Faith and Belief

Let’s talk about faith and belief. It’s been a long year from 2018 to 2019 and where life is now for me, but with that journey comes growth, new relationships, and a better understanding of who I am. 

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” 

Hebrews 11:1-2

Just recently there was a sermon where the pastor talked very poignantly on faith and belief, how they are synonymous with our trust in God. At the end of the message I found myself writing down personal questions, questions which challenged my belief, faith, and trust in God. 

Because until recently my life had become a one man rodeo. If anything was going to get done, it was me who was going to do it. Let me spell it out for ya. B a c h e l o r. That spells bachelor. It means there is no one but me to get things done or so I tried. What that doesn’t imply that my relationship is only when deemed necessary. But that’s what had happened. There was a series of events which started the snowball down this path and that was a year ago or so. 

I slowly pushed God out of my decisions, my troubles which I “knew” I could handle, and slowly it became hey we talk in the morning and yeah the music is on during the car rides. But something was missing. My faith and belief. Everything was done alone and by me. From that sermon two weeks ago, there was a podcast Monday this week which drove the point home. My battles have been and were being fought on my own strength or by my will. 

There has been a lot to process this week, lot of slow and steady changes that will be taking place. Slowly, but intentionally asking and inviting God back into areas of my which I pushed him out. It’s a process which can’t and shouldn’t be rushed, we probably would rush the process if we chose to however that’s not really good for us. Enjoy the process and understand that there is good things which come from the process and how it grows/matured us as believers. 

Let me speak to the less seasoned Christians or new believers for a minute. When we turn our lives over to Christ and repent from our former lives, during those first months its imperative to invite God unto every aspect of your life. Thereby submitting to his authority and will for your life, by doing so we partner with God and take on his perspective of how we should make decisions or handle situations, relationships, and everything else in our lives. It’s easy to ask God into our lives, but surrendering and letting him be Lord is a bit more difficult. Give yourself some grace, patience, and find a friend who can help you on this journey. 

Through this time, there has been an awakening in my faith, I’m willing to trust and believe God will help through my situations and struggles. Whereas before my general attitude, “Okay, God I got this one. Or hey, I could use a little help here. Then going back to doing it on my own.” It’s humbling because I cannot do this on my own and I need him with me every step of the way. 

I had lost a lot of faith and belief that God would be there for me, I had forgotten what he had done before. So as you can imagine my trust was gone or almost gone. Completely or very close to being self reliant. So when I quoted Hebrews 11:1-2, it’s to remind us that regardless how bleak our situation or circumstances may look, God is always there with an open hand waiting for us to reach out to him. With a willing and open heart he accepts us back with all our faults. The ancients were men and women of great faith. They held tightly to their faith, so should we.  

In closing, please do not protest any longer and open up yourself to God and let him be welcomed in your life. It’s well worth it. He’s a good and gracious God who loves us very much. May the peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ guide you. 

Take care and God Bless!