Do you ever find yourself doubting your faith in God? Experiencing doubts is a common event for most believers, but it’s especially prevalent in the face of death. We sometimes may wonder if God is actually present with us and working for our good during our most difficult times. Growing my faith in the face of death has resulted in one of the greatest faith tests.
What we need to know is this. Before the storm is on its way, that’s the time we need to prepare ourselves spiritually – in prayer. When the storm hits with its pounding waves and raging winds – it’s too late to get ready. The time and opportunity to build your faith isn’t there when you’re completely occupied dealing with the crisis of the moment.
Today we will give you some tools to help you prepare before the storm, and strengthen your faith in the midst of a challenging situation.
Prepare before the storm comes
When challenging times put incredible pressure on us, it only highlights what’s already inside of us. Ideally, before a challenge comes, you should be preparing in prayer for it. It could be as simple as cultivating faith by meditating on God’s promises of peace, healing, blessing, and redemption from the curse.
Praying in tongues also edifies and builds yourself up (Jude 1:20) and will prepare you for the battles ahead. You’ll be praying in the spirit for the situations that are coming your way all the things you don’t know (but the Holy Spirit does).
Ever wonder what makes the difference between those who live a faith-filled life and those who don’t? BIG DIFFERENCE! The one who prepares ahead of time will find these challenging times as an opportunity, moving ahead with confidence and certainty that God is with them and He will carry them through. Whereas the one who doesn’t prepare will be drowned by fear and led by all the emotions and negative thinking that the challenge brings.
Preparation will set you up for what’s ahead, and even though you walk through the darkest valley, you will fear no evil, for God is with you (Ps 34:4). When everything seems fine and you are at peace, invest your time in prayer because you know the next storm is coming sooner or later (the devil works in cycles). Don’t do it motivated by fear, rather do it in faith, for we are not ignorant of the schemes of the devil (2 Corinthians 2:11). Invest your time in prayer to drive back the enemy and become stronger, and when the next season comes, you’ll be ready!
If you didn’t prepare before the storm, and the storm is already here, don’t worry, faith can still be cultivated during an existing temptation or trial. All you need to do is choose not to rely on your own understanding, on what you see, hear and feel. But have faith in God, and fight the good fight of faith. It may require more time to fight through, but you’ll overcome it if you stick with it. Your faith is your victory!
Tough times are a great instigator of faith!
A storm is hard to see coming and even harder to predict when it will end, but faith will carry you through. When faith is strong, nothing can stop it! Faith will be a winner until the end (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Some people need to experience rock bottom before they start searching for God. The experience triggers them to look for something greater than the problem that they are facing. Hopefully, you don’t have to get into this situation before you start searching for God. We should be edifying ourselves 24/7!
Use the challenge to propel you and inspire you to push even harder into the promises of God.
How faith grows
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Listening, reading, and meditating on the Word of God will make your faith grow. The more you do it, the more it will grow. The more you use it, the more confident you’ll become.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). When you have faith, you know for sure that what you hope for will come to pass. You’ll be able to see with your heart all that God has planned for your future. Whether it’s big or small. Faith is powerful, faith is strong enough for you to look at God and say “I believe”.
Here below you will find some scriptures you can meditate on to strengthen your faith:
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4
Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:19-21
You may not know what this new season of life will look like for you and your family, but choose to trust in the Lord each moment. He’s got it under control. He knew this situation was going to happen even before it happened, and He has a plan to carry you through. Now it’s your duty to enter His rest and exercise your faith, believing Him for what He said He would do. He needs your faith strong to work through this trial.
There’s no temptation or situation that will be so strong you won’t be able to handle it (1 Corinthians 10:13). God is faithful and He won’t allow this to happen, you will always have everything you need to come out victorious from any situation. The power to stand up in the face of adversity comes from God, and He delivers it through faith. This power is available to you every day. All you have to do is be bold, reach out and take it! The righteous are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1).
There are many ways to grow in faith during tough moments. If you’re struggling, here are some ideas to help keep your faith strong:
- Prayerfully read through the Bible
- Talk to a friend about what you’re going through
- Take time each day to praise Him
- Read His word out loud
- Look for faith-building stories in the Bible to remind you that God can work through any circumstance
What you can control in the face of death
You can’t control the timing or circumstances, but you can control how you respond. Are you going to respond in faith or fear? Choose faith and you’ll experience the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding in the midst of the darkest situation.
Here are some practical things you can do:
- Pray constantly until you enter the rest of God.
- Encourage somebody that needs to be lifted up.
- Tell people you love how much they mean to you. Giving out love will also help you in this situation. Love conquers all.
Challenging times will either promote you or break you. Decide today that you will take God for who He is and what He said, and let His Word empower you to overcome whatever situation comes to you.
Remember faith is a force that will carry you through the valley of the shadow of death. Fear no evil! Draw close to God and He’ll draw closer to you. Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life (Psalm 23:6).
