Learning to Live by Faith

In my twenties, I suffered from migraines almost daily.

Though I did not know it at the time, they were caused by food allergies. My face would break out in boils, and the pain in my head left me incapacitated. The migraines sapped my energy, and I felt a hundred years old. As a member of the Norwalk Seventh-day Adventist Church in California, USA, I loved being involved in its thriving city ministry that included a bakery, a bookstore, and a daycare, among other things. Members took turns cooking lunch for about thirty people each weekday for the volunteers who worked in those various ministries. One day, when it was my turn to prepare lunch, I had a terrible migraine once again.

While I knew everyone would be depending on me for lunch, I felt powerless and unequal to the task required of me. I prayed, “Lord, You know how I feel today and the task I must accomplish. You have promised that to those who have no might, You will increase their strength [Isaiah 40:29]. I claim Your assurance that ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me’ [Philippians 4:13, KJV]. I trust You to fulfill these promises for me today. Lord, I choose to trust in Your Word.” Leaning all my weight on God and pressing hard into these beautiful promises, I left the house, walked over to the kitchen, and began to prepare the meal. Amazingly the energy was there for the task. The pain left, and I was able to fix the meal. I even had the strength to clean up the dishes afterward and pack everything away.

Two hours later I walked back home, and as soon as I entered my house, the pain returned, and my energy drained from me. It happened so suddenly, so intensely, that I was left in no doubt that God had supernaturally sustained me for the task of the day.

Oh! How I praised His Holy name! The Lord taught me an invaluable lesson that day, and from this experience, I have learned how to lean hard into God’s promises for the help I need. When I ask according to His Word, He always comes through for me.

The Bible is filled with so many wonderful promises that He begs us to claim and ask—so we may receive. My friends, please join me today in taking God at His Word.

He who promised is faithful!

Sarah Burt