What Faith Is All About

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (KJV)

What is faith? I can tell you what faith is not, faith is not a feeling. Faith can affect your feelings, but it does not derive from feelings. Faith is not circumstances, for though faith can affect circumstances, faith does not derive from circumstances.

I think faith has gotten a bad reputation over the past few decades. Some faith-preachers have equated faith with feeling, implying that if one will simply get themselves worked up into an emotional state--then they will have faith to “move mountains”. Certain faith-preachers have also equated faith with circumstances, implying that if your bank account is full, and if you are living a life of luxury, then you must be “walking in faith” and, consequently, if your circumstances are not very good you must be in the midst of a “faith crisis”.

It is true that we can stir our faith by reading God’s word and reminding ourselves of the faithfulness of God. And we can also enjoy the benefits that derive from being faithful to God, seeing His blessings showered upon our families, and upon our lives in many ways. However, what we should never do is to assume that faith depends upon feelings or circumstances. God often stirs us to the greatest faith in the midst of crisis, not in the midst of luxury or problem-free-living. Our faith must be tried and tested--and it will be. For we must show what true faith consists of, and it consists of relying upon God when things do not go our way, or when circumstances look very bad, that is where true, mature, rock-solid faith is found.

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (KJV)

None of us enjoy trials and tribulations, and promising a problem-free-life for every Christian would make anyone incredibly popular, but it would not be telling the truth. For our Lord suffered, and His Apostles suffered, and His Disciples suffered--so do you think it is reasonable to expect that we will see no suffering or hardship? It is not possible for your faith to grow unless you face trials and hardship and challenges of all kinds, faith untested is not faith at all.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (KJV)

The truly good news is that God is with us in the good times, and in the painful times. And while I appreciate God at all times, I must confess that I appreciate Him the most in the midst of crisis situations, for it is in those fearful, painful, and dark times that I need God’s peace and presence the most, and it is then that faith comes to the forefront. It is in the fires of tribulation that God’s Holy Spirit comforts us, and empowers us beyond our feeble human strength and abilities.

Give God a weak Christian, one not very strong in body or mind, yet having faith--and you will truly see what God can do in the midst of faith. Faith is of God, a mighty gift that comes to us when we turn our eyes to Him, trusting in His help. Faith is not a human ability, not born of human emotion, nor of great physical or great mental abilities. No. God is the source of everything, even faith, and when we turn to Him in trust, especially when we turn to Him in trust while every emotion, and every circumstance seems hopeless, it then becomes clear just how much faith can do in the heart and life of a believer through God’s power.

Brothers and Sisters, do not think that being in bad circumstances means you do not have enough faith, or that if you suffer from a physical or mental affliction it is because you do not have enough faith, but rather see these things as an opportunity to fully trust God, not based upon what you see or feel, but based upon God Himself, for He is well able to see you through any difficult circumstance, and I believe that your trust and faith will grow in the process.

Dear Lord Jesus, so many times we feel overwhelmed by life and its circumstances, but help us to turn our eyes toward You, and always place our faith in you, regardless of feelings or circumstances. Amen

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016