What does it mean to have faith? Is it a man who is at the crossroads of his life, who is about to make a crucial decision, who closes his eyes and takes the next step forward? Is it the young girl in her dance recital, about to give her solo performance, who is utterly nervous about the thought of how the audience will react, and yet gulps down all those fears, takes a deep breath, and takes the stage? Or, is it a woman or a man coming out of a broken relationship filled with sadness and dried up from crying, yet still choosing to move forward with life and believe that there is still something or someone good out there for them? In her book The Hands of God, Judith Martin Alford sends out the message about the power of faith in believing in an omnipotent and infinite being whose love for His creation is evident through the many miracles and signs people witness in the world today. And it all starts with simply believing. It all starts with having faith.
What is Faith?
Faith has many definitions in different kinds of literature. But it all boils down to one simple definition; faith is a strong belief in something or a being without the need for strong apprehension or evidence. Faith is often equated to blind faith, similar to just following through with everything and anything without questioning. Different religions or philosophies have different takes on what it means to have faith.
The Christian Faith
Christianity talks about faith in following through in an act and believing and trusting in God’s promises. It is a faith based on the belief that man’s soul is saved through the resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This includes a willingness to go through suffering on behalf of another, or martyrdom, as a show of love for one’s neighbor and God, the ultimate commandment of Christianity. A declaration of the Christian faith is evident in the Apostle’s Creed, which professes a faith based on the supreme God, His Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the essence of the Holy Trinity. The faith described in the Bible is the belief that something good will happen for the person who has done something for another out of kindness, compassion, acts of righteousness, or love. That good can be a reward for the soul in the afterlife or, in other literature, can take place as good karma. Faith is also an assurance of man’s deepest desire, the longing to know God, hence the belief and conviction on things unseen. And as the Bible says in Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Why is Faith Important?
Often, a person goes through a “test of fire” in their lives. The test of fire could come in the form of suffering, anguish over a situation, or an obstacle that hinders a person’s accomplishment. During this time, faith plays an important role, especially when everything seems unbearable and the challenges seem to be something that cannot be overcome.
Faith is an internal strength, something that comes from the heart. Against all odds, when everything is said and done, and nothing seems to work, a person tunes in to the only strength left in them, surrendering to the belief that everything works out for the good of those who believe. Faith is that assurance that no matter what happens, no matter what the circumstances are, trust that a supreme being is looking out for the welfare of all mankind, that He loves his people, and is working out what is best for the person.
It is that “assurance” that people of faith hold on to. No matter what happens, God knows what’s best at the end of the day, and things will work out for the best of those who believe in Him. Just like the man at the crossroads, taking a leap of faith in making a decision. Just like the little girl overcoming her fear and taking the stage, believing in her passion for dancing. Just like the woman or man coming out of heartbreak, despite the overpowering sadness, still believes that there is still something good to look forward to in life. That is what having faith is all about.
The Damsel’s Files 