Have you been instructed to walk by faith, not by sight? Lots of people have desired to do this in life. And it's a great goal, because the topic comes from the Scriptures.
The verse is written in 2 Corinthians 5:7, where Paul is talking about our temporal home, which he says is the earth and our human body. He's likening it to the future of one day living in heaven with God and how great it will be. Paul is explaining, "Of course, we know this idea is true but often it's challenging to accept it based on our earthly difficulties and circumstances." But Paul concludes that we can walk by faith (what we don't see) and not by sight (what we do see). Most people would all agree that's what we should do. So how does it work?
Let's talk about 3 principles that will get you moving. Today lots of people want clarity for their lives. They are seeking the course Christ has created for them and also discover how to make an impact. And they also want to figure out how circumstances will work out.
Also, almost everyone will want to find out how He helps our difficult circumstances. So is it possible to know? Should one expect to have details to these things since we are told to walk by faith not by sight? Well, it all depends. Here are 3 principles which are important if you're going to follow what the Apostle talked about.
1: Faith needs to rest on something solid
The initial step to living by faith is to believe that something will happen, regardless of what one might be facing right now. By definition, "faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) But what should someone put faith in? Each person has goals. At times we desire for something to take place and then presume it's His will. We put our assurance in it happening, but are at times discouraged when it doesn't occur.
How can this be avoided? Make certain to make the difference between something He has Himself promised you versus it being a personal desire. For instance, God told Abram to depart his homeland and sojourn to a place that He would later show him. Abram's faith was founded on what He promised him, not his own idea.
It can be tough to know the difference from our God's ideas and our ideas, so it's important to first present our plans to Him and seek assurance that God is behind our decisions. Faith begins by resting on a God idea, not a personal plan. It's not always clear to know, but this is a strength you can develop and you'll improve over time.
2. Faith will surely be challenged and will present you with a choice
After you set out believing your promise, circumstances will test your mind. The Apostle understood that believing requires a choice to hold firm to something even when it seems unlikely. Therefore he said in Romans 8:24, "...hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?" I am not sure about you, but I don't usually enjoy uncertainty. It's really tough sometimes. It seems like other people around us have it easier than we do. Instead, we often think that our life is more challenging than theirs.
The verse above says that it's simple to have assurance in what you already have, but that doesn't require any faith, does it? Instead, walking by faith inevitably brings us into conflict with circumstances that challenge our faith because things appear quite the opposite of the outcome we pursued. To go back to Abram, he believed that God would provide him with a son because God had so promised. But, He waited until Abram was beyond his natural childbearing years that he didn't have the human ability to make a child!
In this case, Abram had a choice. Was he going to give up walking by faith and instead choose sight, or was he going to believe God to complete His promise to him? Despite Abram making some mistakes, much like we all do, God's mercy finally came to pass. Abram trusted God and the rest is history. If you know God, you are a descendant of Abraham's completed promise today. Faith requires hoping in your promise when it's difficult. Hang on, because it's worth the wait.
3. Faith means trusting God
Perhaps the challenging aspect about walking by faith and not sight is that it requires trust. Trust isn't hard alone, however it can be really difficult if you've been disappointed by other people. Sometimes we expect God is like other people who have promised something, yet did something else. We've all had it happen before. A person we know makes a promise to us and we have no reason to doubt they wouldn't complete it. But then they go back on their commitment.
It's not easy when other people change their mind and go back on their word, and this erodes our confidence over time. If you don't watch out, this can also affect one's ability to trust in God. So what can be done about it? We have to rebuild devastated expectations from your past and decide to trust in God regardless. Trusting in Him is the bottom line way to live by faith and not by what you see. Proverbs 3:5-6 says 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 ways straight."
Walking by faith requires that we put aside our ideas at times and trust in Him anyway. This isn't always easy, but it's well worth the chance. If you are in a situation right now and you can't understand how it is going to be fixed, then choose to trust in God the best you can. Little bit that you can produce and do inconceivable things. All is needed is faith the size of a mustard seed.
Summary:
Do you intend to walk by faith not by sight? Give attention to these 3 concepts in your current situation.
-Plant your faith on a promise. -Come to expect circumstances to test your belief, yet decide to have faith regardless. -Invest your trust in God, not in yourself.
I know past situations can make this really difficult, and if you need added help breaking free from unfulfilled expectations you may want to read this eBook.
Whatever you do, don't stop and continue advancing. Despite our errors (like Abram), God is faithful even when we aren't. (1 Timothy 2:13) Let that be your encouragement, and believe that what He has declared, He is able to complete. It's what he told Abram, and it's what He has promised to you and me too. You can prevail!
About the Author:
Walk by Faith Not by Sight - visit this site to get your free video or you can also check this out: Read This.
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