I never would have predicted that this morning as I read further into the Gospels that I would stumble upon a moment in Jesus' time on earth that bothers me.

I've read it many times.

Actually, I remember writing about this very passage several years ago when we were praying for Nick's healing.

I remember telling God over and over again that I believed He could move a mountain.

I had enough faith to believe without a doubt, even to the very last day of Nick's life, that God could heal him of his cancer.

So, this morning as I read the passage where Jesus caused the fig tree to wither and then turned to the disciples and said,  "You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it,"

my heart sunk.........

again.

Questions ran through my mind just like the did in the months right after Nick's death.

Did I really have faith?

Did God hear our prayers?

Did I do something wrong?

Did I have unforgiveness in my heart toward anyone?

Was there a sin in my life that was blocking my prayers?

And on and on and on and on.........

It would be easy to throw in the towel sometimes and just say, "This religion stuff doesn't make sense."

But there are several reasons why I never will.

First, throwing in the towel wouldn't bring Nick back.  It would actually put me in a place of no hope, no future, no promise of seeing him again.

Second, even Jesus prayed for his "cup to be removed" when the cross became a very-near reality.  Jesus prayed in faith and did not get the answer He longed for, even as He prayed with sweat drops of blood.

Third, Paul prayed for a thorn to be removed from his flesh, and the answer he received was "my grace is sufficient for you."  I know Paul had great faith, and yet his prayer was not answered in the way he wanted.

Fourth, I prayed for Nick's complete healing.  In reality, that is exactly what he received.  Earthly healing is temporary.  Pain and death still await all who are healed while they are on this planet.  Even the people Jesus healed eventually passed away.  So, if I think clearly and logically, my prayer was answered completely.

Today, if you stumble upon hard teachings, don't throw in the towel.

Remember, there is a bigger picture than today.

Trust God anyway.

Praying your Wednesday is a great one!