By Taletha Odom/Guest Writer
The Picayune Item
PICAYUNE —
Martin Luther King, Jr. once said “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”
As history portrays, Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of great faith. Faith so strong, that he risked his life for his beliefs and died in faith, that one day all men would be equal. His faith is greatly admirable in the world today, but what about those who struggle in having faith, or choose not to have faith at all.
Being a young woman of faith, I understand the difficulties of having faith and living for it. The world is so vast and has so much good and bad in it, and sometimes the bad over throws the good. I have a first-hand understanding of the difficulties faced in the world, where it comes down to either having faith or giving in. There are so many struggles in the lives of people today; many losing everything they worked for. A result of this is a loss of their faith.
I am one who faces struggles in school, at home, and with others, and it’s difficult to turn to God and have faith, especially if you feel like God has put you on hold. I have learned God never puts anyone on hold; he is always there in times of need or in support. God puts obstacles in front of you as a test to see if you keep your faith in him like he will keep his faith in you.
It seems more and more people crumble in faith, because they feel God won’t answer their prayers. It’s not about God giving you what you want; it’s about wanting what God has in store for you and having faith to wait for God to answer your prayers. No matter if it takes five minutes, five months or five years, you will wait on his timing.
Some find it hard to keep faith when they feel they are constantly getting knocked down. There are times I feel so alone in the world and have no one to turn to for help. There are times I feel like I am the world’s only target. I feel as if after one tragedy there is bound to be more. It’s frustrating and there are times when I step away from my faith just to realize that stepping away, only leads me to take ten steps back instead of forward.
I have stepped away from my faith more than once and every time I do, everything seems to go wrong. That’s when I stop to realize all the wonderful opportunities God has given me and all the prayers he has answered and doors he has opened for me. It’s difficult not always knowing what life will throw at you next and it’s hard having faith that there is a greater force out there who promises to be there to catch you when you fall. No one knows what tomorrow holds — whatever will be, will be — all we really can have is faith that God has a plan for you and me.
Next time things get complicated, don’t relinquish your faith; embrace it and think of all the wonderful things God has in store for you.
