Trials And Tribulations: Building Faith In God

Faith is a central tenet of Christianity, and the Bible offers several ways to build and strengthen it. The word faith has become synonymous with any religious or irreligious adherence, but the biblical meaning is different. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, while Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is about having confidence and trust in God and His ability to oversee our lives according to His will.

One way to build faith is to immerse oneself in the truth and the word of God. Reading the Bible, meditating on the scriptures, and listening to sermons can help bolster faith. Praying is another way to communicate with God and establish a consistent relationship with Him. Sharing one's faith with others and exercising it through actions such as giving to others are also important ways to strengthen one's faith. Spending time with God in fellowship, worship, and praise can help one get to know Him better and understand His ways, thereby increasing faith.

While struggles are not explicitly mentioned in the sources, it can be inferred that the very nature of faith is to believe and trust in God during difficult times, when that which is tangible and visible seems overwhelming.

Reading and meditating on the Bible

Meditation is a way of reading Scripture that gives it a chance to get planted in your mind. It is a form of deep thinking about what God has said in the Bible and preparing your mind and heart for prayer. It is a way of communing with God.

Meditation is important because it helps to build spiritual muscle for the good times and the tough times. It is a way of exercising your faith and building a protective layer to help you when the world knocks you down.

The Psalms give at least five steps for meditating on God’s Word: focus, understand, remember, worship, and apply.

• Focus on how God is speaking to you through his Word.
• Understand how God is speaking about himself, our world, and our hearts.
• Remember all that God has done in the Bible and in your life.
• Worship and delight in God's Word.
• Apply the Bible to your daily life and ask for help in prayer.

Practical Tips

• Select a verse or phrase of Scripture. Be sure to read the surrounding verses to understand the context.
• Read the verse over several times, trying to memorise it.
• Contemplate the verse word by word, thinking about what it conveys about God, his plan, and his work in your life.
• Pray as you ponder the words of the verse.
• Meditate on a longer passage of Scripture over several days. Make notes about the ideas and questions that arise.
• Get away from distractions. Turn off your computer and put aside your phone to give God your undivided attention.

Bible Verses on Meditation

• Joshua 1:8: "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
• Psalms 119:15: "I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways."
• Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

Praying

Prayer is an integral part of building faith in God. It is our way of communicating with God and developing an intimate relationship with Him. Through prayer, we can seek God's help and guidance, especially during difficult times.

Benefits of Prayer

Prayer can have a profound impact on our lives, altering the way we think, feel, and behave. It awakens us to the beauty around us and opens our hearts to compassion. It gives us the courage to face our fears and the strength to fight on.

Overcoming Challenges in Prayer

Many people struggle with prayer at some point in their lives. Common challenges include maintaining focus, avoiding distractions, staying consistent, and feeling disconnected. To overcome these challenges, one can try praying according to biblical models like the Lord's Prayer or finding a quiet place to be still and physically stop all other activities. Reading and meditating on Scripture, as well as worshipping with a community of believers, can also enhance one's prayer life.

The Power of Prayer in Times of Struggle

When faced with struggles and challenges, prayer can be a source of strength and comfort. It allows us to pour out our hearts to God and seek His peace. Even when life seems overwhelming, prayer can help us welcome God's healing power and remind us that we are not alone.

Building Faith Through Prayer

By praying consistently and seeking God's presence, we can build a strong foundation of faith. We learn to trust in God's faithfulness and believe that He will move on our behalf. This trust enables us to overcome life's challenges and strengthens our relationship with God.

A Call to Action

In conclusion, prayer is a vital tool for building faith in God. It allows us to communicate with Him, seek His guidance, and find comfort in times of struggle. By praying regularly and sincerely, we can develop a deeper relationship with God and trust in His promises. So, let us not neglect our prayer life but instead seek to dwell in His presence and grow in our faith.

Trusting God's plans

Recognize God's Faithfulness

Seek God in Prayer

Prayer is a powerful tool to connect with God and build trust in His plans. When you pray, be honest with God about your fears, doubts, and struggles. Ask Him for guidance, wisdom, and strength to follow His plans for your life. Through prayer, you can develop a deeper relationship with God and find peace and comfort in knowing that He is in control.

Study God's Word

The Bible is a source of wisdom and guidance, and it can help you understand God's character and promises. Reading Scripture will provide you with a firm foundation for your faith and help you align your thoughts and actions with God's plans. As you study the Bible, meditate on the verses that speak to you and apply them to your life. This will help you trust that God's plans are perfect and worthy of your confidence.

Surrender and Obedience

True trust in God's plans comes when you surrender your life to Him and choose to obey His commands. Let go of your own desires and seek to follow His will for your life. Obedience demonstrates your faith and trust in God, and it opens the door for God to work in your life in powerful ways. Remember, God's plans are always for your ultimate good and His glory.

Seek Support from Fellow Believers

Surrounding yourself with a community of fellow believers can provide encouragement and help you trust in God's plans. Share your struggles and concerns with them and listen to their perspectives and experiences. Join a small group or find a mentor who can walk alongside you and provide spiritual guidance. By sharing your faith journey with others, you can gain new insights and strengthen your trust in God's plans.

Expect God's Provision

God promises to provide for all your needs (Philippians 4:19). When you trust in His plans, you can be confident that He will supply everything you need to fulfill His purpose for your life. This includes not only your physical needs but also your spiritual and emotional needs. Trust that God will equip you with the necessary resources, talents, and abilities to accomplish what He has called you to do.

Exercising your faith

The Bible says, "don't just talk the talk, but walk the walk". It is not enough to say you believe in Christ's provision if you do not put your faith in Him yourself. It is also not enough to attend church if you do not live a life for Christ the rest of the week.

One way to exercise your faith is by giving to others. This can be in the form of financial resources or your time. Putting your faith into action is important for continuing to build it.

Another way to exercise your faith is to act on the word of God. Take the authority that God has given you seriously and make use of it. For example, the Bible says, "you will lay hands on the sick and they will recover". The next time a friend or family member is unwell, why not exercise your faith by laying your hands on them, believing that they will be healed as scripture says? The more you exercise your faith, the more you build it, and the more you build it, the more you will grow.

You can also exercise your faith by reaching out to others with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Share Jesus with people of other faiths or those with no faith at all. God confirms His word when you share it with others, and as He does so, your faith will be built.

Worshipping with other believers

Worshipping Together

When believers gather together, one of the central reasons is to worship God. Worship starts in heaven, with angels crying out "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory" (Isaiah 6.3 NIV). God is looking for worshippers on Earth who will exalt His name and praise Him. Jesus said:

> "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth," (John 4.23-24 NIV).

There are many ways in which believers can worship God together.

Music

The Bible says:

> "Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods," (Psalm 95.1-3 NLT).

Giving

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver," (2 Corinthians 9.7 NIV).

Serving

"I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship," (Romans 12.1).

Prayer

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people," (1 Timothy 2.1 NIV).

Reading and Teaching the Bible

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God," (Colossians 3.16 ESV).

Communion

"He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me,' " (Luke 22.19 NLT).

Worship with Other Believers

It doesn't matter what type of church you attend, as long as it preaches and promotes the truths of the Bible. The main purpose of gathering with other believers is to join a body of believers who can support and encourage you as you work to build your faith.

Exercise Your Faith

It's important to put your faith into action by giving to others, whether that's your time or financial resources. This is a crucial part of continuing to build your faith.

Frequently asked questions