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Faith!

Bringing things into the physical

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb.11:1 KJV

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb.11:1 NIV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Heb.11:1 RSV

And what is faith? Faith gives substance to our hopes, and makes us certain of realities we do not see. Heb.11:1 NEV

Now faith means that we have full confidence in the things we hope for, it means being certain of things we cannot see. Heb.11:1 PMEV

Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen. Heb.11:1 JBV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Heb.11:1 NASV

Now faith is the assurance of the things we hope for, the proof of the reality of the things we cannot see. Heb.11:1 WV

Faith is being sure of the things we hope for, being convinced of the things we can’t see. Heb.11:1 BV

Faith is the confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see. Heb.11:1 NAV

Faith is knowing that God hears the person who prays and that He will answer that prayer! This is not accomplished by the mind but by the heart! Many times we may know things or truths in the mind; but until we can get them into our spirit, where they can take root and grow into Faith, they lie dormant! Faith stands in spite of all those who say that it is unreasonable and silly and stupid to believe! It is unshakable, undeniable and even sometimes unreasonable!

This was true in my own life when I wanted a child. Others had them, even those who did not want them and would have gladly given their’s away. Why could God not give me one? I had wanted one for so long and had not been able to have one. I always miscarried at the second month, as I had done on my first pregnancy, and each pregnancy following. Finally, no-one would believe with me that I would have a child.

What I wanted most was for someone to agree with me that I would be able to carry a child full-term. I could not get them to do so! My family knew that I had always lost my children at two months and they thought I was foolish to believe that I would one day be able to carry one full-term. In my heart, I believed that God had heard my prayer and that He would grant that prayer, even thought I had gone twelve bleak years without one!

Finally, after my doctor gave me a D&C and put me on the pill to build up my chances of conceiving; and giving my husband fertility drugs to make sure that he would have enough strong sperm cells to get me pregnant, we were ready to try again.

I told my family all about it and hoped that they would help me believe and have faith that this time all would be well. They, in their kindness, didn’t want me to be disappointed again and told me, "DON’T GET YOUR HOPES UP! YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO CARRY ONE PAST THE SECOND MONTH!" They were afraid that I would not be able to stand another failure.

I cried because they could not stand in FAITH with me. Yes, I knew that I might fail again; but sooner or later, God would give me what I asked.

I did not tell them about my efforts to have a child the next time. It was too disheartening to hear their doubts! Sure enough, I became pregnant! I made it past the second month, as I had believed that I would!

At three months, I finally told my family that I was three months pregnant. They were shocked; but still did not believe that I could carry this child to term; and said so! I was crushed again; but I could not give up my faith that I WOULD have my child!

Then, my faith was severely tested! I began to have constant contractions soon after telling my family that I was pregnant! My doctor told me, to keep my child, I would have to stay in bed until the child delivered! This was such a trial for me, as I was so nervous that I could not be still for longer than and hour or so at a time! Now, I must stay in bed, if I wanted to carry this baby!

I could only hold onto my faith! God had allowed me to get past that dreaded second month, and HE WAS GOING to see me through until I had what I wanted most! I had faith that God would bring it to pass!

My husband did not tell my family that I needed help and that the doctor had confined me to my bed. He did not get anyone to come in and feed me or get me what I needed to remain strong; therefore, I didn’t get enough to eat. Still, I believed that God would see me through!

I could go to the bathroom and to the icebox to get a coke; but, then, I had to get back into bed. I couldn’t DO anything, so I used this time to read my Bible and to study art.

God taught me so much during that four months about His Word. At six and one-half months, I tried to miscarry. My husband took me to the hospital and the nurse gave me a shot to stop my labor. They sent me back home to bed again! "You must not get up for any reason," the doctor said emphatically!

At seven months, my husband had to go to court to fight for his four children from a previous marriage. His ex-wife was trying to have them put up for adoption.

He wanted custody, at least temporarily, if not permanently, of his two girls and a set of twin boys. They were: one six, two four and a three year old. One of the twins couldn’t walk yet; and the baby girl couldn’t walk because she was crippled. In two months I would have my own child, if she did not miscarry!

My husband asked me if I thought I could take care of these children without losing my own child. I told him that I would have to pray about it. After praying, I was assured that God would protect my own child as I tried to take care of these four little ones!

For the next two months, even though I was supposed to be confined to bed, I had to care for four active children--cooking, feeding, washing, clothing, bathing, carrying, chasing, disciplining, and loving them. All the things mothers do!

My doctor was livid when I showed up in his office with all these children at my next visit. He had tried so hard to help me get my child to live, he just couldn’t understand how I could put my child’s welfare in danger! I told him that I believed that God would take care of my own child as I took care of these; and, INDEED HE DID!

My child got stronger each day; but the contractions never stopped. Finally, I wanted to know if my family was going to give me a baby shower like they did for everyone else. Again, they said that they would wait until I had delivered my child before they would give me a baby shower! Again, this hurt me. I so wanted SOMEONE to agree with me that my child would be well and live when I, at last, delivered it!

Finally, my child was delivered after such pain as I have seldom experienced! But, at last, the nurses placed a two-day old baby girl in my arms and said that I could go home with her! I had the evidence in my arms that my family and I needed as proof of God’s great love and grace to His handmaiden. Now, others could SEE that God had been faithful to give me my child, in spite of all the things I had done against my doctor’s orders!

Three and one-half years later, God gave me a son! I had to go to bed at two and one-half months to deliver him, also. He tried to deliver at four and one-half months!

Again, I had to go to the hospital; but this time my doctor said that I was half dilated, and that my child would deliver before the dawn! I told him that I could not accept that. "No way, he cannot live yet! He will stay until he can live," I cried!

The doctor again told me that it was not possible, since I was already half through my labor! I stayed a week in the hospital; and when I didn’t finish dilating, the doctor sent me home; but warned me that I would have the baby in a few days. Again, I repeated, "He isn’t big enough to live and God will keep him inside of me until he can!

Oh, how I wished for someone to help me believe that all would be well! I could only hold onto His promise to give me the desires of my heart! I wanted this child, too! I could only pray that God would let him stay TODAY! I would pray about tomorrow--tomorrow!

Each day I could feel the membranes stretching and pulling-trying to separate. But, PRAISE GOD! MY SON STAYED UNTIL SEVEN AND ONE-HALF MONTHS! Then, my water broke, and I was rushed to the hospital. The nurses gave me a shot to knock me out and prevented the delivery until the doctor could get there. Later, in delivery, I came to screaming. My doctor said,, "Be quiet, I am trying so hard to save your son’s life. Shut up and help me pray!" I could surely do that, even though I couldn’t see anything!

The baby wasn’t breathing when he was born; but finally, after a long time, I heard the sweetest sound in the world--his tiny cry! What joy filled my heart as tears filled my eyes! He was so small, only five pounds; but he was alive and breathing! At last, I was content for I had a daughter and a son! My cup was indeed full!

Faith is the spiritual force which brings our hopes and dreams into the physical plane--into reality! Our hopes and dreams--things that we want and truly desire are ours as we lay held upon the truth which is in God’s Word!

We CAN have what we want and desire if we TRULY BELIEVE that GOD will bring it to pass; and we act upon that belief.

Faith is not just a word--it is an action-that we cause to come into effect by acting upon our belief! That FAITH IN ACTION then releases God to perform those things that we have been able to LAY HOLD UPON (grasp tenaciously) and place our trust in!

I now have two lovely children to hold and enjoy which came from MY body through much pain and travail! And not only they, but also three lovely grandsons as well! They are the substance of the things I hoped for; and my evidence of things not seen in the natural except by FAITH!

by Matilda Barbee
©1995 All rights reserved
Used by permission