One of the wildest journeys of my life was when God gave me a vision as I was minding my own business driving around Nashville. I saw a man with gray hair and a limp and immediately felt like I was supposed to go out of my way to Whole Foods and find him so God could bring healing. I thought I was crazy as I had never experienced this in my life, but I figured why not? 

I followed what I believed was God’s voice throughout the store to pick up some overpriced peanut butter and naan bread (yes, he was that specific). In perfect timing, I found myself walking right next to a man with gray hair who had an extreme limp as I was leaving the store. 

After low-key freaking out, I timidly went up to the man, told him what I had experienced moments before, asked if I could pray, and said a rather basic prayer. Moments later he was walking normally without an ounce of pain while his wife rejoiced exuberantly throughout Whole Foods and made me pray for her as well.

There’s more to the story, but my point is this: Never once did I feel extreme confidence in what I was doing or what would happen.

I wanted to bolt out of there so badly but knew I’d be kicking myself for the rest of my life wondering what would have happened if I had stayed. I did the opposite of what I wanted to do and got uncomfortable. As I initially walked towards the man scared out of my mind I even told God, 

“This is on you.” 

Maybe that’s all faith really needs?

The Mystery of Faith

Faith is one of the seemingly most mysterious topics in the Bible, yet the most important. Christianity is built on faith. 

If there’s one conversation I’ve had with friends over the years during difficult times it has been about what faith actually looks like and how to grow in it.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Is it me or do even the verses describing faith seem confusing to fully grasp? Seriously though! Is it simply “belief”? Is it something we activate? Is it a feeling? An action? Is it being fully convinced? Is it being just a bit confident? Is it a moment in time or an ongoing process? I’ve heard what feels like hundreds of sermons on the topic, but it still feels like the most complex, and yet simple subject I’ve ever known. 

Planting the Mustard Seed

The biggest struggle for myself and many people I’ve done life with is the wonder of whether we have “enough” of it. We want something to budge in our lives or environment and get stuck feeling like we need a faith increase to move the mountain. In all of the questions and frustration I’ve felt God bring me back to this key lesson:

Faith is typically is exercised the most in doing what is hardest for us or the opposite of what we want to do.

For me, one of the biggest struggles I’ve had in life is resting. I love to keep myself busy. I rarely feel like I’ve accomplished enough in a day and am always hungry to keep going. I quantify my productivity and if I don’t reach my standards I feel like I’ve let myself, God and everyone around me down. Thus, one of the ways I demonstrate faith in God’s gracious character is by resting even if I don’t feel like it.

Why is this “faith”? Because it shows trust. It is the act of letting go of control.

Humans are control-freaks and the world conditions us to be so. Doing the opposite of what is easy for us is the ultimate declaration of “I trust you, God”. Giving away more than the 10% tithe is a perfect example. By being generous and letting ourselves be stretched out of our comfort zone we are making a bold statement in the supernatural that God is real, powerful, good, and our provider as Matthew 6 states.

Christianity is a Relational Process

Maybe you’re walking through a tough journey right now waiting for God to move a mountain. The first thing that I want to encourage you to do is to love yourself because He loves you. Let go of any shame over your circumstances.

Next, ask God how you can demonstrate trust in Him. Maybe that’s taking action. Maybe it’s resting and not striving. Don’t let the enemy over-complicate your journey. God’s grace is so much bigger than your ability to get everything right. Follow His leading and you won’t regret it.

What has faith looked like for you? Let us know in the comments below.

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