By India T. Warshauer
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 understand how God help our hard situation. So can we know? Should we expect to have details to the unknown since we are encouraged to walk by faith not by sight? Well, it all depends. Here are 3 things which are important if you're going to do what Paul suggested.
1: Faith needs to rest on God's word
The beginning step to living by faith is believing that something will come to pass, regardless of what one might be faced with presently. By the meaning, "faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) But what should you put assurance in? We all has desires. Sometimes we wish for something to happen and then assume that it's His will. We put our assurance in it coming about, but are then disappointed when it doesn't occur.
How can this be avoided? Make certain to recognize the difference between something He has promised you instead of it being just a personal wish. For example, God told Abram to walk away from his long time residence and go to a place that He would later show him. Abram's faith was founded on what God told him, not Abrams own idea.
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 challenged and will present you with a choice
Once you set out believing your faith goal, challenges will affect your mind. Paul understood that faith requires a decision to stand strong even when it seems unlikely. To this point he stated in Romans 8:24, "...hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already obtained?" I don't know about you, but I don't always like uncertainty. It's difficult. It seems like other people around us don't have it so difficult. Instead, we often think that our life is more difficult than theirs.
The verse I previously shared says that it's simple to hope in what you already see, but that doesn't require faith, does it? On the contrary, living by our faith at some point brings us right into circumstances that challenge our faith because things seem quite the opposite of the thing we desired. To recall Abram, he believed that God the Father would give him a son because God had so promised. Despite the promise, God waited until Abram was so old that he didn't have the ability to father a child!
In this situation, Abram had a decision. Would he give up walking by faith and go by sight, or was Abram going to believe God to accomplish His word to him? Regardless of Abram making some errors, much like most of us do, God's mercy ultimately came to pass. Abram trusted God and the rest is history. If you belong to Christ, you are a part of Abraham's completed promise today. Faith means hoping in the promise when it's difficult, but hold on, because it's worth it.
3. Faith means trusting God
Perhaps the challenging thing about walking by faith and not sight is that it means we must trust. Trust isn't challenging alone, however it can be extremely difficult if you've been betrayed by others. Sometimes we think God is like other people who have told us one thing, yet did something else. We've all had it happen before. Someone we know extends a promise to us and we have no reason to doubt they wouldn't complete it. But then they break their word.
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 submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Walking by faith demands that we put aside our understanding at times and trust in Him regardless. This can be difficult, but it's worth the risk. If you are in a situation at this time and you can't understand how it is going to get resolved, choose to trust in Him the best you can. He's faithful that you can muster and do inconceivable things. All that is required is faith the size 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. Invest your trust in Him, not in yourself.
I realize past situations can make this very challenging, and if you need extra assistance getting over disappointment you probably want to check out this eBook.
No matter what you do, don't stop and keep moving forward. Despite our errors (like Abram), He is loving even when we aren't. (1 Timothy 2:13) Let this be your encouragement, and believe that what He has declared, He is able to complete. That's what he promised Abram, and that's the same thing He has promised to all of us as well. You can prevail!
About the Author:
The author is a life coach who helps people understand their personal mission walk by faith (http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Walk-By-Faith-Not-By-Sight:-3-Secrets&id=7170206) . Get free videos and tips at http://youtu.be/ZyThYj_ouj0.
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 understand how God help our hard situation. So can we know? Should we expect to have details to the unknown since we are encouraged to walk by faith not by sight? Well, it all depends. Here are 3 things which are important if you're going to do what Paul suggested.
1: Faith needs to rest on God's word
The beginning step to living by faith is believing that something will come to pass, regardless of what one might be faced with presently. By the meaning, "faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) But what should you put assurance in? We all has desires. Sometimes we wish for something to happen and then assume that it's His will. We put our assurance in it coming about, but are then disappointed when it doesn't occur.
How can this be avoided? Make certain to recognize the difference between something He has promised you instead of it being just a personal wish. For example, God told Abram to walk away from his long time residence and go to a place that He would later show him. Abram's faith was founded on what God told him, not Abrams own idea.
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 challenged and will present you with a choice
Once you set out believing your faith goal, challenges will affect your mind. Paul understood that faith requires a decision to stand strong even when it seems unlikely. To this point he stated in Romans 8:24, "...hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already obtained?" I don't know about you, but I don't always like uncertainty. It's difficult. It seems like other people around us don't have it so difficult. Instead, we often think that our life is more difficult than theirs.
The verse I previously shared says that it's simple to hope in what you already see, but that doesn't require faith, does it? On the contrary, living by our faith at some point brings us right into circumstances that challenge our faith because things seem quite the opposite of the thing we desired. To recall Abram, he believed that God the Father would give him a son because God had so promised. Despite the promise, God waited until Abram was so old that he didn't have the ability to father a child!
In this situation, Abram had a decision. Would he give up walking by faith and go by sight, or was Abram going to believe God to accomplish His word to him? Regardless of Abram making some errors, much like most of us do, God's mercy ultimately came to pass. Abram trusted God and the rest is history. If you belong to Christ, you are a part of Abraham's completed promise today. Faith means hoping in the promise when it's difficult, but hold on, because it's worth it.
3. Faith means trusting God
Perhaps the challenging thing about walking by faith and not sight is that it means we must trust. Trust isn't challenging alone, however it can be extremely difficult if you've been betrayed by others. Sometimes we think God is like other people who have told us one thing, yet did something else. We've all had it happen before. Someone we know extends a promise to us and we have no reason to doubt they wouldn't complete it. But then they break their word.
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 submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Walking by faith demands that we put aside our understanding at times and trust in Him regardless. This can be difficult, but it's worth the risk. If you are in a situation at this time and you can't understand how it is going to get resolved, choose to trust in Him the best you can. He's faithful that you can muster and do inconceivable things. All that is required is faith the size 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. Invest your trust in Him, not in yourself.
I realize past situations can make this very challenging, and if you need extra assistance getting over disappointment you probably want to check out this eBook.
No matter what you do, don't stop and keep moving forward. Despite our errors (like Abram), He is loving even when we aren't. (1 Timothy 2:13) Let this be your encouragement, and believe that what He has declared, He is able to complete. That's what he promised Abram, and that's the same thing He has promised to all of us as well. You can prevail!
About the Author:
The author is a life coach who helps people understand their personal mission walk by faith (http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Walk-By-Faith-Not-By-Sight:-3-Secrets&id=7170206) . Get free videos and tips at http://youtu.be/ZyThYj_ouj0.