Faith-Filled, Big-Thinking

If you were asked to rate yourself in having faith for whatever you are waiting for, what would you say on a faith scale from 1-10? Do you think those around you and the Lord know you as a person of great faith? Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

What does it look like to have great faith? Jesus was amazed twice in scripture, but his amazement was at opposite ends of the spectrum. In Mark 6:5-6, Jesus was amazed by the lack of faith after he healed several people. He could have done more miracles, but chose not to because of the unbelief of those around him. In the extreme opposite case, in Luke 7:9, Jesus was amazed by the great faith of the centurion. How big is your faith? Would you or do you want to be known like the people of Nazareth who lacked faith or the centurion who had great faith?

Craig Groeschel spoke about this topic in his sermon where he addressed 3 Principles of Faith:

1. You cannot play it safe and please God. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. It’s not always easy, but the only way to please God is to get out of your comfort zone and take steps of faith. Don’t let your fear of failure keep you from taking a step of faith. It’s not always going to make sense. Actually, most of the time it won’t make sense, but you have to step out of the boat, just like Peter did, to find out what He has in store for you.

2. As long as you have a guarantee, you don’t have faith. When we can see something or know when something is going to happen it isn’t called faith. Faith is all about believing in the unseen. It’s so easy to want to control our situations. We want to know everything, but knowing all the whens and whys isn’t faith. Faith is when we don’t know why and we believe anyway. When we live by faith, it’s relying on God’s word and His character, instead of what all of our natural circumstances are dictating. You can have faith or you can have control, but you can’t have both.

3. To step toward your destiny, you have to step away from your security. Hebrews 11:8 says “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” How many of us feel like we don’t know where we are going? When you are called out upon the waves will you obey and go, just like Abraham did? The purpose of taking a step of faith isn’t for the outcome you want, but it’s trusting the faithfulness of God despite your circumstances around you.

I’ll be honest – our journey doesn’t make much sense to me. I’m not sure why the Lord has called us to wait. I don’t know why we have been told not to pursue fertility treatments or adoption or not even track/chart. But, what I do know is that our faith in Him is what He desires. Just like Abraham, He wants us to obey and wait even when we don’t understand.

What great faith steps are you taking? Would God be amazed at your lack of faith or amazed by your great faith? I want it to be the latter! Join me in having great faith in our Lord! Have assurance of things hoped for, even though they can’t yet be seen.

Faith-Filled, Big-Thinking

21 Comments
  • Ashley
    Posted at 06:58h, 21 January Reply

    Right this moment I am having to walk by faith alone. After losing Will 3 months ago and facing many unknowns I can only see the unseen. Praying for a big miracle and hearing god tell me to be patient.

  • Kimberly
    Posted at 07:31h, 21 January Reply

    Its a strugle sometimes. I’ve had some small bumps in the road and I wonder why sometimes. But I think that my faith has gotten stronger over the last year. His timming has been a miracle in itself, so I find comfort in that. I’m also leaning on the motto “one step at a time.”

  • Katie
    Posted at 07:32h, 21 January Reply

    Thank you for posting this today! It was a wonderful reminder about remaining faithful!

  • Sheryl
    Posted at 07:38h, 21 January Reply

    “As long as you have a guarantee, you don’t have faith.” I simply love this statement and it is so true. Having faith about the guarantees isn’t faith. There have been many times I’ve questioned going out on my own as a counselor and having my own practice:yet I still keep feeling this is what I should be doing. It certainly doesn’t mean I’m uneasy at times! Your posts are always so meaningful to me.

  • Kara
    Posted at 09:22h, 21 January Reply

    This is just what I needed. I feel like my faith has been so stretched during this time and while things didn’t turn out as I hoped, my faith in God has grown. He has been so faithful to us. Also, I loved that sermon by Craig.. Listened to it twice 🙂

  • Laura @ Making Baby Provence
    Posted at 09:47h, 21 January Reply

    Funny how I just heard this sermon a couple of weeks ago, and I’m already appreciating the reminder. 🙂 I like the way you worded it. Definitely puts it into an excellent context for me. These are points that I HAVE to get better about living. Excellent entry, Caroline!

  • Jessi Otey
    Posted at 10:01h, 21 January Reply

    Great message C! Thinking about you two and sending prayers- waiting is never fun but when you know there is a reason and purpose for everything it makes it worth it! xoxo

  • Tanya @ the sky and back
    Posted at 10:24h, 21 January Reply

    “You can have faith or you can have control, but you can’t have both.” As a control freak this is very important to remember. I think my 1-10 faith scale varies depending on what day or even minute you ask me. Today it’s probably only like a 0.5! I have much work to do.

  • becky
    Posted at 10:51h, 21 January Reply

    After 5 years of waiting on the Lord, I would say my faith has gotten exponentially stronger. It’s not necessarily faith that says “I know I’m going to get pregnant!” It’s more like a quiet faith that looks over everything we’ve been through and says “I KNOW God is good. I KNOW He has great things for us. I TRUST His plan and His perfect will for us, whatever that may be and I choose to believe that our story isn’t over.” After everything we’ve been through, I’d say it takes a lot to get to that point. Sometimes I get frustrated that He isn’t calling us to adoption or more fertility treatments, but I have faith that He is doing that for a reason. This season of waiting upon the Lord is actually really beautiful 🙂

    • Laura @ Making Baby Provence
      Posted at 11:08h, 21 January Reply

      Becky, I’m glad I subscribed to get any additional comments on this blog today. What you said was…perfect. I just wanted to thank you. I will be saving this quote in my journal: “I KNOW God is good. I KNOW He has great things for us. I TRUST His plan and His perfect will for us, whatever that may be and I choose to believe that our story isn’t over.”

  • Rebecca Jo
    Posted at 13:29h, 21 January Reply

    Stepping away from security… that’s the big key of faith to me. So dang scary!!

  • Jojo
    Posted at 19:12h, 21 January Reply

    “When we can see something or know when something is going to happen it isn’t called faith. Faith is all about believing in the unseen.” This is true…we must just trust in him and not ask for a sign. I know when ur time comes ur baby(ies) will be extremely loved by everyone.

  • Jaclyn
    Posted at 19:51h, 21 January Reply

    THANK U, friend!!!!!!! Just what I needed and it’s apparent by all the other comments above that the others needed it too!!! Lots if prayers for everyone!!! This blog is such a lifeline!!!! :-). Xoxoxo

  • Tania // Run To Radiance
    Posted at 22:44h, 21 January Reply

    This is such a good post. I never thought too much of the gift of faith until I got married. Scott has the gift of faith unlike anyone I’ve ever met. He never stresses and always genuinely knows God will take care of stuff. He’s a true rock for his watery wife. 😛

  • Jessa Olson
    Posted at 09:23h, 22 January Reply

    Seriously this is my FAVORITE POST EVER in life. This is exactly what I needed to read right now. It goes back to my favorite verse that things that aren’t seen are forever and the thing that are seen is temporary. Very loosely written. 2 corin 4:18

  • Krystal
    Posted at 12:56h, 22 January Reply

    Love everything about this post. I had alot of the same thoughts while we were having trouble trying to conceive – why, why, why? But all we could do was pray that God would lead us down the right path (and eventually, he did). You are sending such a positive message to people, especially women going through infertility. Maybe God is using you as for that reason rgiht now – your messages are a gift.

  • Renee
    Posted at 22:21h, 22 January Reply

    Thank you for this encouraging post. Our family is going through a rough time right now.

    Renee, cohost of the #shinebloghop

  • Finley
    Posted at 04:30h, 23 January Reply

    Beautiful Caroline – I love this – Faith is when we don’t know why and we believe anyway. its enough to be led by just our faith and always on my heart to stop trying to control things and let God be – He knows what His doing 🙂
    thank you lovely x

  • Cheryl Smith
    Posted at 14:07h, 24 January Reply

    Wow, this is a powerful and edifying post that blessed me so much, Caroline! I loved the thoughts you shared from that sermon. What an anointed word! I want to save this and click over and listen to it in its entirety as soon as I have time. Thank you so much for sharing!

  • jennifer prod
    Posted at 18:12h, 25 January Reply

    caroline! your posts are always get me thinking about big and important questions, and i’m always grateful. i do want to be thought of as a person of great faith, but i’m not sure everyone would see me that way? i attend church and read my Bible and say my prayers, but i’m not sure that my love for Jesus is apparent to all? something i should think about and fix!

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