What is Faith?

…and I don’t want to hear anything that resembles “the substance of things hoped for & the evidence of things not seen.” (lol) Then again, let’s say that Hebrews 11:1 was your initial or automatic response when you read today’s title. What does that mean? Like really? If you had to break it down to the lowest terms, what does that actually mean? I’m asking because I think that sometimes, we turn scriptures into cliches, pass cliches throughout generations (without explanation)….and wonder why we’re quoting God’s word…without reaching our potential in God’s power. So today, I want us all to have a clearer picture of what faith truly is and what it can do. 

I’ve realized that faith is a few things. It has a few attributes. For example, faith is influential. James 2:26 says that faith that isn’t paired with works is dead. Therefore (in my little mind), faith is what pushes us to follow God’s plan. Faith determines what you do, what you say, & what you feed. If you’re hungry, you’re going to find food. If you’re tired or sleepy, you’re going to do what you need to do to go to bed. You’re state of mind influences the actions of your body. Following that same trend, if you’re “working your faith”, you’re doing things that align with whatever God has promised. You’re making room for something. You’re starting (or ending) certain habits. You’re creating the life and atmosphere that coincides with God’s promise. 

     Additionally, faith is a healer. There are multiple times in the Bible that discuss how one’s faith made them well. Faith has raised a paralytic. It’s brought sight to the blind. It’s stopped a blood flow that lasted 12 years right in its tracks. Furthermore, faith is essential. It’s like a magnet for God’s power. Jesus literally felt His power leave Him when the woman who bled for 12 years touched Him in faith that His hem had what she needed. Habbukuk 2:4 says that the just live by faith. It almost makes faith sound like…air. Faith is as important to your Christian journey as the air you’ve been taking in your entire life. It keeps your spirit alive. It’s something that you have to take in & push out regularly (if you don’t put it to work, it’s dead…remember?). Hebrews 11:6 says that it’s impossible to please God without faith. All of the ‘greats’ of the Bible had to display their faith, and withstand it being tested by God in order to see a move of His spirit. Think about it….
     Abraham had to display faith when God told him to sacrifice his promise. Peter’s faith was on display when he walked on water. Joshua needed his faith to lead the children of Israel into destiny. Mary definitely needed faith when God interrupted her life. The Bible is literally full of stories that required people to lean on what we call faith. If they needed it to get through all that they encountered, what makes you think that you can survive this on a quote that few seem to really understand? 
     So at its core, what is faith? Faith is trusting in God, His plan, & His character more than you trust anything else. Romans 4:21 puts it like this: faith is “…being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” You may need a ‘real life’ example. I’ve got you (haha). Let’s use my mom (who’s currently wondering where I’m taking this). If my mom says she’s going to do something, I trust it. My actions, etc. are done depending on whatever it is she said she’d do. I don’t just trust her words because she gave birth to me, but because I’ve seen her fulfill her promises before. I’ve watched her come through on her word in my life & in the lives of others. If I can put that much faith…that much trust & weight on the word of my mama, a woman who’s not perfect, who’s made mistakes, and who is another creation of God, how much more weight & faith can I put on God, the Creator’s word? Exactly. If I’m going to truly have faith in God, I have to trust that He wouldn’t tell me anything (personally, through people, in the Bible, etc.) that He didn’t have power (and a plan) to make my reality. 
     You want to pull forth a new level of power from God? Up your faith. You want miracles? Those require faith. Just about everything you’re trying to get out of God is obtained through faith, so the next question is: how can we increase our faith? Well saints, we’ve got to get closer to Him. You can’t have faith in a God you don’t know. Another tip: read the Bible AND believe that what you’re reading is real. I think that it’s easy to grow comfortable with the Bible. We use it every Sunday, quote it like our favorite movie, and put it down until we need it on Sunday. Or, maybe you don’t put it down! Maybe you read it all day, every day, and never put it down. If so, good for you! Hoooowwwwever, I’m not worried about the words you look at; I’m worried about the words that you take in. If you’re going to truly increase your faith, you’ve got to realllllly believe that the God that you read about in Genesis, etc. is the same God that is in your life today. The same God that parted a sea, walked on water, removed sickness, called dead people out of the grave, and empowered a boy to kill a giant is waiting on you to truly believe that He’s for you, He’s got you, and has enough power & strategy to guarantee your victory & elevation. Then, take that belief & make it the very tone of your prayer. Ooh! Before you go, quick homework assignment: write down some of the things that He’s done in your life. I love writing (clearly lol). Writing down God’s record in our lives sets up constant reminders that He’s not just real; He’s ready. He’s ready to move. He’s ready to shift you. He’s ready to give you abundant life. Your job? Believe (and act like) He that promised it is also able to perform it. That’s what faith is to me. What is it to you? 

Background music: Confidence - Tasha Cobbs & You Are God Alone - William McDowell

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