What is faith? I know, you will quote Hebrews 11:1 … “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Without a doubt, that is the best definition of faith we could find, because this definition is given to us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We know this is the definition of faith, but my question for you to consider today is, what does faith look like walking around in my shoes? In other words, how does Bible faith show up in the way I live my life today?
James has already talked about having joy in the middle of troubles. He then told us that if we will do this, God will develop godly patience in us. He then encouraged those lacking the ability to have this joy, to ask God for wisdom to go through the trials with that joy. James did not leave us wondering how all this works, so he drops an incredible challenge. This challenge is the key to being able to live this truth out practically. James wrote, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering: For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:6).
The key to facing trials with joy, and developing godly patience from that experience, requires F-A-I-T-H. The ability to face an obstacle with no apparent way around, or out, and to trust God is the key to this whole thing. Our natural human tendency is that we want to see all the answers along with the questions of life. We want to live a “multiple-choice” kind of life, with the correct answer somewhere within the trials we face. We all have the desire to pull back the curtain behind this trial we are facing and see the answer just on the other side. God, in His great wisdom and love for us, does not work His plan out in our life this way. He places circumstances and situations in front of us on a regular basis that require His help. He does this, because He originally made us to need Him. Because of sin, we have developed a sinful desire to live our lives without His help … within our own strength and abilities. This is sin. This is a sinful way to think. God realized that the best way to keep His children close to Him, is to allow trials to come, to pull us back to Him. The next time a challenge comes your way, don’t complain. Ask God for the faith it requires to trust Him through the process. Faith is stepping out where there is no solid footing, but there is a promise from God. While I might want multiple-choices to come with the trials of life, I realize that it is God (in His wisdom) not revealing the answer until I have demonstrated faith in Him and His plan. Trust God today with the things that come your way and enjoy the blessing of Him proving Himself to you!