It Starts Small

Yesterday I wrote faith is: simply putting trust or confidence in something or someone and having a belief that is not based on proof.

Worldly faith is different from the faith I am addressing here. A great example of the faith we are talking about can be found in 1 Samuel 17. God leads a young shepherd boy named David to conquer a 9 foot Philistine giant in battle.

⁸ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— Ephesians 2:8

It is by faith we have the confidence to know we are saved by the grace of Jesus. When we have confidence and hope in God, we are told that it pleases Him.

11 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 
 ⁶ Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:1,6

Everyone has faith. The real question is “in what.“

Faith placed in a spouse for protection?
Faith placed in an employer to provide?
Faith in our own abilities?

A real faith is so important for the follower of Jesus. It is what helps us to learn about God and His loving heart towards us. The more we learn about Him, the more we experience His character. The more we experience His character, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the more we learn to rest and place our faith in Him.

How do we live it out?

By simply starting. WHen we choose to trust God despite our fear, we walk in faith. When we use the Holy Spirit’s gifts given to us to impact others, we are walking in faith. When we love others and point the way to our loving Savior, we are walking in faith. When we give God the glory and recognize all we have comes from Him and we honor Him by giving back what he has given us, we are walking in faith. When we run to Him first, and seek His guidance and comfort, we are walking in faith.

Just like our bodies needed to grow to become adults, our spiritual bodies need to grow as well. This is a lifelong pursuit of Jesus and a lifelong learning to trust in Him. God knows our hearts. He knows that faith can be accompanied by insecurities and fear. This is why when we chose faith over fear, it pleases God.

What do we do when our faith is low?

We do what we know to build it back up. Fill your mind with the things that encourage you and make the conscious choice to trust God. Then you take that courageous step forward.

A relationship with God is not built overnight. It is one faithful step at a time. Start with the basics. Who IS God? Not what can God do for me, but learn about the Character of God. Who does God say you are? Do you trust and believe God in all He says? I can tell you it is not easy to take the burdens and just lay them one by one in His hand, but when you do, he returns back to you more than you imagined.

One small, even if it is shaky at first, step at a time. Before you know it, your shaky steps become confident steps.

Part 1: And these Remain
Part 2: Faith
Part 3: Hope
Part 4: Love