10 WAYS TO GROW YOUR FAITH

Faith they say is really not faith at all until you use it.  It’s easy to have faith when everything seems to be going great in your life.  It’s entirely a different story when it’s put to the test by difficult times such as a loss of employment, loss of a love one, a bad health report, divorce or the struggles of parenting a difficult child to name just a few.

According to Wikipedia faith is: Faith is confidence or trust in a person, thing or concept.  In the context of religion, faith is “belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion.”

The bible in Hebrews 11:1 in the NIV says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:6 says “and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Faith is trusting God. 

My son, Ryan was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a lung and digestive disease. One day when he was twenty-something, he asked me with tears streaming down his face, “who does God hate me or you that I would be born with this disease.”  He continued, “when I was a little boy, I would get on my knees and ask God to take this away, but he didn’t, why?”  Those are hard questions! With a huge lump in my throat, I replied, “I don’t have all the answers, but I know that God loves us both. I believe bad things happen in this world we live, We have to trust God in it until the end.”

There were many times in Ryan’s life that he received a miracle. His love for God especially at the end of his life is a testimony to not give up.  He had peace.  The kind of peace talked about in Philippians 4:7-And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  He was a whosoever that the bible talks about in John 3:16. He knew Jesus. Ryan wanted others to know Jesus too. He wanted to tell as many people as possible that there’s a better way to live and that’s through Jesus Christ. He shared his faith with others. His confidence was that he would have eternal life. He told a good friend of mine who visited Ryan in the hospital, “I know where I’m going!” Ryan passed on from this life to eternal life at the age of 31. The bible verse 2 Timothy 4:7- I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, was engraved on the monument marking his grave because he exemplified that scripture. We all should strive to trust in the Lord all of our days!

Faith is important in the believer’s life like it was for my son.  It allows you to persevere through hard times and to overcome fear.  It allows you to help others who are struggling.  It brings peace into your life, giving you a better life!

Here are 10 ways to grow your faith.

1. Read the Word-The bible says in Romans 10:17- “So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” If you want strong faith, rad the Word of God. If you don’t have a bible, there are many bible apps you can download for free.
2. Obey the Word– One way to develop your faith is by using it by trusting and obeying the Word.  James 1:22-“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.” The way you grow strong muscles is by using them. It’s the same with faith.
3. Surround Yourself With Other Christians-Get plugged into a bible study or group and fellowship with other believers.  Be around people who build you up rather than tear you down.  1 Corinthians 15:33-“Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.
4. Pray– Prayer is fellowship with God.  Our faith will grow the more we pray.  Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
5. Listen To God’s Word Taught and Preached Regularly– We gain understanding of the Word when we listen to messages at church or at conferences.  That understanding will grow your faith.  Hebrews 10:25-Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
6. Share Your Testimony With Others– Sharing testimonies remind us we are not alone in our struggles.  Sharing your testimony not only builds faith in others but also confirms and builds faith in yourself.  Revelations 12:11- They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.  Hard times lead to an opportunity for testimony according to Luke 21:13- This will result in your being witnesses to them.
7. Trust God in Difficult Times– Jammes 1:2-4-Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance, perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  Apostle Paul explains that going through hardships happen so that we might not rely on ourselves but on God. 2 Corinthians 1:9-Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.  But this happened, that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

8. Read Books on Faith– There are many great books by respectable Christian authors on faith.  Reading books will grow your knowledge and your faith.

9. Serve Others In Need– Volunteer in a food pantry, homeless shelter, or a boys and girls club or other charity to help those in need.  God uses people to bring a blessing to others.  Your faith and those you serve will grow in the process of you serving and sharing your life with others. God moves in and through us.  1 Peter 4:10- Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

10.  Remember God’s Faithfulness.  We can have faith in whatever we face      today by remembering God’s faithfulness in the past.  When we remember specific instances in which God has been faithful it increases our faith and trust in Him for whatever we face today.  A grateful attitude deepens our faith.  Hebrews 13:8-Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Lamentations 3:22-23- Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

As you can tell by reading this post, building your faith comes from being pro-active.  It depends on your habits and practices.  You won’t become an award-winning body builder if you don’t lift weights. It just don’t happen unless you put in the work. Faith is similar. Your faith will grow if you do the disciplines to grow it! Your faith is something no one can take from you! It will be a constant during good times and difficult times. 

You got this!  You can do it.  Like the popular Nike ad says, “Just Do It!”

Please leave a comment below if this blog was helpful or encouraging to you in anyway. I’d like to hear from you.