Child-like, Goldfish Faith
One time, I heard a story about a five-year-old boy who had some pet goldfish. He really loved his goldfish, but one day for some reason, all but one goldfish had died. Not long after, he and his father walked over to the fish tank to find that the final goldfish was floating on top of the water totally stiff. The little boy said with great disappointment, "Daddy, he died, too." Before the father could respond, the little boy said, "Daddy, can we pray and ask God to heal my goldfish?"
Well, the boy's father was a minister. He thought to himself, "I want my son to know that he can ask God for anything, but then I'm going to have to explain how sometimes prayers don't get answered." This debate about how to answer was revolving in his mind. Finally, he quit trying to reason it all out and said, "Son, if you want to pray, of course, we can pray."
Early the next morning, the father heard a very enthusiastic "Yes!" coming from his son in the other room. He went in to see what the excitement was about. The little boy said, "Dad, it worked! The fish is just fine!" Sure enough, that little goldfish was swimming through the water as healthy as could be. The dad nearly passed out! He already had his speech lined up ready to explain everything. He threw that speech away and said in complete amazement, "Son, with God, all things are possible."
See, when you pray, God doesn't say, "Make sure it's practical. Make sure it's logical. Make sure it's reasonable. Make sure you can figure it all out." No, He simply says, "Believe." When we have this simple, childlike faith, that's when miracles happen. How do you have childlike faith? By taking God at His Word. Romans 10:17 tells us that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Make His Word a priority. Let it build your faith and see His miraculous hand of blessing move in every area of your life!
Well, the boy's father was a minister. He thought to himself, "I want my son to know that he can ask God for anything, but then I'm going to have to explain how sometimes prayers don't get answered." This debate about how to answer was revolving in his mind. Finally, he quit trying to reason it all out and said, "Son, if you want to pray, of course, we can pray."
Early the next morning, the father heard a very enthusiastic "Yes!" coming from his son in the other room. He went in to see what the excitement was about. The little boy said, "Dad, it worked! The fish is just fine!" Sure enough, that little goldfish was swimming through the water as healthy as could be. The dad nearly passed out! He already had his speech lined up ready to explain everything. He threw that speech away and said in complete amazement, "Son, with God, all things are possible."
See, when you pray, God doesn't say, "Make sure it's practical. Make sure it's logical. Make sure it's reasonable. Make sure you can figure it all out." No, He simply says, "Believe." When we have this simple, childlike faith, that's when miracles happen. How do you have childlike faith? By taking God at His Word. Romans 10:17 tells us that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Make His Word a priority. Let it build your faith and see His miraculous hand of blessing move in every area of your life!