One of my favorite verses can be found in 2 Corinthians. “For we live by believing, and not by seeing.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT)
The NKJV of the verse puts it this way, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
As much as I love this uplifting verse, there are some days when I don’t feel like I’m walking by faith at all. Days when I’m searching for the faith I know is real and that I desperately need. When the trials of this world surround me, and I wonder if my meager offering of faith is enough.
So, what can we do when we feel like we’re lacking in our faith?
When things are going well, it’s easier to say “I walk by faith,” but when trials come, my ability to stay faith-filled is tested.
How to Develop Steadfast Faith
God knew we would have times when our faith is weak, and He gave us help in His Word to encourage us when weakness threatens the trust we have in Him.
Men and women throughout Scripture had times when their faith waned. And from their stories, we can find the help we need. Their stories will build our faith as we continue growing in our relationship with God.
3 Words to Boost Our Faith
I recall a time in my life when I didn’t know if my prayers were effective. I was afraid to pray for healing—for myself or others—because I thought if God didn’t answer the way I wanted, then that was somehow a reflection of my level of faith.
But through the challenges of life, I’ve learned to trust God’s sovereignty as I continue to pray. My responsibility is to hold onto Jesus as the anchor for my soul and believe God for the outcome. God is good. God is faithful. And God hears us when we invite him into our pain.
When our faith feels weak and we need encouragement to keep believing, I like to turn to Numbers 14. In this passage, the Israelites were once again complaining and wanting to turn around and return to Egypt. The Lord’s anger rose against them, but Moses intervened.
He reminded himself and the Lord of his promises with these 3 words: For you said…
“Please, Lord, prove that your power is as great as you have claimed. For you said, ‘The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.’ In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.” (Numbers 14:17-19 NLT)
Moses’ declaration helps me remember that even though we all experience times when we don’t see how God could possibly work things out, God’s Word is sure and unchanging.
So today, if your mind is swirling with questioning thoughts like…
I don’t know how anything good can come from this.
How could God allow this to happen?
How are we going to get through this?
Take heart, and remember these 3 words, “For you said.” Then fill in the rest of the sentence with promises from Scripture, like these:
For you said, I am your chosen child.
For you said, you will never leave me.
For you said, you will guide and protect me.
Friend, let’s not believe the lie that says if we are good Christians, we won’t experience days of weak faith. We will, and that’s okay. For it’s in those days we learn to rely on Him more than ever before. Our weakness will remind us to renew our trust in God to be our strength.
God’s Word promises, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I share more about applying the truth of these verses to our moments of doubt in chapter 6 of my book, Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God, including this passage below:
“Even though the Israelites refused to accept the promise God offered, that didn’t stop a faithful few from praying. Aaron and Moses cried out to their Lord what they new to be true… Although it looked as if the plan was delayed, the leaders continued to live as if God wouldn’t fail.” - Cinched book
To find out more about the Cinched book, visit the book page here.
