Jesus Helps My Faith!

​Faith can only come from a new heart, regenerated by God; consequently, faith is a gift from God. It is the unique way that God uses to bring salvation to his people. We strengthen our faith by reading the Bible and hearing the gospel. The more we immerse ourselves in truth, the more our confidence grows. Everyone who is saved has been gifted faith. It is the ability to believe God is who He says He is, trusting Him in all things for all things. Faith also helps to combat unbelief and motivates us to do what God desires us to do. Not only do we grow our faith by reading Scripture and praying in our own time, but also by hearing the message in church with other believers.

Sometimes God does test our faith, just as He tested the faith of the ancient Israelites by allowing them to go through challenging times in the wilderness, “in order to know what was in your heart” (Deuteronomy 8:2).

Remember: If our faith is weak, it may not be obvious when life is going smoothly, and we are not challenged in any way. But when demanding times come, a weak faith will be revealed for what it really is: shallow and unable to help us through life’s difficulties. It may be anything: an unexpected illness, the death of a loved one, the loss of our job, or even a friend who turns against us. But when tough times happen, the true nature of our faith will be revealed.

But God does not test us because He does not know how strong we are. Instead, He tests us because we do not know how strong we are — and we will only realize it when times of testing come. The psalmist prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts” (Psalm 139:23).

None of us likes to go through tough times (and God is not necessarily behind them, even if He does allow them). But God can use them to show us our weaknesses. And when that happens, we need to ask God to help our faith grow. Testing should make us spiritually stronger — and it will as we turn it over to God. The Bible says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials … so that you may be mature and complete” (James 1:2, 4).

Living in faith and not by sight means that you are willing to go into the unknown. It is trusting God even though you do not know where He is leading you or what the outcome will be. All I do know is that God is working, and I am waiting patiently to see what is going to happen. It is not easy, and it is not fun, but I know that He is in control, and that is where I find my peace.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV).

Make Every Day Count!

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