Faith

What is faith? 

The dictionary defines faith as a complete trust or confidence in someone or something. In Hebrews 11:1 faith is defined as "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." This confidence comes from God who fulfills his promises; assurance is an active certainty that what God has promised will come to pass despite our not yet seeing it. Faith is acting on what God has revealed about his will and character.

Why is faith Important? 

The most important part of any structure is its foundation. Faith is our firm foundation on which we can stand upon, especially when we're facing trials. Hebrews 11:6 states that "without faith it's impossible to please God." And furthermore states that "Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." 

"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35,36)

Faith in the midst of a storm?

It's easy to have faith when things are good, but when we're in a storm and the boat starts rocking is when we're more likely to be disheartened and lose faith. We go through trials in life to grow, not to keep it to ourselves but to help others grow who may be going through similar situations. 

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."(Romans 5:3,4)

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise."

(Hebrews 10:23) 

"...let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith..."

(Hebrews 12:1,2)

I honestly did not want to post this because there is nothing natural about me sharing my personal life. As athletes we are in a glass bowl where everything we say or do is scrutinized and that causes me to want to embrace my privacy even more. But God doesn't put us through adversity to keep our adversities to ourselves. There is no point in a trial if I am the only one growing from it. Trials go beyond the person facing the storm to the people who may futuristically be encouraged. Ones testimony of endurance can give hope to others and encourage them to persevere through their own storm (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). So I am doing what God calls us to do and sharing. So on my mirror everyday since the season has started are the words in the picture. I look at it every time I'm in the bathroom. Even though my situation hasn't been favorable thus far, I still believe that it can and will happen just as I did at the start of the season, even if it's not necessarily this year. Why? Because I have faith and in Mark 9:23 God states that "everything is possible for one who believes!" I admit, I do have an unusual faith but shouldn't we all reach for greater instead of settling for less? The easy to accomplish everyday feats in which we pretend that reaching them was some small miracle. We're only fooling ourselves into thinking we're doing more than we really should be doing. We were created for greater! Not everything we have faith for will come to pass but it shouldn't break our faith. Why not? Because there is a greater purpose beyond what we can see, think, or hear. More often than not the answer will be no because the very thing we desire so will be the same thing that destroys us. We may not see it now but when we look back later in life we'll be thankful certain things didn't come to pass. Life is one big lesson and we have to be willing to learn what it teaches. I've learned a lot this year and I know there's more to come before this year is over. But I continue to make faith my foundation knowing God has my best interest at heart. I entrust myself and my future to God and enter into his peace which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:6,7) 

To whom it may concern, I pray this post in some way, shape, or form encourages you to endure to the end. Take heart for you're not alone. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27