It’s simple really, your faith just isn’t where it needs to be…
yet.
It’s ok. God can fix that!
I know we touched on this before but like I mentioned in part two: we need to reinforce our faith and that often takes repeating the lessons God has given us.
How to Refine Your Faith?
Pray.
If you rolled your eyes I totally get it!
I used to do that too even after I was saved because it was everyone’s answer to everything and it was annoying because I felt like I didn’t know how to pray in a way that actually fixed my problems.
It wasn’t until I started praying without expectations of myself that I finally stopped finding the suggestion of prayer so incredibly irritating. 😄
What I mean by “expectations of myself” is that I had expectations of how I was supposed to pray and often put a lot of pressure on how I prayed. God just wants your heart; he doesn’t need a performance. So if you’re like me and struggle with prayer my advice is just relax and just pray.
So,
Step one, pray (without expectations of yourself) that God be the cultivator of your faith. Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion”. Let God do His work.
Step two is similar, have a conversation with God by reading His Word. The New Testament is a great place to start building your faith but there are many what I like to call Faith Builders in the Old Testament as well.
Find scripture that enhances all 5 areas of your faith.
I rounded up a few in each area all in the OT:
Faith in God’s Power and Sovereignty-
These scriptures remind us that God is always in control and capable of what we are incapable of.
Genesis 18:14 – “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah despite their age)
Exodus 14:13–14 – “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” (Moses before the Red Sea)
Isaiah 40:28–31 – “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…”
Daniel 3:17–18 – “The God we serve is able to deliver us… but even if He does not…” (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)
Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah, Sovereign Lord, nothing is too hard for You.”
Faith in God’s provision for you-
God will provide for you (maybe not always in the way you want or expect but He will) these OT passages will strengthen your faith in the fact that God provides for your every need.
Genesis 22:13–14 – Abraham calls God Jehovah Jireh, “The Lord Will Provide.”
Exodus 16:4 – God provides manna from heaven.
1 Kings 17:14–16 – God provides for the widow of Zarephath through Elijah.
Psalm 23:1–3 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
Deuteronomy 8:3–4 – God sustains Israel in the wilderness.
Faith in His faithfulness to you-
Remember that God always keeps His promises.
Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that He should lie…”
Joshua 21:45 – “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed.”
Lamentations 3:22–23 – “Great is Your faithfulness.”
Psalm 89:8 – “Your faithfulness surrounds You.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 – “He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love…”
Faith through Trials and hardships-
These faith builders show you how God can and will strengthen His people in hardship.
Job 23:10 – “When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Habakkuk 3:17–19 – “Though the fig tree does not bud… yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”
Psalm 46:1–3 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”
2 Chronicles 20:15 – “The battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Faith in salvation and redemption through Christ-
These passages foreshadow Christ and show God’s long-term plan to save and restore humanity.
Genesis 3:15 – The first promise of a Savior.
Isaiah 53:5–6 – The prophecy of the suffering Servant.
Micah 5:2 – The prophecy of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem.
Ezekiel 36:26–27 – God’s promise of a new heart and His Spirit.
Jeremiah 29:11–13 – “For I know the plans I have for you…”
Now onto step three,
Step three is just as simple, apply the Word to your life by following the examples of those with great faithfulness, Jesus being the best of them!
Step four is even simpler than the rest, just rinse and repeat lol.
Seriously, that’s all you have to do.
Well…
Actually there is ONE more thing…
Be patient.
Scripture says,
“But as for me, I will watch in hope for the LORD, I will wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me”.—Micah 7:7
And
“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord”.—Psalm 27:14
The word patient (or wait) in Hebrew means to wait expectantly and actively. It’s an action word. You’re not just waiting but you’re waiting eagerly and hopefully. (A great word to do a word study on as it has an even deeper meaning)
So while you are putting in the work to practice your faith and actively be in fellowship with God make sure to wait patiently on the Lord to be the builder of your faith.
He will do what He has promised!
Your faith is a gift as well. One that’s easily passed up if you don’t receive it with intention.
Be aware of the status of your faith and if it slips or falters don’t be sluggish in reinforcing it!
Prayer for you
Lord, thank You for being the Author and Perfecter of my faith!
Please continue to build up my faith so it can be strong enough to withstand any kind of affliction spiritually or otherwise.
Help me to live limitlessly through my faith in You. Help me be just as faithful to You in the bad times as I am in the good times. I pray for a faith capable of moving mountains and that my faith reflects Your limitless power!
If there is any sin blocking the development of my faith please bring it to light and help me destroy it. Free me of any known or unknown sin shackles I’ve placed on myself and allowed the devil to use against me.
Break any chain and keep any weapon formed against me from prospering! Protect my faith as much as You grow it and make me a better reflection of Your Son Jesus.
In Jesus name I pray and give You all glory and thanks,
Amen.
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