“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.”
~Oswald Chambers
There are a myriad of “things” that require our faith. Just to name a few:
- That our “shoot from the hip” dinner entrée (assembled using miscellaneous leftovers from the refrigerator) will be edible.
- That a situation that is beyond our control will work out for the best.
- That a loved one’s health will improve.
- That our political leaders have what it takes to make decisions and influence policy in the right direction. That they will fight for what is right, for strategies that have proven results, and not just for what gains acceptance.
- That God exists.
- That God does in fact know better than we do.
We are human. We have doubts. We have numerous fears. We have the capability to concoct alluring arguments as to why we shouldn’t believe that a concept is true, immoral, or even possible.
But faith is bigger than that. True faith is bigger than our fears and doubts. It is stronger than what we can talk ourselves into or out of. Faith’s worth and lifetime reaches far beyond that of our cars, houses, and bank accounts.
Faith goes beyond what we cannot see and/or understand. Sometimes it will require more than just knowing a supreme being is here with us, despite our nagging questions. It’s not enough just to say that we have faith in God. We need to go further.
At times, as difficult as it may be, we need to have faith that we don’t know. That we don’t know why a calamity or loss had to happen to bring about what we need, or what the world may need in the end. That we aren’t the center of the universe, no matter how much the devil likes to deceive us into believing that we are. That we simply may not have the capability to conceive how a world filled with pain and loss could possibly become a stepping stone for progress.
Yes – have faith. Have faith in you, your strength, your knowledge, and your abilities. God has given you more gifts than could ever be presented under your Christmas tree in December. But don’t forget to have faith that it’s okay that you don’t know everything–because Someone else does. He is perfection at its best and He won’t let us down.
What a load off, huh?
Challenge Yourself: What have you been carrying around on your shoulders that you clearly have no control over? OR, what have you been carrying that you do have control over, but may have been resisting God’s instruction, believing that you know what is the right? Give it to Him. Trust His instruction/His Word. Despite hesitation or fear, have faith that He knows better than you do and loves you too much to ever mislead you.
These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 Peter 1:7 (NIV)
Tagged: Belief, Christianity, Faith, God, Love, Trials, Trust
