According to Romans 12:3, God entrusts each of us with a measure of faith. He gives each of us this gift of faith because without faith, we cannot please Him:
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).
We must come to God believing first that He exists and second that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him. Most believers do not doubt God’s existence. What they doubt is the second part; they doubt God’s involvement with them on a personal level. They fear He won’t reward them. They doubt His goodness.
When we think like this, it causes us to hold back portions of our hearts and retain control of our lives. We do this because we are afraid. Fear torments us with questions: What if I earnestly and diligently seek Him and He doesn’t reward me? What if God rejects my efforts as not good enough? What if He asks for more than I can give Him?
We will always doubt God’s goodness in areas where we are not sure of His character. And doubt will cause us to bury what God has given us in the soil of unbelief. Nothing reproduces or multiplies in that environment; all remains lifeless and dormant.
Our faith is meant to be be used. Its purpose is not to accumulate things but to receive and grow in the knowledge of God. Faith is given to each of us that we might mentally grasp and learn to handle the goodness of God. It is given so that we may experience Him as a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
If you’re struggling to have faith, find a quiet place and pray with me:
Father God, I want to be a person of faith. Please show me Your goodness and love like never before. Help me to grow in the understanding of Your character so that doubt will have no place in my heart. I want to hear and heed You. Thank You for the grace that empowers me to grow in faith, and for Your peace in the process. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Adapted from Lisa Bevere’s The True Measure of a Woman: Discover Your Intrinsic Value and See Yourself as God Does (Charisma House, 2007).
