Faith

Each day brings something unique to us. Sometimes a day goes according to plan, progress is made, and all goes well. Other times, things go bad quickly and the momentum of that energy may cause things to continue in getting worse. If we don’t have a firm establishment and a sense of security created by faith, then emotions can easily get out of control and cause us to make irrational decisions due to insecurity.

Faith is what allows us to handle stress and allows us to trust in the results of the bigger picture rather than focus on the present circumstances. Faith enables us to see difficult times as temporary trials that can be used to strengthen our character and patience. With faith, we are able to get through thick and thin without becoming worn out and exhausted from anxiety and constantly asking ourselves “what-if” questions.

God knows our hearts and our needs. We can’t control our circumstance but we can choose how we view them.

Philippians 4:6-8 NLT says “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Those are powerful and encouraging verses for us to live by.

Do we really believe what we believe? When I was younger, I would casually agree and say that I knew God, believed in Heaven, and new I was a Christian. However, it was more of a safety net for me; something that made me feel safe. My lifestyle didn’t reflect the actions of being a diligent, consistent Christian. If I truly believed in God, then I would have trusted Him and would have lived with integrity during the good times and the hard times.

Faith should encompass a lifestyle that is consistent through the thick and thin. If we believe in God, then we had better follow the requirements of the lifestyle - both when it’s easy and hard to do so. If we run away during the hard times, we lose the opportunity to become better and grow. Life brings us tests of faith. Each times we pass, we gain something more – confidence, patience, peace, happiness, friendships, love, or any other countless gifts made available to us. Without faith, we are left with inconsistency, fleeting pleasures, and ultimately nothing.

It’s not worth worrying about what people are going to think about you – everyone will have differing opinions. At the end of the day, what you choose to do will bring the most satisfaction if it’s in accordance with integrity. Public approval is flimsy and volatile. Set your mind upon higher things and the priorities of your mind will follow and get less caught up in the distractions and negativity brought in every day.

For further related reading, please check out: Committed.