2:18
Remember God gives each of us the same measure of faith. It’s a gift from Him that we cannot earn or manufacture on our own (Ephesians 2:8-9). He does, however, expect for us to exercise those faith muscles!
HOW ARE YOUR EXERCISING YOUR FAITH?
For more on faith see: See: https://beckielindsey16.com/2016/04/12/help-i-need-more-faith/

Please feel free to share in the comments below!

This post is linked to Literacy Musing Mondays: http://www.foreverjoyful.net/?p=1037
Inspire Me Monday http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/04/inspire-me-monday-week-224.html