A Letter Of Encouragement For Your Faith

Faith is hard to write about. It’s difficult to articulate something that is, by definition, invisible and yet incredibly tangible to our souls. I could list verses about why we have faith, where it comes from and the importance of perseverance in faith. 

I could remind you that your faith only needs to be the size of a mustard seed to accomplish great, incredible things in the name of God. I could introduce you to countless Biblical examples of gritty faith that would inspire and encourage you on your worst day. I could link you to impressive testimonies and peer-reviewed articles that prove science and the gospel can coexist with believable tension. I could share parts of my story that would remind you that God can pursue us relentlessly. 

I could do all of this, but if I’m being completely honest, I’d also have to tell you that don’t know anyone that has cultivated a real, rooted, and battle-ready faith in Jesus by those things alone. 

I wish that faith was that easy. I wish it was as simple as hearing testimonies and praying recited prayers for all of the pain and brokenness and suffering in this world to make sense. But real, life-sustaining faith requires so much more of us than what we are often comfortable giving. 

Faith requires that our pain, our trust and the limit of our human capabilities, be placed in the care of a nurturing, but invisible God. Faith requires discipline, tenacity and surrender.

Hear me when I say this: It is okay if your bomb-proof faith takes a while to cultivate.

What kind of disciplines does faith require? 

In its connotation, faith doesn’t seem to require anything of us other than belief. But when hope is in short supply, faith can be hard to rely on. So, we must go back to scripture and choose to believe, that despite our own fear and circumstantial doubts, God’s word is true and inerrant. 

Now, do not mistake my suggestion for blind, believe-it-at-first-sight faith. I will always encourage you to be a life-long investigator of scripture, apologetics and theology! Nevertheless the crux of faith will require each of us at some point to make a decision as to whether or not what we believe is true.

Going back and planting our feet in the truth of God’s promises will always be a strong way to armor-up our faith when it feels a bit shaken. 

Promises like: 

• Scripture is God-breathed: 2 Timothy 3:16
• The words of the Lord are perfect: Psalm 12:6
• If we search for God, we will find Him: Deuteronomy 4:29
• God’s love will never fail us: 1 Chronicles 16:34
• God will provide us comfort in affliction: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
• We have eternal life when we follow Jesus: John 4:14
• He will be with us always through the Holy Spirit: John 14:16

Discipline and spiritual deepening happens when we revisit these truths over and over again. As we practice these rhythms our faith will grow, and when we our minds our burdened, when we walk through seasons of great need our hearts will whisper these truths back to us.  

Steps of Faith: Lord, you knew that faith would sometimes be a challenge for us. In moments of challenged faith, will you guide us back to you? Will you help our hearts remain soft and steadfast, always looking for you and seeking your Spirit? Lord, give us strength for this season and this day. Amen.