Kristi Woods

Encouraging Women to Walk Deeper with God

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Does Your Faith Feel Like a Rollercoaster Ride?

March 24, 2015 by Kristi 23 Comments

Do you have days where faith feels like a roller coaster ride?

The ups, the downs, the stomach-in-your-mouth turns?

If you’re silently whispering me too, you’re not alone.

We click along fine, the kind of fine that pulls out of the gate nice and easy, slow and steady.

 

Click.
Click.
Click.

 

The coaster clicks along the track, gaining speed as time progresses. Can you feel the breeze in your hair as the scenery whizzes by?

 

Hey, this is easy. This is do-able. Life is good. I like this walk of faith.

 

Then, wham!

A stomach-in-the-mouth dip jumps on us. We gasp for breath, taken aback by the surprise.

 

Where did that come from?
Why did they do that?
Why did she say that?
Why can’t I ever get it right?
Why did he treat me like that?

 

Like Peter, we follow Jesus. Eternity is not in question. We love our Savior. But there’s distance in that faith follow.

 

When the challenges come, we whip out our sword of self-will.

 

Like Peter facing Malchus, the servant at Jesus’ arrest (John 18), we do what seems rational, protective, or reactive in situations.

 

Entertaining hurt feelings.

Gossiping, often slyly known as “discussing” or “a prayer request”.

Avoidance.

Lashing out in anger.

 

Like Peter when the cock crowed, we’re left with a batch of denial. Maybe tears, too.

Oh, I understand. How many times I’ve run with my own solutions versus faith, grabbing that sword and slicing away.

I’ve been a Peter.

  • I’ve answered without praying. More times than I’d ever like to think.
  • Walked without consulting. It’s the strong-willed child syndrome.
  • Reacted without drawing near. Just do something!

 

But as with Peter, Jesus awaits you and me.

There’s hope. In His mercy, Jesus sees past those roller coaster rides. 

 

He forgives. Just ask.

  • The dips we caused and those we didn’t
  • Not-s0-righteous reactions
  • Every single sword slice we mustered.

 

With faithfulness, He waits.

Because heaven is on the horizon.

 

With love, He coaxes for a sword set-down.

And He asks:

 

Do you love me?
Take care of my sheep.

Do you love me?
Feed my sheep.

Do you love me?
Follow me. (John 21)

 

Peter did. He left the rollercoaster ride, setting down his sword, and followed in faith.

We can too.

 

We can leave the ride and lead people to the Jesus well, the one where never a soul goes thirsty. Ever.

With faith, drink it in. And pass the cup.

 

Even in the dips, twists, turns, and curves, this is worship beyond surface level.

It’s deep calling out to deep.

It’s faith walking into maturity – the place where the dips, curves, twists, and turns become less tumultuous. It’s where confidence rises, dependence even more, where words are strong, and motives are purely Jesus.

The sword set-down in faith is a place where the Holy Spirit equips and lives are changed. What does it look like in real life? It might be:

 

~Taking care of his sheep

  • Mentor

  • Be a friend

  • Reach out to stranger and favorites alike, even when it’s uncomfortable.

 

~Feeding others

  • Pray with others – one-on-one, in groups, via email or message, or simply by yourself in the solo prayer closet

 

  • Send encouraging texts, emails, phone calls, and cards

  • Do what needs to be done, with convenience set aside.

 

~Follow Jesus…in Faith

  • Prayer

  • Obedience

  • Worship

  • Offering

  • Outreach.

There is one lifeline for me concerning this recently as I’m learning to apply it to everyday, seemingly simple dips in the roller coaster ride of life.

When I want to be hurt, I go to it.

Angry? This too.

Frustrated? Yes.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says just trust me I’ve got this. Recite it well, my friend, as you follow closely.

 

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

 

Linking up, writing encouraging words, with the go-getters-for-Jesus at:
#TestimonyTuesday
#IntentionalTuesday
#RaRaLinkUp
#TellHisStory
#CoffeeforYourHeart
#Woman2WomanWednesday and
#livefreeThursday

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Comments

  1. Crystal Storms says

    March 24, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Beautiful words and practical ideas, Kristi, that inspire me to lead others because I have followed Jesus. “But to lead, we must learn to follow. Follow Jesus. To go and “make,” we must “partake.” Partake of Jesus. The Bread of Life.” Ready to pause and partake of Him this day.

    Thank you for inspiring others with your words at #IntentionalTuesday.

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 25, 2015 at 3:39 am

      Thank you, Crystal. #GoJesus!

      Reply
  2. Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life says

    March 24, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    Kristi, so lovely to connect with you through Holly’s linkup today. I loved what you shared here — and am thankful for His grace on days when the ride is wilder than usual. Blessings 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 25, 2015 at 3:42 am

      Thanks for visiting, Lyli.Yes, yes, thankful for the grace on those wilder than usual days. Amen.

      Reply
  3. Christine Duncan says

    March 24, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    Such a wonderful encouragement… how many times have I read these commands from Christ, and then turned around and undid all of His love with one swipe of my sword of self? I’m sure it’s been way too many. I’ll be hanging on to this for a bit!
    Visiting from the #RaRaLinkup, Kristi, and wishing all God’s best for your day!

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 25, 2015 at 3:44 am

      Hi Christine! You’re always a joy in the comments. 🙂 Wishing God’s best to you as well.

      Reply
  4. Katie Reid says

    March 25, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    Stopping over from Woman 2 Woman- enjoyed your post this morning.:)

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 25, 2015 at 11:47 pm

      Hi Katie! So glad you stopped by.

      Reply
  5. Aundi K says

    March 25, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    Kristi, yes, I understand what this rollercoaster of faith is like! Thank you for the helpful reminders! #IntententionalTuesday

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 25, 2015 at 11:49 pm

      Yes, those rollercoasters. Thank God for smoother days. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  6. bluecottonmemory says

    March 25, 2015 at 11:37 pm

    “Just trust” – oh, yes! For a long time, I cried, “Help! Help!” – and then when I learned trust, I just asked Him to “stand with me” because I trusted. Sweet encouragement in your post! So glad I stopped by!

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 25, 2015 at 11:49 pm

      Trust…it’s better than gold. Love hearing His work in your life. Thanks for stopping in.

      Reply
  7. Samantha Landrus says

    March 26, 2015 at 10:17 am

    Kristi,
    I have a super soft spot in my heart for Peter. Maybe because I can relate so well to him? I love that God doesn’t use perfect people to be the rock of his church. His grace covers our moments of fallout that are guaranteed to happen. What a great illustration of the sword at the garden. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 26, 2015 at 3:36 pm

      Yes, His grace. His grace. Thanks for stopping by, Samantha.

      Reply
  8. Kristine Brown MTY says

    March 26, 2015 at 10:18 am

    I smile when I think of how much like Peter I am. When we look at how God used him, it gives me great hope! Great thoughts today:) Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 26, 2015 at 3:37 pm

      Underneath it all, I think Peter gives all of us hope. Thank you, Jesus! Thanks for stopping by, Kristine.

      Reply
  9. Suzie Eller says

    March 26, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    Peter will always be one of my favorites because of his impulsive reactions. He led from the heart. Later, wisdom and maturity took that same heart and grounded it and used him as a leader among many. What a beautiful story of how God can take my impulsive heart and do the same.

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 26, 2015 at 3:38 pm

      Am so there with you, Suzie. Thank you, Lord. Thanks for popping in.

      Reply
  10. Kamea Hope says

    March 26, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    I love that Peter, and many other ‘heros’ of the Bible, were far from perfect, and yet God used such people in mighty ways. I find the James 5:17 encouraging, “Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” (NLT). Elijah was one of the greatest prophets who ever lived, and yet we are reminded that he was human, just as we are human. You see, it was not Elijah or Abraham, or Peter, who were great; it is God who has been the hero all along, working mightily through those who are willing to walk in obedience.
    Blessings,
    Kamea

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 26, 2015 at 3:39 pm

      Yes, Kamea, I love that God uses the imperfect.There’s hope. 🙂 Loved having you visit.

      Reply
  11. Kamea Hope says

    March 26, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  12. Kim says

    March 26, 2015 at 7:57 pm

    Kristi, beautiful response to #livefree today! I need to work on ‘feeding others’ better. Thanks for the encouragement today. Kim
    http://www.kimstewartinspired.com

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 26, 2015 at 11:57 pm

      You’re welcome, Kim. Love having you visit. 🙂

      Reply

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Welcome! I’m Kristi.

Feel free to pull up a chair, make yourself feel at home. This is “our” space to be real, to grow in faith, and to walk deeper with God.

(Read more of my faith journey here.)

Be forewarned, however. This is a space for Sunday pewsitters becoming Monday through Sunday worshipers – a place where women walk deeper with God.  xo

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