I believe it’s necessary to share a real and religious story that I recently witnessed, which provided me with a fresh perspective on faith. This journey gave me an understanding of how faith could help or hinder one throughout his or her life journey as a Christian, as well as made me closer to God. Thus, take a cup of coffee, get comfortable in your chair, and let’s proceed with this process.
A Moment of Doubt
All that transpired was that one evening, we were starting a fresh Tuesday. I was in my bedroom, and I did not feel very good, to tell the truth. It seemed that school was difficult, my relationships were not very stable, and in general, I was stressed out. Occasionally, I had doubts about whether God was really there and whether he was listening to what I was saying. The defining question that came into my mind was, “What is faith actually?”
What I understood about faith as a child came from what I heard in church. People define faith as having unwavering trust in God and dedicating everything to him, even when it’s not readily apparent. However, at that moment, I got the impression that he was only saying such things as phrases, as empty rhetoric. I wanted to have something tangible, something I could grab and hug.
Taking a walk helps me clear my mind.
Sometimes it is important to clear one’s mind; hence, I walked out of the house. I have a small park in my neighborhood that I can easily access and enjoy. It is calm and has trees; this is a good place for thinking. I started walking, and as I did so, I spoke to God. These were not formal prayers, but rather conversations with someone I cared about. I complained to Him about what I was going through, my lack of faith, and my confusion about it.
Soon I grew tired of walking and looked desperately around. When I found a bench, I sat down, closed my eyes, and prayed for a sign of someone who is alive and can see me. Within several minutes, the influence of the classic started to transform me internally, and I began to feel a warm hug enveloping me. Neither did I hear any voices nor did I see any visions, but I got a very calm feeling.
Turning to the Bible
Afterwards, I felt slightly better, so after getting home, I opened the Bible. I wanted to learn more about faith according to God’s word. I opened my Bible and found Hebrews 11: According to the first chapter, verse 1, it says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This blessed me. Faith is one in which the person is bold and has full confidence in the actions that he or she has taken without having to wait to see the results.
I continued reading and came across people with fantastic faith. One such individual was Abraham, who seemingly abandoned everything he knew simply because God commanded him to proceed. Moses knew his people suffered in Africa, but he encouraged them to follow him through the sea, believing surely the sea was big enough to drown all the Egyptians. Finally, we tell the story of Noah, whose ark remained in the middle of the desert due to God’s prophecy of a coming flood. These stories were fantastic to read, but at the same time, they raised the question, “Could I ever have faith like that?”?
This is why the simple act of faith is the most powerful weapon in the face of doubt.
Professionally, the next day I decided to be very subtle and perform a little act of faith. My words to God were simple: ‘Oh God, today I need to trust You; teach me the lessons You want me to learn.’ It was a simple prayer, not too flamboyant. On that particular day, I took my time to observe minor aspects of my environment; I saw how a friend cracked a joke to come and check on me; I saw the kind words a teacher said to me; and I saw the painting-like sunset that God had created just for me.
These little instances made me feel as if God was trying to reassure me that He is present and that He is concerned about me. It seemed as though God was attempting to convey to me that faith isn’t solely about conquering obstacles. Often, it’s a matter of watching His presence in the circumstances of the living.
Trusting through Challenges
Approximately a month or two later, I encountered the next major issue. I had a big social assessment test the next day, and I was stressed. Despite my best efforts to study, my nervousness persisted. I thought back to my park stroll and the lessons I had learned from the Bible. I prayed again, letting God know that I was in severe distress, and pleading with Him to give me trust in Him and calmness.
Interestingly, on the day of the exam, I did not have any anxiety, as many students normally experience. I entered the class very confidently, not only in my academics but in everything that has to do with my life and destiny according to God’s will. I sat for the exam, and although I could not answer all the questions, I dried tears and felt so calm knowing that I did my best and that, with God on my side, I could make it.
The results of the tests were quite beneficial for me, and I was thrilled when I heard back. Although I still did not get a perfect score, it was better than what I had expected I would get. It struck me that trusting God does not mean life will always be easy, light, problem-free, and free of difficulties. It was one of those little taglines that said, Come what may, I shall not be alone.
Learning from Jesus
Something important that I learned regarding faith is that for Jesus, the pioneers didn’t teach him how to sail. In the Gospels, especially Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, it shows us how Jesus had a complete trust in God. Even when He faced difficult times, like when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion, He said, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:2). Different types of fats are consumed in the diet, such that 42 percent of the fat intake is from monounsaturated fats. Jesus demonstrated that authentic faith entails relying on the Lord’s purpose, which will work out as intended.
I also learned that faith is not just in the heart, but also in deeds. Christ Jesus didn’t preach love and compassion; he embodied affection and compassion. He used to touch every sickness and disease, feed the hungry, and spend most of his time with the despised. This affirmation was seen in His actions because it depicted His faith in the love and purpose that God has for people.
Growing in faith
This I knew as I traveled: faith, like muscles, has to be exercised. It becomes stronger the more frequently it is employed. I started incorporating small steps of faith into my daily life, which included praying, reading the Bible, and applying Jesus’ teachings. I also began to discuss some of the episodes with friends and relatives, and that is how I began to realize how faith can help empower people.
This, however, helped me understand that faith is not only about believing in God; it is a foundation that is built over time. However, it is oriented towards the ability to provide for a man, to give him life, and to entrust it to him even when some aspects of life seem to be obscured. It is all about recognizing His presence in the minor details of life and the big issues that one is facing. It is a clear call to action and an outworking of that love in everyday life.
Life’s faith isn’t simple, and often people will feel some form of doubt creeping into their lives. But that’s okay. It is a process, and therefore, it is just part of it. The important thing is that we keep praying, seeking His response, and seeking His hand in our lives. Faith is an organized relationship and experience with God, which is also conceptualized as a journey and adventure.
Therefore, whenever you question what it is to have faith, it is about trust, action, and recognizing God within the normal course of life. And if you ever need a companion to discuss your experience with God, I am here. Jointly, let us grow our faith!
