“Nana,” my 4-year-old granddaughter ran to me. I got on one knee and spread my arms wide to catch her dainty body. I lift her up, hug her tight, twirl her around and we both squeal with joy. That’s our usual greeting.

But not today. She snuggled in her daddy’s arms. Her voice faint and her forehead burning. I placed her on my bed. Her body limp and her thin arms dropped to the side like a rag-doll.

I spread a wet washcloth across her forehead and whispered in her ear. “Nana is here, I’ll take care of you.” But in contrast, my heart desperately cried out. “Lord, heal my precious baby girl. Her fever has been going on too long! Heal her now, Lord!”

As I lifted her hair from her neck, I remembered what God said to Joshua and his buddies.

He and the Israelites stared at the Jordan River, wondering how they would cross it. But after God parted it so they would cross on dry ground, He instructed them to pick up some rocks as a reminder (Joshua 3 and 4).

Why would they need the reminder? Because God knew they were just like us—a bit distracted with deadlines, mending our wounds after publisher rejections, dry spells of no speaking engagements. Sigh!

And in the midst we end up really forgetful. In the craziness of life, the memories of God’s goodness tend to melt quicker than a puddle on the desert sand. We forget how He helped us before. We forget how He healed us before. So we fret ‘cause we forget.

That’s why we all need those same stones. I clutched mine that reminded me of God’s miracles. Two years ago God had healed my granddaughter when she was in the emergency room with a 105 degree temperature.

I kissed her small bare shoulder and whispered in her ear again. “You’ll be okay, sweet baby.”

If you’re burning with the fever of doubt, insecurity, and restlessness skepticism, here are three ways to claim God’s miracles:

1. Know that when God says to ask Him, it’s because He has the answer.

2. God is the same today as He was when rivers and seas were parted. And He’ll part the sea of today’s fear.

3. We can doubt, but God can still act supernaturally. We can worry, but God will still show Himself faithful. And we can wonder, but God’s works of miracles are still vibrant.

If you’re facing a raging river of problems, hold on to that stone and “… do not throw away your confidence.” It will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised (Hebrews 10:35-36).

Father, I often let the circumstances cloud the promises You give. I allow the sadness of the moment to erase what you have done before. And I fall into doubt when the answer doesn’t come in my timing or my ways. Thank you for giving us stones of faith to remember your miracles. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• What doubt plagues your heart these days?

• What keeps you from seeing God’s miracles?

• What promise can you claim to increase your faith?

Janet

Blindness tried to darken her life. Tragedy tried to defeat her. But instead, Janet Perez Eckles became an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host and personal success coach. Her passion is to help you see the best of life by conquering fear and showing you the secret to personal success. www.janetperezeckles.com