I remember a time when my husband Kenya and I were working toward a goal. There was something we really wanted to see happen. We boldly went to God’s throne and asked for help. We needed this to come through. Receiving a yes would have blessed us in a big way. He and I prayed, prepared and pursued. But in the end, the answer we got back was no.

That was a tough and bitter pill to swallow, made worse by the fact that it was the second major no we’d received in the span of a few weeks. What was going on? Why were doors closing and opportunities to help fuel what we viewed as our divine purpose drying up?

We didn’t understand it, that’s for sure.

Yet, in the midst of receiving those no’s, we were willing to wait on God and trust His will, as well as His timing. As I always say, God knows the end from the beginning and His way is always right, even when it greatly differs from our preferred path.

In that season, both of us made a conscious decision and verbalized our decision to refuse worry and choose faith.

God had proven Himself to us too many times in the past to doubt just because we were uncertain of the course we should take. Though we didn’t know back then what the future held, we were clear on one thing: as long as we kept our eyes on Who held the future, we would be alright. We knew the Lord was holding our hand, directing our path and making a way where there didn’t seem to be one.

In the end, by His grace, God worked some stuff out and brought things together the way only He can. He didn’t fail us then. He never has and never will.

He won’t fail you either. However, as you wait for God to move, the enemy will challenge your faith. So you have to actively banish negative thoughts. Put all faith-killing ideas and notions out of your mind the way Jesus put non-believing folks out when He got ready to work a miracle.

Mark 9:18-23 contains two of my favorite biblical accounts. One shows Jesus healing the woman with the issue of blood and the other—which is the one I’m zoning in on today—tells us about Him raising up a dead girl.

Remember when Jesus came into the house of Jairus and everyone was mourning? As far as they were concerned, the 12-year-old daughter of this ruler was deceased.  

In verse 24, Jesus told them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.”

Of course that seemed like a crazy, absolutely ludicrous statement. Unsurprisingly, the people ridiculed and laughed at Jesus. They had no faith in Him whatsoever. So you know what Jesus did? According to verse 25, He put them all out of the house. He didn’t want a room full of spectators and doubters in the way of His work.

Then, once the crowd had been kicked out, Jesus went in, took the adolescent girl by the hand, and she arose. Afterward, the news of what He did reached the masses.

If Jesus had to rid His atmosphere of disbelief, so do we. Amen?

Friend, the Lord wants to do a mighty work in your life. But if you want to see His hand move in your favor, tell doubt, you’ve got to go! Tell fear, you have no place here. Kick worry to the curb and embrace faith. Clear out your space mentally, spiritually and physically of any people or things that hinder your faith. Take control of your thought life. Make a firm commitment not to worry. No matter what comes your way, choose faith.

You will be given opportunities and reasons to worry. But decline them. Don't let anything get in the way of the move of God.

If you’re feeling weak and sense that your faith is faltering in this storm, God sent this word to help you stand firmly on His promises once more. To help you rise to the challenge, I’m stirring a powerful prayer into your cup of inspiration.

It’s found in Romans 15:13 NLT and it says, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, God is strengthening your faith in His promises, providence and provision. He is comforting your weary heart, mind and soul, and reminding you of His faithfulness to do the impossible in the right atmosphere of faith.

Believe only.

As you do, God is loosing the chains of oppression brought on by doubt and worry. He is setting you free by His power and releasing blessings, and favor!

Now let’s pray.

Father, I’m going through some situations that are testing my faith. Worry, doubt and fear are knocking at my door, but I will not let them in. I have decided to trust You, oh Lord, come what may. I don’t know how or when You will fix this, but I believe You will and so I praise You for it in advance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!