Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.Hebrews 11:1
“Hope is the thing with feathers”
Emily Dickinson
Do you ever look around at your circumstances and wonder what am I going to do? Then, do you feel bad for not having more faith? We throw the term “faith” around like it is some ethereal substance that we can’t quite grasp; it slips through our fingers like fog. Maybe we are going about it all wrong.
When Jesus said we only need the faith of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20), he was referring to basically the smallest seed; however, that seed grows into a mighty tree. How does a tree grow? It has to take in the right nutrients. Our faith grows every time we take in the right spiritual nutrients and then exercise our spiritual muscles.
Faith Has Feet
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 13:13
Faith is often paired with hope and love. All three seem like emotions, but actually all three are actions. They all have feet. For example, love (charity) is shown through action, whether it is a hug, a listening ear, or providing for a need.
Hope is not “hoping for the best.” It is an expectation based on our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Christ gave use hope for a future in Heaven as well as the promise of His Presence here on earth. Because of that hope, we share with others what God has done for us and will do for them.
Faith also has feet. If we want our faith to grow, we have to work it. We have to move forward believing God will do what He promises. The result may not be exactly what we asked for but is always what we need in the long run.
Faith Has a Firm Foundation
They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. Psalm 22:5
We have to put our faith in the right place. When we try to depend on ourselves, our jobs, or other people, they will fail. God does not fail. He is a firm foundation. When we put our faith in Christ, we are building on the rock and not the sand.
We also have to keep our eyes on the path in front of us so that our faith feet don’t trip. If you are tempted to look around at your circumstances and start to worry or complain, take another look. Instead of looking at what you don’t have, see what God has already given you. Start making a gratitude list, and you will be surprised how quickly your outlook can change.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11
Faith Has Focus
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
We have to reset our focus every morning. God is faithful, and His mercies are new every morning. We don’t need to focus on things that might happen in the future. We need to focus on what God wants us to do this day and leave tomorrow in God’s capable hands. If our feet are busy doing today’s task, then we don’t have time for worries. Every time God comes through on His promises, our faith muscle will grow.
It is an everyday choice. Some days I get it right, but some days I don’t. Yet, God is always faithful.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34
