Overcoming Challenges by Walking in Faith
Life is full of uncertainties and challenges. We often find ourselves in situations where we cannot see the way forward, and we are filled with fear and doubt. In these moments, it is easy to lose hope and give up. However, having a strong belief and a faith-driven mindset can help us overcome these obstacles and continue to move forward. In this article, we will explore the power of faith and how it can help us navigate through life’s challenges.
The Power of Faith
Faith is a strong belief in something or someone, even when there is no tangible evidence to support it. It is a powerful force that can give us the strength and courage to face any situation. When we have faith, we are not limited by what we can see with our natural sight or understand with our natural minds. Instead, we are guided by an inner conviction and trust in the higher power of God, Who is ever-faithful. The Bible says that the good works we do do not earn us anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love” (Galatians 5:6, AMP). So, as we connect with a God Who is Love, and let that love minister to us over time, faith springs forth. We never have to “work up” faith. We connect with the One Who is Love and Who is always faithful and we are empowered to operate out of His faith. Galatians 2:20 (New Revised Standard Version, emphasis added) says “20…and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Notice it is Christ’s faith. When we connect with how utterly loved we are, we are able to rest in the faith of Love, Himself!
A Faith-Driven Mindset
Having a faith-driven mindset means that we approach life with a strong belief in Someone greater than ourselves and in His masterful ability to empower us. It means that we trust in the journey God has us in and have confidence that everything will work out for our good one way or another over the long haul! ONLY God can do this and promises to redeem ALL THINGS (Acts 3:21). This mindset allows us to let go of our fears and doubts and embrace the unknown with courage and determination because of Christ with Whom we are one!
Overcoming Fear and Doubt
Fear and doubt are natural human emotions, and they can hold us back from reaching our full potential. However, when we have a faith-driven mindset, we can overcome these negative emotions and move forward with confidence. We can trust that even when we cannot see the way, there God is THE Higher Power guiding us and leading us in all that concerns us and is walking us towards our purpose. We recognize that the job God gave us is to believe and God’s job is to help us with our job of being able to believe; we do nothing by ourselves (Mark 9:23-24; John 6:28-29; John 15:5)!
Walking by Faith
The phrase “walking by faith” comes from 2 Corinthians 5:7 that says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight”. This means that we should not be limited by what we can see or understand, but instead, we can trust in Someone greater than ourselves and a whole unseen realm of good things we can tap into. Walking by faith requires us to let go of our need for control and surrender to a good God, Who is more powerful and more brilliant than we are and Who adores us. He cares about us profoundly and misses nothing!
Trusting the Journey
When we walk by faith, we trust that the journey we are on is leading us towards the purpose God created us for as we follow Him. We may not always understand why things happen the way they do, but we have faith that everything is happening for a reason or even when it does not make sense, there is meaning because God is there with us always to restore and bring beautiful things out of setbacks and tragedy as only He can. This trust allows us to let go of our need for control and embrace the journey with an open mind and heart.
Embracing the Unknown
Walking by faith also means embracing the unknown. It means being willing to step out of our comfort zone and take risks, even when we cannot see the outcome. This can be scary, but when we know that we are not alone, we can have faith. As God’s beloved sons and daughters, we can trust Him to lovingly and masterfully guide us, leading us towards the destiny He created for us.
The Benefits of Walking by Faith
Walking by faith has many benefits that can help us in our personal and professional lives. Here are some of the ways that having a faith-driven mindset can benefit us:
Increased Resilience
When we practice walking by faith (none of us does this perfectly), we become more resilient. We are able to bounce back from setbacks and challenges because we have a belief that can grow that everything will eventually one way or another work out for our good. We have good reason for this since, even though not everything is good (some things are very VERY evil), God is able to make all things work out for our good as we continue to follow Him (Roman 8:28). How He does this is truly miraculous and mysterious, but He is masterful at this! His love stirs the faith that brings resilience which, in turn, allows us to keep moving forward, even when things get really tough.
Greater Peace of Mind
Having a faith-driven mindset can also bring us greater peace of mind. When we trust in a loving masterful God Who we are one with, we can cast the weight of our cares onto Him. 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP, emphasis added) says “7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” Let this verse minister peace to you.
We do not have to be burdened by fear and doubt. If it is a burden, He wants to do the heavy lifting (Matthew 11:28-29). Fear in all flavors are cast out by His love (1 John 4:17). If it is a doubt He wants to minister His faith and confidence (Galatians 2:20). We can find peace in knowing that we are never alone and God is with us in our trials to carry them with us and to bring us out – UPGRADED. Let Hebrews 13:5b (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) minister to your heart:
“… for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!].” (emphasis added)
Improved Decision Making
Walking by faith can also improve our decision-making skills. When we operate in Christ’s faith, we are guided by inner conviction and trust in a masterful God, Who is Love and has our very best interests at heart. We have access to His mind that knows all things (1 Corinthians 2:16, 1 John 2:20). We, as sons and daughters, are led by Holy Spirit and by peace in our inner beings (Romans 8:14; Colossians 3:15). This allows us to make decisions with confidence and clarity, even when we cannot see everything that is involved and the outcome.
How to Walk by Faith Even When I Cannot See?
How can I walk by faith even when I cannot see? This is a question that many people struggle with, especially in times of uncertainty and difficulty. Faith is a powerful force connecting us to God Who can sustain us through even the darkest of times. But it can be challenging to hold onto when we cannot see the path ahead. In these moments, it is important to remember Who God is, His promises, and the truth that He is guiding us, even if we cannot see where we are going. By leaning on His faithfulness and trusting in Who He is and His plan, we can walk confidently even when the way forward is unclear. It is a test of our belief and trust in God, to continue moving forward with faith even in the face of uncertainty.
Here are some tips to help you walk by faith:
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful tool that can help us cultivate a faith-driven mindset. When we focus on the things we are grateful for, we shift our perspective from what we lack to what we have. And the more we focus on what we have, the more possibilities and provision we can see and utilize. This allows us to trust in the journey and have faith that everything will work out one way or another for our good.
Surround Yourself with Positive Influences
The people we surround ourselves with can have a significant impact on our mindset. To cultivate a faith-driven mindset, it is essential to surround ourselves with positive influences. This can include friends, family, mentors, or even inspirational books, teachings, podcasts, or even blogs (wink, wink)!
Pray To God, Read The Bible, And Worship
Some of the most important practices for Christians is praying to God, reading the Bible, and worship. Prayer is a way for believers to communicate with God, expressing their thoughts, feelings, and desires. It is a way to build intimacy with God and seek guidance, strength, comfort, and healing in times of need. If you need help hearing God’s voice when you pray, I wrote a powerful inexpensive mini-book “How to Hear from God”. You can find it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HFmwJW.
Reading the Bible with a right interpretative lens (hermeneutics) is another crucial aspect of the Christian faith. Scripture can help us gain wisdom and understanding about God, ourselves, what He has done for us, His will, and teachings. Rightly interpreting the Bible, however, is crucial. For more on this go to my 4-part blog series, “How to Handle Scripture Rightly”. You can find Part 1 at: How to handle Scripture rightly, part one.
Another important practice is worshiping God through music, dance, art, or however God leads you. Worshiping God releases His presence, brings peace and healing, and reminds us Who He is and how much greater He is than anything we are facing. It literally shifts the atmosphere!
Remember, all these disciplines are for YOUR needs and growth. They are not to earn brownie points with God. He already values and adores you! But we need these disciplines for us!
Real-Life Examples of Walking by Faith
There are many examples of people who have walked by faith (Christian and non Christian) and achieved many great things. Faith is a dynamic that works no matter who applies it, and we can see how many people outside the Christian community know how to apply faith. Here are just a few:
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul, actress, and philanthropist. She is also a strong believer in the power of faith. Oprah has said, “The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” She has walked by faith throughout her career, trusting in her purpose and using her platform to inspire and empower others.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was known for his strong belief in himself and his vision. He once said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” This quote reflects his faith-driven mindset and his trust in the journey.
J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, faced many rejections before her books were finally published. However, she never gave up on her dream. She once said, “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.” This quote reflects her faith-driven mindset and her determination to keep moving forward, even when she faced challenges.
Strengthening Your Relationship with God
Faith comes from deepening the awareness of your seamless oneness with God. This oneness happened by His choice for you (John 15;16, Ephesians 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:9). And as you choose Him back you experience more intimacy with God and intimacy inspires faith. God is always working to remind you of His constancy and passion for you. He continues in His faithfulness. Experiencing Who He is for you provides and augments His faith of which you partake. You don’t have to work it up. It is provided as one of the many blessings released when you cultivate intimacy with Him.
The Connection Between Faith and the “Fear” of the Lord
Proverbs 9:10 (New American Standard Bible) says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Fear here is not about being afraid of God Who might punish you if you step out of line. Remember God is Love and perfect Love casts out fear (1 John 4:8,16-17). Fear here is a reverence/awe that God is one-zillion watts of pure Love, understanding that our ability to receive it is through the little two-volt fuse of our being. The goodness of His being is overwhelming and can “short us out” so to speak. He is the big “G” God, the Creator and we are little “g” gods in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 82:6, John 10:34-35). We are created beings, not the Creator. Being in awe/reverence of God (the fear of the Lord) causes us to be humble, teachable, and dependent, knowing we are adored and manifesting who we are as God’s kids. As His kids we look just like Him in our flavor: full of faith, full of purpose, and manifesting Love and real eternal “success”. When people are without the awe/reverence of the Lord, we can see examples of numerous successful, wealthy, and influential individuals who are not operating out of reverence for the Lord. With all they do have in “success”, it comes at the cost of dysfunctional families, personal brokenness, bondage, a nagging lack of meaning, and little eternal legacy to pass on in this world. What a waste!
Conclusion
Walking by faith is not always easy, but it is necessary for us to manifest who we really are and fulfill our purpose. By cultivating a faith-driven mindset, we can trust in the journey and have confidence that everything will work out for our good because of God/Love’s limitless goodness and graciousness. So, let us walk by faith, even when we cannot see with our natural eyes, and experience the fullness of where the journey takes us.
