What is faith? Faith is an invisible thing. Christians live by faith, not by sight. Faith is not simply an emotion or thought process but is an unwavering confidence built on the knowledge and belief that God is who he says he is. Faith is throwing yourself with abandon at the foot of the cross and believing everything remarkable that was accomplished there. Friend, if your faith is dependent on what you can see and understand, it is built on a very weak foundation. You might think it unreal if you can’t see it, smell it, taste it, or touch it. But if you have true faith, you can sense it. What does it feel like? It feels like the complete absence of worry and the reassuring fullness of the comfort of peace. Faith feels like this because, as a believer, you know that death is not your end; instead, it is your transition to being in the presence of God. Those who believe in what they cannot see shall inherit an everlasting life. This is why it is so important that you have faith!
Faith is believing that God loves you and will provide for you and fulfill all the promises he has made to you. When you stop counting on yourself and begin to believe God is in control of all things, you will have arrived at that blessed place of surrender where you will experience an immeasurable calm, even relief from the weight of worldly burdens and cares. Have faith enough to trust yourself completely in the hands of God, follow him wherever he may lead, and your steps will be sure for they will be guided by your faith in his goodness.
Do not be discouraged if your faith falters. Diminished faith does not mean that you have lost your faith, only that you are undergoing a trial that challenges your beliefs. Perhaps you think a prayer has not been answered, or your heart has been shattered with bitter disappointment, or worse, a painful loss. Do not think God is punishing you; he is not. He weeps with you. You live in a broken world that cannot provide for you what can only be found in Heaven. Expect brokenness in a broken world, and pain in brokenness. These are the times when you need God’s comfort most. Trust him to lead you through the brokenness and believe that there is no disappointment in your heavenly home. Without faith it is impossible to have a right relationship with God, so ask him to increase your faith during all challenging times, and he will do it.
Friend, do not forget that faith is meant to be shared with others. You must make your thankful thoughts and sensation of inner peace known through speaking of it to others. The business of the church is not only to save but to enlighten. Christ is the light, and his disciples must also be light. It is not a life of good works, but one work that is required, and that is to have a faith that would enable you to rely on Christ and, from such faith, to lead a Christ-like life. To fit in with the crowd is to miss an opportunity to be an example of Jesus and show his goodness and mercy to anyone watching you. Always reveal your faith in Christ with your words as well as your good and selfless deeds. May your faith increase with each new day! Amen.
