Yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

Habakkuk 3:18

In the movie “Facing the Giants,” one of the themes that runs throughout the storyline is loving God even when He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want. The main couple, Grant and Brooke Taylor, struggle with infertility. This is a heartbreaking disappointment that is part of many women’s stories. So much pain and grief accompany such loss.

Maybe your heartbreak is from the death of a loved one, betrayal, the loss of a job, or a life-changing diagnosis. What do we do with disappointed hearts? In scripture we find many examples of “even though” faith.

Habakkuk’s disappointment dissipated after God reminded him of His sovereignty. Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food… yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:16a,17a,18). 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace. Even though it didn’t look like God was going to swoop in and spare them, they had strong faith to say, …but even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up (Daniel 3:17-18).  

In “Facing the Giants” Brooke received news that, once again, she was not pregnant. She said through tears, “God, even if you do not give me children, I will still love you.” That was profound and has rung in my ears all these years later.

We must challenge our faith. Is Jesus worthy of our love only when He gives us the life we want? How do we know if we love Him for Who He is instead of what He can do for us?

Whatever disappointment you might face, can I ask you a hard question? What kind of faith do you have? Is it a fragile faith that turns away, or one that loves Jesus “even if”?

Johna Clemons