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Free Falling Faith

Free Falling Faith

Last updated on: February 20, 2019 at 7:00 am by MaryJo Petersen Castro

Free Falling Faith 2019-02-19T16:04:41-05:00 MaryJo Petersen Castro

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One bright day, I was casually sitting in an outdoor dining area when I noticed a cloud, it was quickly moving across the sky and it drew everyone’s attention. This was no ordinary cloud. The cloud was clearly outlined- it was Jesus sitting on His throne. The cloud was mosaic in design and radiated brilliant colors of fire. I was astounded by the beauty of it. But as the cloud came closer, the wind picked up and suddenly I was swept up in a whirlwind along with a few others.

As I was swirling around and around hundreds of feet up in the air, I noted I was relaxed and unafraid- just as though the feeling of fear never existed. I was aware that I would die if I fell, but I knew God was supporting me with His hand in the wind, and I completely trusted Him. I threw back my head and laughed out loud at my foolishness and folly at my belief that God was untrustworthy.

I woke up with a start and in a cold sweat. The dream changed the course of my life that morning. In the dream, I divinely and vividly encountered God as He lovingly addressed my trust issues with Him. I hit the floor, knees first, and repented of my thirteen years of rebellion and lack of faith.

Many years later, God reminded me of this dream, at a time when my husband and I were about to lose almost everything we had. We were free falling- and it was a long, slow, painful fall. God wanted me to compare my then present posture — white-knuckled, wading through waves of fear, anxiously bracing myself for impact, to the relaxed and trusting posture I had in my dream. I knew right away God was calling me to trust Him with my cares.

“Just because you’re afraid doesn’t mean you’re in danger.” Dharius Daniels

It was clear to me I was limiting God’s work in my life by expecting to hit the ground instead of trusting Him. Once God revealed my unbelieving condition, I began to walk in faith and trust Him completely in the free fall. Surprisingly, I found freedom in letting go and knowing, “When I fall, I will not be hurled down, Because the Lord is the One who holds my hand and sustains me.” (Psalm 37:24)

Freedom comes when we let go and let God be God in our uncertainty. Completely abandoning ourselves to God’s care, while focusing on Him and His Word, and trusting in His everlasting love for us, helps diminish our fears and sees us through our circumstances.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

God completely supported and sustained me while free-falling into the unknown. Is it unnerving to free fall? Absolutely! But, if we keep our eyes on Him, live with thanksgiving in our heart, and speak His promises out loud, we will persevere. Will it be easy? No! But, if we lean into God’s grace, strength, and courage to believe, He will never let us hit the ground.

God restores, renews and rewards us when we overcome, by His grace, our fearful and unbelieving posture. Because of God’s faithfulness, He didn’t allow me to hit the ground and He won’t allow you to hit it either, as long as you trust in Him.

Our posture communicates our beliefs about God and who He is. What’s your posture in your current circumstance?

About MaryJo Petersen Castro

MaryJo Petersen Castro previously worked as the Communications Director at Courage For Life in Marietta, GA. As a creative leader and communicator, she has served in full-time ministry since 2003. MaryJo has worked in and produced content for live media, television, and film in the Atlanta, GA and Greenville, SC markets. You can read more about the author here.

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