INCREASE. YOUR. FAITH.
Someone sent me a reel the other day on Instagram of a movie clip where Will Ferrell (God in this scenario) is typing on his computer and Mark Wahlberg (us) walks in panicked to which Ferrell asks, “Did that go the way you thought it was going to go?” and without giving Wahlberg a chance to respond he says, “Nope.” In this instance, this is God to us when we try and do things out own way. It’s meant to be funny, and it is, and also…it’s convicting. I am so quick to try and figure everything out my own way. I am sometimes so slow to sit down and let the Lord speak into areas of my life that need more of Him, less of me. My prayer as I am writing this is that I will have more faith, more dependence upon Him. That kind of faith has nothing to do with me and who I am, but it has everything to do with who He is and how much He loves me.
I was thinking of practical ways that I could increase my faith, slow down and trust in Jesus despite wanting to do things on my own, and I want to share ways I feel help me most.
Know Your Circle.
The character of those who you hang out with will rub off on you. If they are choosing to indulge in the things of this world, you will too. If they choose to go out most weekends, you will too. We were designed for community. We crave it. It is really hard in today’s world to find good community. Community that is uplifting, will pray for you when things are good and things are bad, community that will laugh with you and fellowship with you. But, it’s there. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” It’s the simple Truth and it’s also really hard. Find community through church, find community through small groups, find community through serving, and watch how the Lord will exceed your expectations in good, Godly friendships.
Get on Your Knees.
Our pride doesn’t want to let us fall on our knees. Our pride says we can do it ourselves and we don’t need to ask for help. I can’t tell you how many times that my pride has gotten in the way of me falling on my knees, and what was the end result? Failure, anxiety, shame. We are human, and we don’t want to admit we need help. But, we have a Savior who is jealous of our love and desires to help. We have a Savior who meets us on our knees in our rooms, exactly where we need to be met. “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Ephesians 3:14-17). “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 15:33). Falling on your knees in reverence to the Lord isn’t embarrassing or weird. It’s peaceful and humble. It is rewarding and comforting.
Meditate on Scripture.
The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any sword. I will never forget when I first learned in Revelation 19 that Christ isn’t actually holding a sword in His mouth, but rather He IS the sword and His Word is the power He will bring — and that we need. The Bible is extremely clear on whatever it is you are going through. Depression? There is Scripture. Death? There is Scripture. Relationships? There is Scripture. Knowing His Word is the power you have in combating the devil’s lies and defeating the enemy of your mind.
Serve.
You were given gifts. Maybe there is one gift you excel in. Maybe you’re really artistic. Maybe you give really good hugs. Maybe you love to write music. Maybe you can sit and listen intently. Whatever your gift(s) is, the Lord created you and them for such a time as this, for such a purpose as this. Because of who you are and the gifts the Lord has given you, you have the ability to meet a need that someone else might not have. 1 Peter 4:10-11 states, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.” Using your gifts to serve others, while you want it to be a blessing to them, might be a bigger blessing to you.
Welcome His Conviction.
I’ve been walking through conviction with the Lord and I feel like conviction gets a bad reputation, so I’m here to help change that a little for you. Someone told me the other day that the conviction the Lord gives you and me isn’t from a place of shame or disappointment, rather He gives us conviction because He LOVES us and He wants to see us live fully in His Spirit and all He has to offer. I read in 2 Timothy today, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (v. 16-17). How SWEET is Jesus to give us His word, and His Word to make us better. As believers, we are not called to BE Christ, we are called to be LIKE Christ, and if conviction is a part of that, I welcome it. So, if there’s an area in your life that you are feeling the Holy Spirit nudging you, allow Him to speak into that area and grow you. Gosh, He is a good Father and He loves you more than you know.
So, friend, I hope these points help steer you more towards your Heavenly Father. I hope you know that as humans, we will never, ever have perfect faith. As I mentioned, I’ve been convicted about various things in my life more and more, and that’s an area of growth for me. I hope that as you are increasing your faith, you remember that Christ is drawing nearer to you. He is closer than ever before, consistenly yearning for your heart. He is jealous for you. Thank goodness we serve a Father who wants to know us, correct us and make us more like Him.
Best,
Ellie.