Faith on Trial

Is it Working for You? If you really think of it, faith (believing) is always being questioned or asserted in our lives. Does faith then operate as its own separate entity or does it have an interconnectivity to life itself? We say that we have faith, until something happens to erode the hope and trust needed to sustain our faith.

Let’s prepare the case by first defining what faith is. Faith is belief, confidence, conviction, dependence, expectation, reliance, surrender, and trust. Faith is assurance and certainty. Faith is reasonable, seeks understanding, and does not conflict with science. It defies what our eyes see, to rest upon the promises of God – which we are certain of, that we cannot see.

Does having faith depend upon a select status or intellect or possession – who gets it? Faith is a gift from God, to which “all” are given a measure (Romans 12:3). Grace (the giving of unearned favor – something we actually do not deserve) enables faith. Our response to faith must always be freely given (without hidden motives). Faith makes it possible for us to accept Jesus as our Lord (salvation) – and to share in the life of the Holy Spirit.

Did faith exist before or after man, where did it come from? Considering that there was no thing that existed in the beginning except God, and God alone spoke everything (the universe) into creation (being) – faith had to have been present. Did God need faith? He naturally exudes faith. It’s part of His DNA in the way He thinks. God simply knows that what He says will happen!

If with the one who has faith, no explanation is necessary and for the one without faith, no explanation is possible – then why is faith even important? Facing life with all of its unknowns can weaken our faith, and cause us to lose hope – not only in ourselves, but also in any potential outcome in our lives. Much of hope lives in the mind; however, faith is immersed in the heart and the spirit. In this way faith affects our physical, mental, and social well-being. 

Could it be faith, unexplained by reason or logic or a single element, functioning around us all of the time? It’s what allows us to move from one moment to the next without falling apart over each action we take. Consider this: There is never a when that faith is not present. We drive cars, buy food, fly in airplanes, cross streets, go to work… all with the hope of a specific outcome that we don’t control – wouldn’t life fail without this faith?

Now the lawyer might ask if this evidence is sufficient in profiling the components of faith. Perhaps, but there is still that issue about how circumstances – what we see and feel – cloud our believing forward in faith where we cannot see.

The opposing attorney inquiries about how faith can override the mind from: Questioning whether God really loves us. Doubting God’s forgiveness and amazing grace. Letting feelings of discouragement, discontent, or unhappiness lead actions. Lacking the motivation to engage in spiritual things. Worrying about the future. Wondering if God is really in control.

I rest my case here, how we use our faith is determined by our concept of God. We get lost in wavering faith because we are often more concerned with the outcome of our faith position, when God is more concerned about the journey and the process. It’s through the journey and the process of pain, discomfort, and trial that faith is built and God develops in us what only the journey could. God doesn’t waste our pain or discomfort. Faith is that essential element that brings about the character, integrity, and maturity into our lives that God always intended.

We could submit to the jury some tips on fighting faith fatigue like:

  • Think about what you’re thinking. Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. (Philippians 4:8 TPT)
  • Prayer is a powerful weapon. Ask God for the strength to love yourself, others and Him to your fullest potential.
  • Be helpful, kind, compassionate, empathetic, courteous, and generous to others.
  • Model other faith warriors. Get inspired – change your environment, learn something new, create a vision board, read a new book

However, the only defense that faith has is that it is alive when it defines who we are! If “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see,” then we should take time to be humbled and thankful. In our everyday life, faith finds the small miracles that exist and work in our favor on a constant basis. Faith encourages prayer to be launched anytime from anywhere – big or small, long or short. How we treat our inner voice crystallizes our channels of hope and trust to keep faith burning.

Faith supports us in letting go of the things we can’t control. We try to provide solutions for things for which we have no responsibility. Then we react, which is emotional, instinctual, and not tied to reason – instead of respond, where we tap into our self-awareness and emotional intelligence to consider the long-term effects of what we say or do. It is a damaging detour from divine direction, when we don’t let go and let God!

The judge’s decision: faith is. What do you choose? I choose faith because I know God will do what He says. Each time I depend on faith, more of the road ahead brightens. God only allows things to touch us to develop something in us or to clean something out of us. The hardest part for me is not to focus on the loss, pain, or injustice; they are only distractions masking the root problem(s). The question is, why did the hurt show up in the first place? Getting to the root of struggles is part of the process, where purpose is produced. Which gives us both reasons for putting faith on trial. It’s a win-win, because faith is the only thing between here………and there.

God Never Loses a Case!

4 thoughts on “Faith on Trial”

    1. Essentials For Change

      What a delightful surprise to have your reply. I’m glad that this faith reading
      was good for you. Keep posted and there will be more. Faith is limitless!

  1. Tina Valentinetti

    Faith is huge to clinging on to God in good times n bad times
    Without it we are lost. It’s what’s keep us going n looking forward to better days n better understand of God where we were and where we standing now in life. We look back n can say my faith in God hemp me thru my day.🌹

    1. Essentials For Change

      Hi Tina,
      I love the context that you put faith in…… good times and bad times!
      Thanks for your reply, keep posted for more.

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