Have you ever been told to walk by faith, not by sight? Most of us have been told this for themselves. And it's a great desire, because the concept comes from the Bible.
The verse is written in 2 Corinthians 5:7, where the Apostle Paul is explaining our temporary home, which he says is the earth and our human body. He's likening it to the promise of eventually dwelling in heaven with the Savior and how great it will be. Paul is saying, "Yes, we know this idea is true but at times it's hard to believe it based on our earthly difficulties and circumstances." But he concludes that we all can walk by faith (what we don't see) instead of by sight (what we do see). We'd all agree that's what we should do. So how does that work?
Let's discuss 3 things that will make this clear for you. Today many people want clarity for their lives. They desire the course God has created for them and also learn how to make a real difference in this life. And others also want to understand how circumstances will turn out.
Also, most people want to find out how our prayers help our difficult situation. So is it possible to know? Should we anticipate to have details to these things since we are told to walk by faith not by sight? Well, that depends. Here are 3 principles which are vital if you're going to follow what the Apostle Paul talked about.
1: Faith needs to rest on God's word
The first step to living by faith is having a belief that a desired outcome will be realized, regardless of what we might be facing presently. By definition, "faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) But what do one put assurance in? Everybody has personal dreams. At times we desire for a thing to take place and then assume it's His will. We place faith in it coming to pass, but are then let down when it doesn't happen.
How can this be avoided? Be sure to make the distinction between something He has promised you versus it being a personal desire. For example, God told Abram to walk away from his long time residence and sojourn to a place that God would later show him. Abram's faith was built upon on what God promised him, not his own whim
It is tough to know the difference between our thoughts and God's thoughts, so it's imperative to first present our plans to Him and seek assurance that God is in favor of our decisions. Faith starts on the foundation of a God idea, not a personal plan. It's sometimes hard to discern, but this is a strength you can develop and you'll get better over time.
2. Faith will surely be tried and will present you with a decision to make
Shortly after you determine your promise, difficulties will question your decision. Paul knew that faith requires a choice to stand strong despite what circumstances may bring. Therefore he discussed in Romans 8:24, "...hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for the thing they already have?" I don't know about you, but I don't take delight in uncertainty. It's hard. It seems like others around us don't face the same challenges. Instead, we often think that our life is more challenging than theirs.
The verse we just read says that it's easy to hope in what you already have, but that doesn't require any faith, does it? Conversely, walking by faith inevitably brings us right into circumstances that challenge our hope because things appear quite the opposite of the end result we wanted. To remember Abram, he believed that God would give him a heir because God had so promised. But, God waited until Abram was so old that he didn't have the ability to father one!
In this dilemma, Abram had a decision. Should he give up walking by faith and instead choose sight, or was he going to believe God to perform His word to him? Regardless of Abram committing some mistakes, much like we do, God's loving kindness ultimately prevailed. Abram believed God and the rest is history. If you are a believer, you are a beneficiary of Abraham's fulfilled promise today. Faith demands hoping in the promise when it's difficult, but hang tight, because it's worth waiting.
3. Faith means trusting God
Perhaps the most difficult part about walking by faith and not sight is that it requires trust. Trust isn't difficult by itself, however it can be extremely hard if you've been let down by other people. Sometimes we anticipate God is similar to others who told us something, yet did something different. We've all encountered it before. Someone we know extends a promise to us and we have no reason to doubt they wouldn't fulfill it. But then they break their promise.
It's not easy when others change their mind and let us down, and this affects our trust over time. If you don't watch out, this can also affect your willingness to trust God. So what can one do about it? We have to repair broken expectations from the past and choose to trust in Christ at all costs. Trusting in God is the only way to live by faith and not by sight. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Living by faith means that we set aside our plans at times and trust in God anyway. This is hard, but it's well worth the chance. If you are facing a situation currently and you can't imagine how it's gonna get resolved, choose to trust in Him the best you can. little bit that you can muster and do incredible things. All you need is faith the amount of a mustard seed.
Summary:
So do you desire to walk by faith not by sight? Give attention to these 3 tips in your present circumstance.
1. Plant your faith on a promise.
2. Anticipate circumstances to challenge your hope, yet decide to have faith anyway.
3. Place your trust in God, not in you.
I know past situations can make this extremely tough, but if you require additional assistance overcoming disappointment you probably want to read this eBook.
No matter what you do, don't stop and keep moving forward. Despite our mistakes (like Abram), He is faithful even when we aren't. (1 Timothy 2:13) Let that be your faith, and especially know that what God's word has promised, He is able to fulfill. That's what he promised Abram, and that's what God has declared to all of us also. You can overcome!
The verse is written in 2 Corinthians 5:7, where the Apostle Paul is explaining our temporary home, which he says is the earth and our human body. He's likening it to the promise of eventually dwelling in heaven with the Savior and how great it will be. Paul is saying, "Yes, we know this idea is true but at times it's hard to believe it based on our earthly difficulties and circumstances." But he concludes that we all can walk by faith (what we don't see) instead of by sight (what we do see). We'd all agree that's what we should do. So how does that work?
Let's discuss 3 things that will make this clear for you. Today many people want clarity for their lives. They desire the course God has created for them and also learn how to make a real difference in this life. And others also want to understand how circumstances will turn out.
Also, most people want to find out how our prayers help our difficult situation. So is it possible to know? Should we anticipate to have details to these things since we are told to walk by faith not by sight? Well, that depends. Here are 3 principles which are vital if you're going to follow what the Apostle Paul talked about.
1: Faith needs to rest on God's word
The first step to living by faith is having a belief that a desired outcome will be realized, regardless of what we might be facing presently. By definition, "faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) But what do one put assurance in? Everybody has personal dreams. At times we desire for a thing to take place and then assume it's His will. We place faith in it coming to pass, but are then let down when it doesn't happen.
How can this be avoided? Be sure to make the distinction between something He has promised you versus it being a personal desire. For example, God told Abram to walk away from his long time residence and sojourn to a place that God would later show him. Abram's faith was built upon on what God promised him, not his own whim
It is tough to know the difference between our thoughts and God's thoughts, so it's imperative to first present our plans to Him and seek assurance that God is in favor of our decisions. Faith starts on the foundation of a God idea, not a personal plan. It's sometimes hard to discern, but this is a strength you can develop and you'll get better over time.
2. Faith will surely be tried and will present you with a decision to make
Shortly after you determine your promise, difficulties will question your decision. Paul knew that faith requires a choice to stand strong despite what circumstances may bring. Therefore he discussed in Romans 8:24, "...hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for the thing they already have?" I don't know about you, but I don't take delight in uncertainty. It's hard. It seems like others around us don't face the same challenges. Instead, we often think that our life is more challenging than theirs.
The verse we just read says that it's easy to hope in what you already have, but that doesn't require any faith, does it? Conversely, walking by faith inevitably brings us right into circumstances that challenge our hope because things appear quite the opposite of the end result we wanted. To remember Abram, he believed that God would give him a heir because God had so promised. But, God waited until Abram was so old that he didn't have the ability to father one!
In this dilemma, Abram had a decision. Should he give up walking by faith and instead choose sight, or was he going to believe God to perform His word to him? Regardless of Abram committing some mistakes, much like we do, God's loving kindness ultimately prevailed. Abram believed God and the rest is history. If you are a believer, you are a beneficiary of Abraham's fulfilled promise today. Faith demands hoping in the promise when it's difficult, but hang tight, because it's worth waiting.
3. Faith means trusting God
Perhaps the most difficult part about walking by faith and not sight is that it requires trust. Trust isn't difficult by itself, however it can be extremely hard if you've been let down by other people. Sometimes we anticipate God is similar to others who told us something, yet did something different. We've all encountered it before. Someone we know extends a promise to us and we have no reason to doubt they wouldn't fulfill it. But then they break their promise.
It's not easy when others change their mind and let us down, and this affects our trust over time. If you don't watch out, this can also affect your willingness to trust God. So what can one do about it? We have to repair broken expectations from the past and choose to trust in Christ at all costs. Trusting in God is the only way to live by faith and not by sight. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Living by faith means that we set aside our plans at times and trust in God anyway. This is hard, but it's well worth the chance. If you are facing a situation currently and you can't imagine how it's gonna get resolved, choose to trust in Him the best you can. little bit that you can muster and do incredible things. All you need is faith the amount of a mustard seed.
Summary:
So do you desire to walk by faith not by sight? Give attention to these 3 tips in your present circumstance.
1. Plant your faith on a promise.
2. Anticipate circumstances to challenge your hope, yet decide to have faith anyway.
3. Place your trust in God, not in you.
I know past situations can make this extremely tough, but if you require additional assistance overcoming disappointment you probably want to read this eBook.
No matter what you do, don't stop and keep moving forward. Despite our mistakes (like Abram), He is faithful even when we aren't. (1 Timothy 2:13) Let that be your faith, and especially know that what God's word has promised, He is able to fulfill. That's what he promised Abram, and that's what God has declared to all of us also. You can overcome!
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