What is Faith?

Why is faith important?

What does it take to have real faith?

Sometimes there are events that happen in our lives or in the life of someone we love that can take a little chunk out of our faith, or even wipe it clean. So what is faith and why does it waver so much?

To me, faith is believing that God wants what's best for my life. Faith is also knowing that nothing happens without God knowing. When you have a strong faith, you are committed to doing whatever God wants you to do because you believe so strongly that his will is perfect and that in the end, will be the best life for you.

So what does the Bible say about faith?

The book of Hebrews, ch 11, says that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. What is that in English? Faith is the confidence that God is who He says he is and that He will do all that he has promised to do.

Let's say you invited a friend over to dinner. If they do not respond right away, do you have faith that they will come over? You may be hopeful, but you cannot have faith that they will without an affirmative response. The Bible offers us the bridge between wishful thinking and authentic faith.

Noah spent 140 years building an ark because God promised it was going to rain, Abraham left his home and without a destination in mind because God promised to lead him to a new home. Gideon charged into an enemy camp totally outnumbered because God promised him victory. Joshua marched around Jericho until the walls fell down because God promised success.

I believe what makes faith a reality is our perspective. We all have different issues. Most of us have control issues. We do not like to give up control of our lives. We keep praying and acting like God is the genie in a bottle that gives us unlimited wishes. But authentic faith requires us to want only what He wants. As long as we are trying to get something from God, We find it very difficult to surrender our lives to God. 

Oprah and Ellen are telling us to believe in ourselves. To trust our hearts and don’t worry about what anyone else says. This view is very common across our world today and has been widely accepted as truth. But the Bible says differently. In fact, the Bible warns very strongly about where not to place our trust. In Proverbs, it says, He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. Proverbs also says to trust in the Lord with all your heart and in all your ways acknowledge him.

We all need to make the decision for ourselves. Are you going to trust Him?