FAITH – NOT DENIAL OR DETERMINATION

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal – 2 Corinthians 4:18

Faith is not DENYING physical reality. Faith is not PHONINESS. Faith is not “emotional escapism” – pretending you don’t have a problem when you do, or that you are not hurting or in pain, when you are. It’s not saying, “I’m happy” when you’re really groaning and grieving inside. Faith is facing the facts without being depressed or downcast by them, knowing that God is greater than the problem and that His Word is more real than feelings and symptoms. Faith is facing reality without being disheartened by it, knowing that God changes situations and He has promised never to leave nor forsake you (Heb.13:5). Moreover, the spiritual reality of faith is superior to every physical reality!

The key is to look beyond your circumstances and situations: “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). It all depends on where you are focused.

- Focusing on the world will bring only distress and discouragement. The world is submerged in problems. There are problems everywhere! Those you may want to look up to are wading through their own challenges.
- Focusing on self, you are likely to be depressed, because there are many issues demanding answers in your life.
- Focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ will give you REST: “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your Faith…” (Heb.12:2). He has given all an open invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt.11:28).

Faith is also not FANTASY. Those who are afraid to face the reality often end up building their lives on fantasy. You can raise your family on faith, but not on fantasy. You can build your business on faith, but not on fantasy. You can build a life on faith, but not on fantasy. When you start concentrating on life’s problems, you may be sunk; but if you begin to look unto Jesus – your Deliverer – rather than the difficulty, you’re bound to come out on top!

Finally, faith is not just SELF-DETERMINATION, though faith must be determined, focused and resolute. Faith is not mere stubbornness. It does not try to ‘twist’ God’s hands to have Him act outside of His Will and Word. Self-determination and hollow ‘confessions’ devoid of Heart CONVICTION are unproductive and could be dangerous. Some have died prematurely due to ignorance and foolish presumption misconstrued as faith. Some, based on a Church doctrine, refused to use drugs or to allow blood transfusion, and ended up dead. They assumed that they were holding on to God’s Word, whereas it was all in their head, not from their heart. Faith thrives on evidence in the heart that is born of and based on the Word of God.