Hebrews 11:1
What is faith? It is the confident
assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty
that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it
up ahead.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House
Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol
Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Leap of
faith…faith-based initiatives and organizations…faith
ministries…childlike faith…”have faith”…”keep the faith”...walk by
faith…we throw this word “faith” around pretty freely and broadly. But
what do we truly believe? What does faith mean in our everyday lives?
We’ve
all heard this scripture from Hebrews that pretty well defines the word
“faith.” But how do we demonstrate and explain Christian faith to
others…particularly those who are skeptical? In my own life, I believe
God has allowed me to experience some “stuff” so that I have a base for
sharing my faith with others. This is part of what I try to do with
these daily devotionals.
I am genetically wired to worry. It’s
just what we do in my family. When I was little, I worried about
tornadoes, because my grandmother instilled a healthy (and
experience-based) fear of them in my siblings and me. And now, Timothy
has begun to worry about tornadoes after participating in a few drills
at school and learning about weather and storms. Despite my best
efforts to assure him that we have safe places to ride out any potential
storms, he may just have to experience one firsthand to totally believe
this.
But wait…isn’t that the opposite of faith? Isn’t faith about believing we are safe and protected without
physical proof? Yes. But sometimes, we have to go through something
difficult and see firsthand how God provides before we can trust Him for
the unseen things yet to come. As I share my faith with others, I am
able to say, “God saw me through ABC”…”He delivered me from XYZ”…”God
protected me in this situation and solved that problem…and I know that
He will do the same again and again – for me AND for you!”
I
won’t say that I never worry any more…that I “keep the faith” every
minute of the day. I have my moments just like we all do. But I try to
quickly capture anxious thoughts and doubts and claim the promises of
God to handle all things in my life and in the lives of others. I
know that sometimes I need a “gentle reminder” of how well He cares for
me in order to further strengthen my faith for things to come.
Whatever
you are facing today, “keep the faith!” Believe that God is in
complete control and that He will never give you more than you can
handle – with His help and presence! When troubles come, ask God
to show you how He is using them to strengthen you – and your trust in
Him. Learn to use these situations to share with others how God has
sheltered and guided you through even the roughest patches of life – and
help them build up their own faith. And keep believing. What God has
already done…He will do again – and then some!
Build on your
past to shore up your future as you learn to increasingly “walk in
faith” every single day. God’s got this! My prayer is that we would
all grow in confidence and strengthen our “faith muscle” – and that we
would begin today. Are you in?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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