We are always told to have faith and to trust in God. But what does that mean and how does having faith in God work? It’s natural to ask, why me? Why now? Learn how to put your faith to work by trusting in God.
Having Faith in God – What Does That Mean?
During my college years, I struggled to know the Lord closely. I grew up in a Christian home. Going to church on Sundays was a must, and every day there was this pressure to tell people about Jesus. As a teenager, I was shy and introverted. Now, as an adult, I am completely the opposite of who I was growing up. It’s funny how much we change as we grow older.
At dinner, my dad would ask my siblings and I how many people we told about Jesus that day. In return, he would reward us with an ice cream cone or a lollipop if we met the goal of telling one person. This pressure gave me such anxiety that I would often lie to get him off my back. I understand it wasn’t the ideal move, but from my little girl’s perspective, it was a win/win. I began to think that in order to have a personal relationship with Christ; I needed to tell others about Him. It was like I needed to trade one for the other.
Navigating through college was difficult. While I was still shy, I sensed that I was on the cusp of transitioning into my extroverted self. On one hand, I was overwhelmed with trying to figure out who I was, and on the other, caught up in defining what faith meant to me. My time in college was never a struggle to learn the lessons taught by my professors. But rather, learning what it looked like to have genuine faith in God and not having to make a deal to have a purpose found in Him.
Faith in God brings stability
Satan quickly recognized this season I was walking through and every day he would show up, handing me bite-sized pieces of his best work. After each tantalizing bite, he welcomed me to eat off his finest plate filled with large helpings of confusion, self-doubt, and worry that I was not good enough for nursing school. The enemy laid it all out on the table. A magnificent feast for one.
In my mind, I kept hearing this Bible verse: “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20-21. This was me. The person with little faith. Jesus met me where I was and knew I only had the tiniest bit of certainty to give. After hearing this scripture on repeat, I knew I needed help. So, I called upon the Lord.
I found myself sitting in prayer daily, only to be continually invited into Satan’s schemes. It was a struggle. The noise finally stopped as I spoke the name of Jesus over my life. This is when I decided I was going to surrender to God and not to Satan. Putting my foot down, I made up my mind to no longer be a pawn in a game of keep-away. I was a child of God, not a toy to be used by Satan.
Faith in God gives us strength
I graduated college in tears not because I was about to embark on a new career path, but because in those four years, Jesus changed me. He gave me a new life and a new nature. During that period, Satan grasped the significance of those occurrences and realized he had to move fast to win me over. Despite his best efforts, I sought the Lord, and the Lord answered me.
God took what little faith I had and strengthened it to be more. In His perfect timing, He had brought me to a place where I never thought I would find myself–restored and filled with passion to know Him more.
Faith allows us to trust God
Having faith in God recognizes we are imperfect beings in need of a savior. It’s entrusting God with all and not just some of our concerns. He is not only our heavenly Father, but He is our friend. He wants what is best for us. The enemy wants quite the opposite. Satan wants to pull us away from having a relationship with the one who will give us purpose.
According to the Bible, faith is described as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” Hebrews 11:1. It isn’t an agreement, deal, or trade we have to make. It is having hope. Searching and striving for ideals, happiness, and worth on Earth will continuously leave us trying to fill a void. Hope in Christ will fulfill our needs.
Seeking Bible Encouragement
When we seek to find encouragement from the Bible, most of us look for stories and scriptures to uplift or encourage us. We want to know what Jesus would do and how He will help us. We first turn our attention to the New Testament because this is the time in which His ministry occurred. Most overlook one of the greatest books of the Bible, the Psalms.
In the Psalms, we find people expressing praises, worshiping, and confessing their deepest confessions to God. With one hundred and fifty chapters, it has the most chapters of any book of the Bible. Its writings span over several centuries and include many authors. Moses was the earliest of writers and David was one of the last.
This book holds no clichés. It is real; it is raw, and it is from the heart of man. In this book, we find the writers Praising God, Worshiping Him, and confessing their hearts. It is an excellent starting point, as it addresses the doubts and fears that we commonly experience today.
Here are Psalms to read:
- When you feel discouraged and helpless – Psalm 121
- When you feel empty, dry, or deserted – Psalm 61
- When you feel God has forgotten you – Psalm 13
- When you feel like you need God’s protection – Psalm 91
Let’s Pray Together
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for being present in our lives even when we are struggling. Though we don’t always understand the plan you’ve laid out for us, help us to look to you first. Please provide us with your strength to move forward confidently and to walk your path without stumbling. Allow us to be examples of your faith to others.
In this, I ask in your precious name, Jesus. Amen!
Read More on Jen Schreiner
- How to Move Forward When You Feel Stuck
- Recognizing Our True Enemy: A Call to Focus on Faith
- The Power of Godly Friendships – 5 Key Qualities
- Why Isn’t God Answering My Prayers
- 5 Astonishing Facts About God
Thanks for your story.