“For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

Faith Renewed

As I let hope be renewed in my heart, and as I start to pray afresh for a breakthrough—I’ve begun to think about faith. I decided I wanted to lay aside everything I know about it, everything I think I understand or don’t understand, and just look at it with fresh eyes.

Our friend Mark Buckley in Phoenix writes a column every once in a while. Shortly after I started thinking about faith, he shared this: “Faith is not the absence of fear, or a clear understanding of how things will work out. Faith is an inner assurance that God will give us grace that will lead to victory over the challenges we face.”

When I read that, everything in me said, “Yes! That’s how I see it.” Thank you, Mark, for stating it so clearly.

“Faith is not the absence of fear.” I have days when I am totally at peace, and days when fear could overwhelm me if I didn’t take control over it. When a new storm blows into our lives—and we’ve had a lot of storms through all these months—I have to battle to keep fear from taking over.

  • “Faith is not a clear understanding of how things will work out.” Oh, how I wish I knew how things will work out! I long for that many times. But there is no certainty, no clear understanding of what’s ahead.
  • “Faith is an inner assurance that God will give us grace.” If there wasn’t that assurance, that deep conviction—then I’d not be able to make it. I can’t make it on my own! But God gives daily, hourly, moment-by-moment grace to persevere.
  • “Faith will lead us to victory over the challenges we face” because of who God is. God, our Rock, our Sustainer, our Savior, our Strength, the source of all we need—God will lead us to victory! I’m not even sure what victory means in our situation, but I know He’s leading me there.

He has helped me keep on the path of this journey because He has a plan, a purpose, a “victory” ahead for us. It may simply be heaven! But He’s helping me, Floyd, and our family keep going towards His victory for us.

There are days when it feels like my heart is full of faith, and days when it feels less than a thimble full. But it doesn’t matter if I simply keep my eyes on Him. Trusting in Him. Holding His hand. His faith is sufficient to get me through if I focus on Him, trust Him, and hold tightly to His loving hand.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1).

“You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:3).

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly see Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

I’m not an expert on faith, and I’m certainly not a theologian. But I’ve come to the conclusion that if I lack faith, I lack trust. And the more I trust, the more my faith rises. It’s as simple and as complicated as that! I’m soaking myself in prayer, in worship, and in the Word, so that my trust, and my faith, can grow!

“Father, lead us in ways that cause us to learn to trust You. Amen.”