faith – Practical Insights, by Dr. Annette

How to Recognize and Defuse Anxiety…

Anxiety seems to be a word used often in the day and time we live in. So often now people say, ‘my anxiety.’ But we need to be empowered to reverse the anxiety so that it doesn’t just become who we are for the rest of our lives. What was once just passed over is now understood by its symptoms and that is important. People have anxiety for all kinds of reasons but there is help and hope for those who suffer with it.

First, what is anxiety? “Intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Fast heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, and feeling tired may occur.” Quote Mayo Clinic These are just some of the symptoms.

‘There is a normal anxiety that most people get before public speaking or taking a test.’ “Anxiety is only an indicator of underlying disease when feelings become excessive, all consuming, and interfere with daily living.” Quote Mayo Clinic I recommend if you are suffering with excessive and all-consuming anxiety it is time to seek professional help. You are valuable to God there is no shame in getting professional help.

Since an anxious mind is a fearful mind, we can look at it with the understanding that fear is at the root cause of anxiousness. When we allow our mind to stay fixed and focused on the situations of what ‘could be or won’t be’ it can become all consuming. This blog post is meant to help you recognize your thoughts and symptoms. And teach you how to change your thoughts so that you stop the worry and fear before it overcomes you. Fear is sneaky it waits and pounces when we least expect it. “Fear is an unpleasant feeling triggered by the perception of danger, real or imagined.” Anxiety and fear have the fight or flight response. When in real danger fleeing is recommended. Our feeling of situations can distort our thinking and responses. That is why healthy self-talk can figure out if it is real or imagined.

The bible speaks a lot about fear and anxious thoughts. So from the word of God we can learn how to recognize, replace and overcome anxious thoughts. There are also healthy tools to help us to calm our emotions when anxious.

These two scriptures I speak to calm my mind when anxiety has tried to take over. Isaiah 26:3 NKJ “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Keeping our eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfector of our faith is essential to keeping a calm mind. This means we rely and depend on Christ sacrifice to provide us with the peace He gave us. When we trust God to watch over us we can keep our focus on Him and not on what we think will happen. Assuming what will happen is just an assumption it is not a fact.

Philippians 4:6-8 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.” Meditate equals think on these things.

I love this scripture because it reminds us to think on things that are good, and of a good report when the anxious negative thoughts abound, refuse them in Jesus’ name and replace them with the word of God and anything good, pure, and lovely. We can choose our thoughts!

Deep breathing slowly in and out slowly helps to release the toxins of stress, anxiety and fear which can make our bodies sore and tired. Understanding and recognizing the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and fear you experience helps to control your thoughts and emotions. Being aware of these helps to calm ourselves down quicker. Dr. Daniel G. Amen wrote in is book ‘Healing Anxiety and Depression’ “Whenever you feel anxious, mad, or tense, take a deep breath, hold it for four to five seconds, then slowly blow it out (take about six to eight seconds to blow out).” He says, “do this about ten times.” I find this helpful for me when I am also frustrated over a situation it helps calm me down and refocus my thoughts.

Dr. Carolyn Leaf in her book ‘Who Switched off my Brain’ said “A thought may seem harmless, but if it becomes toxic, even just a thought can become physically, emotionally, or spiritually dangerous. Thoughts are measurable and occupy mental ‘real estate.’ Thoughts are active; they grow and change. Thoughts influence every decision, word, actions and physical reaction we make.” You can refuse negative, unhealthy thoughts sometimes we have to say No I’m not thinking that!

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

This scripture shows that we can take authority in Christ over our thoughts. Truly the battle is won or lost in our minds. We have the choice to think what we want don’t accept every thought that comes to your mind. Strongholds are built in our mind one thought (unchecked) at a time. Be aware of what you are thinking do not give the anxious negative thoughts free rein in your mind because it will build a stronghold in the mind.

Stronghold thinking patterns can produce stress, fear and anxiety also. Once again if you have excessive and all consuming anxiety, it is time to seek professional help. You are valuable to God there is no shame in getting professional help.

Some proactive steps to take: Exercise is a helpful tool to reduce stress, and it is healthy for us along with eating healthy foods. Processed foods poison our bodies system so when you can avoid processed foods. We use Juice Plus and vitamins to help our body’s immune system. Drink water it’s not my favorite but it is essential for our bodies. Finding time to get alone with God and pray and meditate on the word will also help reduce stress, anxiety etc.

I thank God that He is with us and has given us everything we need for life and godliness. Jesus’ sacrifice paid the price for our salvation and in that is healing, deliverance, joy and peace.

How to know if you are walking in the Spirit Part 4

Patience

The way to know whether you or someone else is walking in the Spirit is by the fruit it produces. This week we are looking at the fruit and word ‘patience.’ This word is found in Galatians 5:22-23 “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23) gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” It is interesting to me that this is mentioned in the bible in many different passages, and with the use of another word such as ‘waiting on God.’

Waiting on God takes patience, I have heard it said don’t ask for patience because then you’ll have to go through trails. That is not what the word says. It tells us that we must add to our faith and that as we have patience we will become mature. If we have no trials, how do you know if we are growing in patience?

James 1: 2-4 “Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

What does the word patience mean? It means “The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.” Cambridge Dictionary “The ability to wait or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed.”

Well now that we know exactly what patience looks like, how do we apply patience in situations? I personally think we need to step back in our thinking when a situation is out of our control and speak truths to yourself. I speak the word of God to myself to remind myself God is in control. My trust is not in the situation it is in Almighty God who works on my behalf. I trust my life to my Lord and Savior. It is important to step back emotionally so that we can hear clearly and make wise decisions. I do this by speaking truths to myself concerning whatever situation it is.

On Thursday, a friend and I were in a car accident. I was not driving she was cut off in the roundabout and had to apply her breaks it was icy and the person behind us could not stop. This young girl was shaken as we too, but we were gracious and patient with her. Being older and having experienced an accident before we managed to bring comfort with our words and actions. We had to wait for the police and wait through insurance calls. With all of that going on it was important for us to have patience. Being calm in stressful situations brings peace to the situation.

My friend’s car unfortunately was damaged and now she will have to wait for it to be repaired. I was looking sideways talking to her when we were cut off and then hit so I have a mild whiplash, so I have a waiting also as I heal. All of that is just one experience of patience in action.

As we go through life, we all have different opportunities to develop and walk out patience. If you struggle with patience know that when you are His child, He is always working on conforming you into Christlikeness and we know Jesus walked in patience. Jesus endured opposition, difficulties and pressure on all sides such as family, religious and cultural pressure. Plus, He was tortured, spit upon and carried the sins of the world without complaint. The Bible says He was tempted in all areas but sinned not.

Since patience is a part of the fruit of the Spirit you will know then by that fruit if you are walking and being led by the Spirit. This aspect is a practical way in understanding the importance of our actions, attitudes and words. What we do and say truly does affect those around us and this is a byproduct of either our flesh or the Spirit.

Three steps to walking in God’s Power and Might?

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

What does that mean? How are we to be strong in His power and might?

What does the words might and power mean?

Vine’s expository Dictionary Dunamis: power, used relatively, denotes inherent ability, capability, ability to perform anything. Note: Dunamis, power is to be distinguished from exousia, the right to exercise power.” Eph 6:10 “Ischus “denotes might, strength, power inherent and in action as used of God”

Power: “Kratos is translated ‘power’ strength”

2 Chronicles 20:6 and said: “LORD, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.”

Jeremiah 16:21 NLT “Therefore I will teach them— this time I will teach them my power and might. Then they will know that my name is the LORD.”

Since it is his strength and might, what are the ways we apply his strength and might in our lives?

First by faith which means trusting God in every situation. This would enable us to lean on his strength and might. So often we brush past this verse and jump straight into what we are supposed to put on but without faith in God how would you be able to put on that armor and withstand. We are strong in Him not us.

Exodus 14:14 “The lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

We must remember in Colossians 2:15 “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Therefore, trusting God’s power and might we are subsequently enabled to overcome.

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” V6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and salvation; whom shall, I fear? There is a song I don’t remember the name, but it states, “the things I’m afraid of are afraid of you” It’s true that the things we fear, God does not fear and are afraid of him.

Secondly by surrendering or yielding to God’s leading and ways. True surrender will lead to perfect obedience. One of the sure-fire ways of losing your favor is in our attitudes and actions. Moses is an example for us his anger got in his way of going into the promise land, we cannot think we are exempt from the consequences of our attitudes or anger getting in the way of blocking our promise either. I think of it as a detour when our attitudes are grumping, snotty, snobbish, or angry, distant etc. Attitudes affect other people and God cares about people. We must repent for our attitudes, anger and actions.

Colossians 1:10-11 “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy;” This scripture shows us we can be fruitful when we are fully pleasing Him in our walk. We are to walk in the spirit not the flesh.

Thirdly by obedience: There are blessings in walking in obedience. God honors what we do unto Him and through him. When He calls it, he performs it. God honors his word. That you can trust.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Blessings of obedience Deuteronomy 7:12-26; Deuteronomy 8:1-18 Although we live in the New Testament all the promises of God are yes and amen in Christ Jesus.

The Prophet Samuel told King Saul ‘It is better to obey than sacrifice’ that sacrifice represents doing things your own way.

Jesus said in the book of Mark 12:29 “The first of all the commandments is: Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself there is no other commandment greater than these.”

This is the type of obedience we are to walk in this love produces fruit, because we are walking in the Spirit.

“Our God is a Mighty God ~ His power and greatness are far beyond our comprehension. He alone is worthy to be praised and adored, and we can always trust Him! Our God is all Powerful. God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. Our God is mighty to save. His hand is never too short, and nothing is too difficult for Him.” Microsoft search

Gods power is Omnipotence which means the quality of having unlimited power. Omnipotence means God is all powerful. This means God has supreme power and has no limitations.

Omniscience means God is all knowing. This means God knows everything, including the past and future. Omnipresence means God is everywhere at all times.

When we trust God and yield to His way through obedience to what He commands you will walk in His power and might. Because He will enable you to do what He calls you to do. Trust, yield and obey…

Three things to know about Hope…

What is hope? How does having hope help us? What is your hope in? First what is hope according to the dictionary, “it is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” “A feeling of trust.” Having hope helps us stay in expectancy it gives us a good feeling of a welcomed outcome. Hoping in a good outcome keeps one positive but what happens when your outcome does not happen the way you wanted? What can happen is despondency, despair or depression. But it doesn’t have to when you know where to place your hope it guards you from the D’s of life.

In dealing with the loss of someone’s hope, it is important to look at what kind of hope they placed their trust in. At times we can place our hope in things and people that we have no control over. Life can change in an instant and hope can be dashed within seconds. Unfortunately, we cannot foresee every aspect that life brings. This is when we need a solid ground for our hope to be in. Putting hope into an outcome or a person is not as solid as we can imagine. But placing our hope in God is a solid foundation.

Putting your hope in God means your trusting Him with your outcome in situations and life. As we go through this life, we can be assured that God is faithful to His Word. The word of God tells us in Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. So that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy spirit.” Even though we may experience hardships, trials and sorrow God promises to walk through those with us.

The first thing about hope is ask yourself, ‘what are you placing your hope in?’ Ask yourself is it realistic, is it a doable plan are you prepared to wait. Count the cost! All dreams, plans, or visions for future take effort and time. Therefore, give yourself a realistic plan to hold onto. I choose to place my plans in God’s hands. I want His plan for my life. I have learned through the years He usually places a desire on your heart and as you prayerfully press into it you will know His will and plan.

The second thing to know about hope, ‘there is a waiting period.’ If we have it at once, we do not need hope. But what you do as you wait makes an enormous difference in your life and disposition. I choose to wait on God. I know He is faithful to His Word. He strengthens and gives us the grace to wait. His peace and joy will sustain you also as you wait. I choose to speak His Word aloud to myself at times because it produces faith to sustain a wait. The outcomes we want do not necessarily happen exactly the way we want but as your hope, trust and faith are placed in God He will produce in you a disposition that is maturing as you wait.

The third thing to know about hope is ‘God is our hope.’ Hebrews 6:19 “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20) where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” This hope is a solid foundation in Jesus Christ sacrifice for our salvation. He bought our forgiveness. We are His Children when we repent and accept Jesus Christ and live in Him.

When hope wanes and the wait is long remind yourself God has you and is with you, because your hope in Him is the anchor of your soul. Your trust is placed in Him and not in yourself.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. So that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy spirit.”

Three Tools To Fight The Good Fight Of Faith…

How do we fight the good fight of faith? What is the good fight of faith? What does the Apostle Paul mean when he tells Timothy to fight the good fight of faith? Obviously, it is not a physical fight but a moral, spiritual and emotional fight. Our scripture reference is 1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

The reader needs to review 1 Timothy chapter six because the context is important to understanding the good fight of faith that the apostle Paul is writing to Timothy about. He tells him in verse six “godliness with contentment is great gain.” What ever place we are in God supplies our need. Being content with what you have is essential to peace. When we are focused on what we do not have we become frustrated and fretful with life.

Fighting the good fight is a moral, emotional and spiritual fight. When we get to focused on getting things or having what we do not have, we become focused on ourselves. This can open the door to greed, lust, self-pity, and bitterness. The Apostle Paul understood this and said in Philippians 3:12 “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He understood the harm of letting our situations consume our mind, will and emotions. He understood that Christ strength empowers us to endure and wait, and to press on and persevere. Which is part of “the fighting the good fight of faith.”

First tool for fighting the good fight of faith is God’s Word. Speaking God’s Word to overcome in any area is the best tool to fight with. His word is effective and powerful.

One way in using God’s Word is to knock down the thoughts and imaginations that are contrary to God’s word and His peace. Be mindful of your thoughts they generate consequences on your emotions, health and wellness and eventually will cause spiritual issues. It is good training to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help recognize what kind of thinking you are doing. Recognizing your positive and negative thoughts clarifies what type of self-talk you are thinking about. Both men and women talk to them selves and how we talk to ourselves has an influence on us.

This scripture tells us how to pull down our thoughts that exult against the knowledge God. Anything contrary to God’s word, will and ways should be taken down in our thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10: 3-6 states, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalt itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to obedience of Christ, 6) and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

How by verbally saying I tear down the thought…be specific and speak the thought out loud and loose it off your mind in the Name of Jesus. If it comes back loose it from your mind again.

The second tool to “fight the good fight of faith” is prayer and fasting. This tool keeps your flesh in submission to your spirit. We fast and pray because God’s word is telling us too. It’s a good tool to discipline your self and a training tool to focus your mind, heart and spirit on God Almighty. Some of us have health issues so don’t get caught up in the word fasting. If you have health issue and cannot go with out eating you can always give up something for example, Facebook, tv, treats etc. My husband just did a 10-week challenge for fight club and gave up Facebook. It was a way to sacrifice and focus on scripture and prayer.

In 1 Timothy 6:11 it says, “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” Fleeing what is harmful to you and your walk with God and pursuing the character traits of Jesus.

The third tool to fight the good fight of faith is humility. When we walk in humility God gives us grace. Humility produces a teachableness and dependence on God. When your humble you are not relying on your own instincts and modes you depend on God’s word, will and ways. God provides us with wisdom and knowledge. Fighting the good fight of faith is daily living focused and dependent on the word, will and ways of God.

What is the Maturity Factor?

How do we develop maturity in our lives? What does it look, sound and feel like? Sometimes we think we are mature and then life throws curve ball on us and we realize we lack patience in our situation. You can tell where you’re at by your responses, although sometimes we respond correctly, we may still carry it internally. God knows what is in our hearts. We do not always sense where we are at because our own hearts can deceive us.

In the bible James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, 3-knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4-But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

The NIV states, “4-let the perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

How important is maturity to you? It’s important to God or he wouldn’t be perfecting us through patience. Trials come and go it’s something we all face. How we develop through it all depends on us. Here are three ways people face trials, delays or setbacks:

One way is to get upset, complain and grumble. Obviously, this is not the best way to handle life’s situations. It only makes you anxious and grumpy towards others and life in general. Will it produce anything to happen quicker? The answer is no it will not. Truthfully the more aggravated you get it feels like the trial will never end. When we speak the complaint out loud, we are producing with our own word’s negativity over our situations and life. Complaining brings you down mentally and emotionally. Yes, we can talk about the bad and discuss it to deal with our problems but complaining is not just discussing a situation. It takes on a self-pity attitude that if done enough will cause your mind and emotions to lean towards the negative. When we complain too much, we can become self-righteous without realizing we are doing it. The bible tells us to think on good things, things that are pure, lovely, and of a good report. I speak the word of God over my situations it produces faith and reminds me who is in control. God is for us when we are His child lean on Him and trust Him through any delays.

Another way to face it is avoidance. Pretend nothing is wrong just pretend life is good and repress your emotions. This causes internal emotional side effects. When we repress our emotions and thoughts etc. it doesn’t go away it goes down deep into our subconscious. You may think it’s gone but no it’s not it’s just hiding out till the day it explodes. If your responses become sudden outbursts, it’s a sign you have repressed something such as hurts, unforgiveness, resentments, bitterness etc. Traumas and hurts that have not been dealt with through healing will result in us having inner emotional, mental and physical problems of some type. The good news is that Jesus died for our life spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. There is hope!

The third way to handle trials, situations or delays is to go to God with them. Prayerfully read the Word of God and mediate on it. Process the frustrations, pains, hurts or delays through the guidance of The Holy Spirit. God is always working to make us whole, healed and healthy. Yes, He uses the trials we face. All our trials are not wasted but when you’re leaning on the grace of God as you go through it you will end up better off than when it started. No matter what you are faced with God wants to get through it with you and then use it for the development of your maturity.

The maturity factor is God working within you to develop into a mature and complete person.

Rest = Faith

What is rest and why is it equal to belief?

Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17)For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “the just shall live by faith.”

Hebrews 4:3 “For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘they shall not enter my rest” Hebrews 3:9 “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

How often do we attempt to do something in our own power to have it disappoint? Rest equals faith when we are surrendered to God by putting our faith in him the rest becomes twofold.

First, when you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God through his death and resurrection you have eternal life in him for the now and later. This assurance produces rest.

The Israelites did not have confidence in the living God, they went back to what was familiar to them. Therefore, they disobeyed God in the wilderness and could not enter His rest. There is a place in God where you can release all aspects of your life. This does not mean you do not do anything because faith and actions go together. What it does mean is you are trusting in God and waiting on His guidance.

I trust God because of who He is and what He has done. As I trust God ‘the rest’ is a peace within me. I know what ever happens in life His promise to take care of me as well as lead me are truths I have witnessed in action.

One day in prayer I heard in my spirit ‘rest’ at first I thought it pertained to my physical body I had been pushing my ankle and experienced more swelling but a few days later I heard in my spirit ‘Rest equals faith.’ I have been pondering this for a few days.

When we naturally rest, we are at peace, we are relaxed (less tension and anxious), we are still (soothed) and we get rejuvenated (refreshed). As we can see rest is good for our natural bodies.

Just as rest in the natural environment is good for us ‘rest equals faith’ is even healthier for our spirit. Faith in God brings peace, tranquility and restoration.

Now if your belief in God does not give you rest then it is time to evaluate your faith. Ask yourself are you serving God out of obligations or because of love? Are you following religions rules or are you following the leading of the Holy Spirit? Are you doing works to earn from God or are you relying on His grace to do the work?

The Bible says, “Faith comes from hearing and hearing the Word of God.” First, we must believe He is God the bible states. Second, that He is a rewarder of those who seek him. How do we build our faith?

This is how we go from faith to faith, through hearing the word of God. We also build our faith through reading the Word of God, I ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate His Word to my understanding. We also build our faith by mediating on the Word of God. As our faith grows, we apply action to our faith.

The just shall live by faith the bible says, every believer is given a deposit of faith you increase by hearing the Word of God. And by doing the word of God. Enter His rest in the present and live by faith in God.

Tested, Tried and Proven…

During my devotions on Jan 4^th I asked the Lord what was on his heart and I heard in my spirit “love, love and more love.” “Faith tested, tried and proven trust.”

Faith is…? To you what is faith? What does it mean to have faith? How is your faith tested, tried and proven? These are the questions we need to know so when we are faced with situations, we can let faith arise within our hearts and lean on God without always understanding what is happening.

Through the trials the bible states our faith is being tested, tried and producing patience/endurance. Looking at the word trials or tribulations other words related to them are development, lifestyle, growth, suffering, circumstances, journey.

James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Tested faith produces patience, letting patience have its full work produces tried and proven. A perfect and complete individual who is matured in faith.

What is faith? Scripture states in, Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith for me is the trust, belief and confidence in the Creator God Most High who sent His Own Son Jesus dying for me. Faith comes from Him, is by Him and through Him.

Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” This describes faith, it believes God exists it also believes that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

I love how Almighty God is powerful and practical. We complicate God with our own assumptions and traditions. God loves us so much he sent His Son to take away our sin by dying on the cross. Faith comes through Him we all get a seed of faith as you trust God in situations it grows and becomes tested, tried and proven, sounds simple because it is.

We complicate it with doubt, fears, worries. Simple believing faith like a child is all we need. If your struggling with the faith to trust God stop for a moment and look around you and you will see something good to be thankful for. Start reading the Scriptures on who he is and His goodness it will build up your faith.