Those of us familiar with the Word of God know that the Bible answers this question quite succinctly in the Book of Hebrews, where the brilliant yet unknown author states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). When I was blind to the Bible and had not the least interest in reading it, a friend who happened to be a pastor described an example of faith to me: When you are driving up a hill and cannot see the road on the other side of the top, faith is confidently continuing up and over the hill, trusting wholeheartedly that the road does, indeed, continue on.
Now that’s a pretty concrete (or asphalt) description of faith, but how does one apply that to faith in our almighty God? It’s important to note that faith is a gift from Him. The Apostle Paul explains, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith is a bit like exercise — the more you exercise your body, the stronger your body becomes, and the stronger your body becomes, the more exercise you can endure. Likewise, the more you trust God and embrace His gift by letting go of worry and exhibiting faith in small matters, the more you will abandon hopelessness and cling to faith in larger matters. Faith builds upon itself and strengthens as we endure trials.
Consistent prayer is essential to building faith. Answered prayer instills confidence in the Lord and inspires us to pray in all things, big and small. Lose your keys?! Don’t get frustrated but take a moment to stop and ask God to help you find them. Drive into a ditch?! Don’t panic but ask Him for guidance on what to do next and perhaps ask for some divine assistance, which may come in the way of a passerby. Family member severely ill?! Again, pray. In many cases it might be best to ask our Lord what He wants you to learn from the suffering of others as well as your reaction to it. Most importantly, believe your prayers will be answered.
It is too easy to doubt. Even the Apostle Thomas (aka Doubting Thomas), who witnessed many miracles performed by our Savior, doubted the resurrection of Jesus and pronounced, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:24-28).
Praise God, my faith in Him continues to build daily. He has rewarded me greatly time and time again for my faith. I don’t expect you to trust my experiences, but I do pray that you will trust the One who knows all things from beginning to end (Isaiah 46:9-10). And remember what Jesus told the dubious one after seeing and touching the resurrected Lord, calling Him his Lord and his God, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29).
Hebrews 11:6 states: “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.” Be a blessed believer, overflowing with faith; the road does continue on!!! Walk by faith, not by sight.
