Jen’s Gem: Decide to live in faith today.
This week my daughter returned to college to begin her sophomore year. Seems like a minute ago that I rushed up to the campus to move her out because of the covids. Donning our masks, we unpacked two cars and trekked up three flights of stairs to the suite she will share with her friends for the next three months.
With news of colleges changing course and resuming an online-only format, I remain faithful that my daughter will stay on campus for the duration and enjoy as close to a college experience as possible.
I’ve been asked if I was afraid of my daughter going back to college. My response was and is “no.” When pushed for a further explanation of why I was not shaking in my boots, my answer was simple:
“You either have faith or you don’t.“
My daughter is taking all of the necessary precautions and following the guidelines of the school. As her mother, I have prayed for her protection and have faith that God will do as He promised. If I sway from that, then I really don’t have any faith, do I? I really don’t trust God, do I? If I walk around afraid 24/7, then I don’t believe that God will do all He says He will do and has done for me and my children.

You can’t have faith and be afraid at the same time. Faith and fear can’t live in the same home. One will take over and become the alpha male.
Having faith in something or someone we can’t see is tough. How do we know for sure that God will do what He says? Well, if you know God, you know He’s a Man of His Word. If you don’t know who God is and you don’t know who you are in His eyes, you can’t bank on His promises. Let’s consider an example.
A year or so ago, I was asked to babysit my great niece for a week because of a daycare dilemma. While the details were being worked out, my nephew asked his mother if I was committed to the task. Her response was, “If Jennifer said she would do it, then she will do it.”
My sister knew me well enough and trusted me to follow through on my promise. My nephew perhaps didn’t have that same knowledge and trust and so his faith in me wasn’t as secure. It’s the same with God. If you don’t know Him, then your faith and trust in Him might be a little shaky.

You might be asking, well, how do I know who God is? Easy. Just look at His Son, Jesus. If you know Jesus, then you know God. If you study Jesus’ life, then you know exactly who God is. Everything that Jesus did is what God would do. Everything that Jesus said, God would say.
“For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” (John 12:49 NKJV)
“What would Jesus do?” We’ve heard this phrase/question perhaps more times than we care to admit. However, the response is the perfect answer to whatever challenge or situation we may be facing. What would the Son of God tell us to do if people hurt us? The response is in Matthew 5:44:
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
What would Jesus say to do if we are a-scared of the covids or losing our job or whatever challenge we are facing?
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
You see, God has promised us many, many things. But He never promised us a rose garden during our time on earth.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)
What He did do was give us an instruction manual. What He did do was give us an example on how to live in this cray cray place. We can choose to read it or not. We can choose to follow the example or not. We can choose to live in faith or fear.
The world wants me to be a-scared that my daughter will get sick and come home in a minute. God wants me to have faith in Him that she will be fine. Just like you can’t be a little bit pregnant, you can’t be a little bit faithful.
You either have it or you don’t. Which will you choose?