The title is a popular phrase I believe you have heard way too many times in the course of your journey thus far. You may have given this piece of advice to friends and family with good intentions in mind; and have also been on the opposite end to receive such counsel. Regardless of the specifics of what the situation may be, most of us are comfortable with the conclusion that we should have faith in God. Faith in a power greater than ourselves when life seems throw us with curveballs that are overwhelming and unbearable.
The instruction, suggestion and advice seems simple; but more often than most it is loosely thrown out to calm down an immensely difficult situation. At times people may even use it exclude themselves from the matter as they do not want any part of your problem, or are just too overwhelmed with their own lives. The reasons differ but so do the challenges; but what does it really mean to have faith in God.
Many questions may emerge along with so many interpretations for anyone reading this; but I would like to use the identity of God as a starting point. We all have different perceptions of who God is informed by our different religious beliefs and world views. It is that same belief and perception that determines just how reliant we are on the supernatural.
To set the record straight I believe God to be the source of life and all there is. Simply put no God no life, He is the beginning and the end, the greatest there is, there was and ever will be. He is the creator and the one who holds our breath in his hand. He is undoubtedly the one who has the final say and above Him there is no other. He is Sovereign, Supreme, Omnipotent, Omniscient and Immutable. Through the seasons and changes of the world he remains and cannot be intimidated by the forces of darkness, in fact the forces of nature point to his existence and all elements tremble at the sound of his voice.
The identity sets the foundation for faith because if I see him as some old guy in the sky then I probably won’t have much appreciation or even have much faith in Him. The role he plays in our lives needs to be clarified in order to rightly perceive Him as per the bible. The revelation through the Spirit elevates that knowledge and enable us to have a personal relationship with Him. The relationship with Him is through faith and faith therefore becomes crucial in our interaction with the Spirit because unless we believe we will not benefit from the journey.
I stated the above just to say that having faith in God is believing in the impossible, everything you can’t do He can. It is trusting the promise he gives to you despite the odds stacked up against you. It is going against popular belief because His wisdom surpasses the wisdom of men and counts it as foolishness. The wise and intellectuals may have their opinions but at the end of the day it’s what He says that makes a difference. Yes you will ridiculed and be called a fool but having faith in Him comes at the cost of disregarding the voice of the multitudes into isolation of trusting & seeking Him. Taking His word above the facts of your circumstance. It is by no means easy but worth it in every sense.
The systems of the world will fail, people will fail, economies will crumble from time to time and everything in life is subject and to change and will change; but GOD is unmoved nor unchanged. Through all the ages he proves to be faithful even in our faithlessness. The constant and true God is worth putting your hope in; it will set you apart from the rest. We all will be challenged in this life but where your faith lies is what will determine the greatness of your destiny.
In light of Angus Buchan story it pays to have faith like potatoes, yes in the course of the journey it may not make sense but in the end the evidence shall surely speak for itself.