58: Even If He Does Not Faith with Tami O'Connor
A short Bible story from Daniel 3 will help you understand the significance of my guest, Tami O’Connor, finding her ‘even if He does not’ faith.
In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia made a golden image of himself and then issued an edict that stated everyone within hearing distance of the music must fall down and worship the golden image or be thrown into a blazing furnace.
Three Jewish men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden image, so they were brought before King Nebuchadnezzar. When he asked why they refused, they replied, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Even if God did not save them from the fiery furnace, these men would not serve his gods or worship the golden image. Pretty bold faith, huh?
There are many takeaways from this well-known Bible story. Tami’s story focuses on the takeaway of praising and worshipping Him even if He does not heal a loved one in the way she prayed.
Tami referred to it when her 15-year-old daughter Jordyn asked her if she would still praise God if one or more of their family had died in the tornado. Essentially, Tami affirmed that she would praise God even if He had not protected her family.
Her quick response stuck with her, causing her to question if she really did have ‘even if He does not’ faith. An intense period of Bible study, prayer, and journaling drew her close to God, developing the even if faith that she would need in the future.
Almost a decade later, her daughter Jordyn was diagnosed with a rare stage 4 Sarcoma cancer. Each time she prayed for Jordyn’s healing, she grappled with the question of whether or not she would have that ‘even if He does not’ faith.
Jordyn passed away after a brave three-year fight on April 11, 2021. This episode is in remembrance of her.
Tami’s hard-earned wisdom after going through several significant zigzags is: “I have found that the faster I surrender and I just run into what I’m having to face, the sooner He will show up. Running into the fire always seems to present a deeper understanding of who He is and who I am in Him. I can honestly say that walking through what I’ve walked through has caused me to find my even if He does not faith.”
After listening to today’s episode, I challenge you to take some time to read through Daniel 3 and consider whether or not you have ‘even if He does not’ faith.
