Fear is a sin, but it is also one we all succumb to. When God led our family to return to the mission field of the Middle East fear arose in me. We were happy at our church in Illinois, and also they took very good care of us financially. There was stability and even “security” in staying there. I knew once we resigned the church we would not have any income until we completed our time of itineration, which could be as long as 2 years. I was afraid, very afraid. So much so that it was effecting my sleep and my health. I was terrified we would be required to spend all of our savings, and maybe even go into our retirement just to survive.

At the same time, I knew that disobedience wasn’t an option. When our Lord tells us to do something, “no” isn’t a choice if He is truly our Lord. So not out of an abundance of faith, but simply out of an act of obedience, we submitted to God’s will, resigned the church, and began itinerating.

Our last pay check from the church was April 27th. We proceeded to pay for our move which was over $6000. We begin traveling to church after church, driving over 45,000 miles in less than 9 months. Despite many meals in restaurants, countless tanks of gas, car insurance, and all the other expenses a family of 4 are faced with… but God was faithful.

Despite having no income, despite having expense after expense, our checking account stayed at the same amount month and month. In fact, the day I flew out to the Middle East on February 8th, our checking account was at the exact same dollar amount as the day we received our last pay check on April 27. We never had to go into either our savings or our retirement account…. because God is faithful.

Now I cannot explain it, although many people were God’s hands of generosity towards us, the math simply doesn’t add up. Also I want to emphasize it was not because of my faith. I was afraid through most of the 9 months, but God’s faithfulness is not based on my faithfulness. It is based on who He is, His character. God is faithful. Despite my fear, worry, anxiety, and even lack of trust and sin, God is faithful. All we did was obey… all He did was provide.