• Start Here
    • Disclosure & Privacy Policy
  • Blog
    • Prayer
    • Spiritual Disciplines
    • Trusting God
  • Prayer for the Week
  • Store
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Prayer and Possibilities | Prayer - Discipleship - Spiritual Disciplines - Discernment - Trusting God

Prayer & Possibilities

  • Deepen Your Prayers
  • Develop Your Faith
  • Step Into God’s Possibilities
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Learning God’s Math

February 12, 2015 ·

Learning God’s Math

Uncategorized

God's Math

My daughter is in first grade this year, so we’ve been learning the basics of math. Addition means you are getting more. Subtraction means you’re taking something away, so are left with less. The rules are concrete and constant. Addition always means more; subtraction always means less.

In God’s math equations, though, the traditional rules don’t always apply.

I’ve been thinking about the traditional Lenten observance of sacrifice and discipline. I talked in my last post how I’ve been taking on a discipline for Lent the past few years, rather than giving up something. Yet, as I’ve thought through it, either way, you’re giving up something AND adding something else.

If I decide to fast during Lent – give up chocolates, stop drinking coffee (gasp!), give up meat on Fridays – I’m taking away something I like. Yet, I’m also taking on a new discipline, maybe even getting some other benefits like losing weight. Subtracting, yet adding.

If I decide to take on a new discipline – observing Sabbath, carving out more time for prayer, digging into a Bible study – I’m adding something new to my schedule or increasing my knowledge, yet also taking something away, like sleep or TV time, in order to make room for the new discipline. Adding, yet subtracting.

This year, I’m feeling called to take on a focused discipline of prayer (adding), yet also called to focus on praying for others instead of my own needs (subtracting). It seems a lot to ask – to both add and subtract in some significant ways. It might be a burden if the math rules applied, effectively netting these activities to zero. However, in God’s equation, I know the result will be multiplied.

Somehow God can make A – B = A * B * X

I know if I’m obedient to this call and faithfully add and subtract, God will amplify (multiple) my faith. I’ll grow in ways I can’t imagine now. I’ll find this process of adding and subtracting to not be a burden, but instead a blessing.

New habits minus sacrifice equals faith multiplied.

So, what math is God working in your life?

Will you follow when God asks you to add and subtract, opening yourself to the possibility that the result will be multiplied faith?

Sharing with: Fellowship Friday, Friendship Friday, Blessing Counters, Saturday Soiree, The Weekend Brew

Other Posts You May Like

Previous Post: « What Are You Giving Up For Lent?
Next Post: 23 Prayer Methods and Ideas to Reignite Your Prayer Life »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lindsey says

    February 13, 2015 at 7:19 am

    Whoa! That’s the first math I’ve ever understood 😉

  2. Being Woven says

    February 13, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    WOW! I tutor first and second graders now after retirement from education. As I began reading God’s math here, I became overwhelmed, thinking that my tutees’ math just might be simpler…BUT by the time I finished reading, I could plainly see the beauty of God’s math when we sincerely seek His ways. : )
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

    • Kathryn says

      February 17, 2015 at 4:35 am

      I think I may have been helping with too much 1st grade math lately! 🙂 But, this concept just grabbed my heart that the sacrifices God asks of us really aren’t making something less, but growing our faith. Glad you stopped by!

  3. Debbie Jackson says

    February 14, 2015 at 9:08 am

    This is a great comparison! Thanks for sharing it!

  4. betsydecruz says

    February 16, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    I love the idea of taking something ON for Lent. Sounds so much more positive. I guess both giving something up or taking something on can be avenues for growth. But this sounds so constructive. Thanks for the idea.

    • Kathryn says

      February 17, 2015 at 4:36 am

      for me, the thing about Lent is choosing some discipline that will grow you closer to God. This year, He’s calling me to take on a deeper focus on prayer, but praying for others; giving up praying for my own needs. I’m intrigued to see where these next weeks will take me 🙂

  5. lperkowski says

    February 17, 2015 at 3:36 am

    I don’t like math…but I loved this math lesson! 🙂 I’m thankful that God doesn’t abide by the same rules as arithmetic. Wishing you multiplied faith during this season of Lent.

    • Kathryn says

      February 17, 2015 at 4:39 am

      Maybe too much 1st grade math homework at my house lately, but had fun with this one 🙂 Wishing you a Lent season growing closer to God.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hi, I'm Kathryn! I'm glad you're here to journey with me! I'm just an ordinary girl following an extraordinary God, learning to seek God's possible in this world of impossible. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! Let's step forward together and learn practical ways to live into God's possible! Read More…

Lookup a word or passage in the Bible


BibleGateway.com

Footer

Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 · beloved theme by Restored 316

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT