Although every one of us has been a child, we often forget what life was like for us back then. That's why being blessed with the presence of little children helps us to remember. As we watch how children behave, we can see in them a faith that is complete and beautiful.

In the west, we know that they don't worry about where their food or clothes come from. They trust that their parents will look after them. They're far too busy playing to bother about such things.

The faith of a child is full and robust. They wouldn't think to question whether mommy and daddy will take care of them. They unconsciously rely on their parents for their needs.

Only when we grow up and start providing for ourselves do we find ourselves wondering about such things as where we'll find a job, where will we live, will we be able to pay the bills, what kind of car should we buy, and so on. These concerns creep in and cause our faith in the Lord to waver and weaken.

Jesus tells us that we need to learn from children how to trust so completely that doubts and concerns vanish and don’t trouble us anymore. We know that's how we should be, but we still find ourselves upset over troubles that come our way.

What's the solution to our difficulty in finding the simple faith of a child?

What needs to happen in order for us to be converted and become like children? Sadly there is bad news before the good.

Something needs to happen to us that takes away the faith we have in ourselves. We need situations that are too complex for us to solve on our own. It may be something like health issues the doctor can’t remedy, death of a loved one, financial crisis, loss of a job, or collapse of a marriage.

In order to receive the good that our Father has planned for us, something must happen to remove our self confidence. This is what I mean by a bad thing being good for us.

In Psalm 119:71, the Psalmist said that it was good for him to be afflicted in order to learn the ways of the Lord. When things were going well he relied on himself, but when affliction came he realized he needed the Lord.

James states the same thing when he says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV).

Can you look at your difficulty and use it as a stepping stone to come close to your Father in heaven?

Do you need the simple faith of a child who trusts their parents without any reserve?

Use your problem for good.

Make it the thing that pushes you into the loving arms of the Lord today.