The Great Divide between Faith and Action 

The Great Divide Between Faith and Action


“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Recently, I received a phone call from the pediatrician’s office notifying me that my 2-year-old daughter is scheduled to meet with a surgeon. Those two words — daughter and surgeon — should never be uttered in the same sentence. Stunned, I grabbed a crayon from the junk drawer and hastily scrawled the information on my 4-year-old’s notepad.

For several weeks, my youngest had complained that her belly hurt. At first, I thought it was because she’d had a stomach virus after Christmas. The remedy? I cuddled her around the clock and made her peppermint tea. But then, she started pushing on her umbilical hernia and complaining more often of pain.

I made a doctor’s appointment just to be sure the hernia wasn’t causing her pain. We’d been to four pediatricians over the course of her life, and they’d all said that her condition usually heals over time; we would check it when she was 3 years old, and again when she was 4.

In other words, there was no rush. I assumed this new pediatrician visit would simply be a preventative measure, doubling as a wellness check.

It wasn’t.

“These types of hernias don’t move down,” he said. “I think she needs surgery.” He looked at my face. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I replied. “Just tell me what we need to do.”

I’m a firm believer in taking action when action is necessary. Often though, I take action even when action isn’t necessary, and this can get me into trouble. I think everything’s under control so long as I can do something about it.

Family is the hardest area for me to relinquish. I love my husband and daughters so fiercely I try to keep them safe by controlling their environments. This “trying” stems from my false belief that their lives are best when their worlds are perfect. I’m finding, however, that God proves Himself most faithful when they are not.

Two years ago, I heard other words that should never be uttered in the same sentence: husband and brain tumor. God brought my husband through that grueling surgery and recovery, and our family cherishes each other more for having walked through that trial. And yet, hearing those words today — daughter and surgery — instantly brought back fear.

How can I keep my family’s world perfect when the world surrounding them is not? Where is the divide between having faith and taking action? Is there one? Should there be?

I believe Hebrews 11:1 gives us the answer: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

A quirky neurosurgeon in Wisconsin saved my husband’s life, but I believe the prayers that poured in from around the globe saved him as well.

My husband and I recently had my daughter’s hernia evaluated. I’m thankful for medical advancements that may help her. But I also continue to place my hand on that tiny bump above her belly button, praying by faith for her to be healed.