Life is about choices, and there are just two ways to make them. We can trust our own wits, or we can put our faith in guidance from outside ourselves.
Guidance from outside might come from trusted family and friends, counselors, self-help books, and God. But only one source offers infallible wisdom every time: God.
The question becomes, will we live a life of faith with God [1], or will we choose to live without?
As a child I chose the former and never regretted it. Many of you have walked a similar path.
Sometimes, though, we get weary. Doubts creep in. Problems crop up like weeds and answers to life’s dilemmas don’t come as quickly as we’d like.
What then?
There are a number of faith-building actions you’re probably familiar with, including: praise and gratitude to God, scripture study, prayer, as well as spending time with mature and wise Christians.
You know what else is helpful? Studying the facets of faith. As we deepen our understanding of how faith works, we enhance our connection with God, increase our usefulness, and experience more contentment in life.
No doubt there are quite a few facets to our faith, but today we’ll briefly look at just eight.
FAITH IS:
Affirmation of What We Know
God would have us understand he is righteous, good, faithful, and compassionate [2].
He never forsakes those who seek him. He arms us with strength and keeps our way secure. God guides us along the right path, and surrounds us with his unfailing love [3].
In the book of Psalms alone you’ll find hundreds of such encouraging affirmations as these, highlighting who God is and the glorious things he does. It’s a delight-of-discovery to seek them out [4].
Faith grows depending on what it is fed.
–Unknown
And affirmation of God’s character is a beneficial first course.
Attentiveness
Faith is seeing light with your heart
when all your eyes see is darkness.
–Barbara Johnson
And where might we find that light? In the presence of God and in the encouragement and promises of scripture that fill our hearts with the light of hope [5].
Confidence
As we practice affirmation and attentiveness, we build confidence in the truth that God will do what is right when the time is right, though for now we may see no sign of it.
Courage
Confidence in God fuels our courage to trust without proof, to thank God in advance (even before there’s evidence of anything happening), and to step into the unknown.
Faith is taking the first step even when
you don’t see the whole staircase.
–Martin Luther King, Jr.
Empowerment
Be inspired by what Charles Spurgeon wrote decades ago:
Faith links me with divinity.
Faith clothes me with the power of God.
Faith engages on my side
the omnipotence of Jehovah.
Faith insures every attribute of God in my defense.
–Charles Spurgeon
With almighty God on our side, what have we to fear [6]?
Expectancy
And surely, such an attitude will contribute joyful up-timism [7] in our spirits.
Rest
Faith invades the muddle; it does not eliminate it.
Peace develops in the midst of chaos.
Harmony is achieved slowly, quietly, unobtrusively. . .
Such clarities result from courageous commitment to God.
–Eugene Peterson, Run with the Horses, 194-195
When we trust without reservation we find peace and rest.
Waiting
Without the discipline of wait-time, our faith would remain underdeveloped. This facet provides opportunity for strength of spirit to grow [8]. And we can take comfort from the knowledge that:
While we are waiting on God,
we are waiting with God.
–Lou Giglio
As we live life with him we’ll find:
- Affirmation, attentiveness, and waiting will grow our faith.
- Confidence, courage, and empowerment will result from our faith.
- Expectancy and rest will flow from our faith.
I can’t imagine making any other choice than living life with God.
How about you?
[1] Life with God is precipitated by accepting Jesus’ glorious invitation into God’s family (John 1:12).
[2] Psalm 7:17; 13:6; 31:5; 51:1
[3] Psalm 9:10; 18:32; 23:3; 32:10
[4] See the post, https://nancyaruegg.com/2025/01/16/celebrating-god-through-the-psalms/
[5] Psalm 146:5
[6] Psalm 27:1
[7] See the post, https://nancyaruegg.com/2022/10/06/better-than-optimism/
[8] Isaiah 40:31
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Those of us who have gone through hard seasons WITH Christ by our sides and supporting us have learned that we can ALWAYS depend on Him.
AMEN, my friend! That might make an interesting journal entry, answering the question: How has God supported you during hard seasons? I can remember times when scripture, songs, or a statement from my reading spoke directly to my need. I’ve felt his presence. I’ve felt the burden of concern grow lighter as a sister in Christ has prayed over me. The list could continue! I’m sure you could make a similar list, Linda.
After trusting God for all these years, knowing He always comes through in His divine timing, I can’t imagine how I could live any other way. I really enjoyed the eight facets of faith that you shared here, Nancy. Each word encompasses so much promise and hope in our lives. Thanks and blessings!
Thank you, Martha. Review of a few of the riches we enjoy in Christ always encourages the spirit!
These are really good and so important. I like how you referred to them as facets of our faith.
I recently finished writing a memoir and in it I wrote, “Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope when we turn to God, all of these spiritual fruits help pave a path of praise.” Do you think that’s accurate—that all three (perseverance, character, and hope) can be referred to as spiritual fruits?
Thank you, Alicia. And congratulations on finishing your memoir. Talk about perseverance! As for your question, in my humble(!) opinion, I think the three traits you mention–perseverance, character, and hope–can be considered fruit of the Spirit. Perseverance would be a manifestation of self-control (the last fruit of the Spirit mentioned by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23), character would include love, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness as well as self-control (from the same passage), and in Romans 15:13 he says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Speaking of hope, I hope that helped!
Yes that helps, thank you!!! I appreciate your wisdom which is easy to pick up on from your posts. I was causing myself to doubt that I could use those three together and refer to them all as spiritual fruits because I thought of Galatians 5:22-23 and of course perseverance and character aren’t listed there. It made me begin to question myself. Sometimes my black and white thinking gets in the way!!🤪
I’m so glad these thoughts helped you, Alicia. We can both praise God for his inspiration–and his wisdom! (Proverbs 2:6)!
Nancy,
It’s only death without him. Being unplugged only ruins the precious life we have. Make the most of it.
Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Amen, Gary. Love the way you expressed that. God IS the only way to truly make the most of life!
Choose life not death. Only choices.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
this post is full of wisdom and a keeper. One to copy and put in our journal for future reference. Thank you Nancy!!
Thank you Jean for your encouragement. As a blogger yourself, you know how some posts practically write themselves and some are more of a struggle. This one belongs to the latter group! Praise God he took my stumbling efforts and created something that ministered to you!
Sweet reminders of all Christ’s provisions for the peace of His own.
And we’ve only scratched the surface, right? I’m glad this post provided sweet reminders for you, RH.
well said, and love that list Nancy. Each aspect of Faith would make a helpful 10 week small group discussion and discovery.
Thank you, Gary. I’ll put your suggestion in the idea file. (Oh for more hours in the day . . . !) Maybe I’ll revisit each of these facets of faith in upcoming posts.
I’m so grateful for the faith we have received from Jesus and His sacrifice for us. Where would we be, who would we be without Him? I shudder to think. I find such peace and hope in who He is. When all is said and done, He is our everything.
Sabbath blessings to you, dear Nancy.
I’ve often asked the same question, Linda: Where would I be without Jesus? I too shudder to think what the consequence would have been if I’d lived solely by own foolish desires. Granted, even as Christian I’ve committed many sins, but God has kept me from straying too far, and he’s often used my poor choices to teach important lessons. He IS our everything, just as you say!
Thank you for presenting the many facets of faith, Nancy. Your passion for the Lord shines through your posts-I just love your zeal! 🙂
Praise God you see passion for God in these posts, Nancy. I DO love my Heavenly Father, and revel in the time I can spend with him, making new discoveries–even about a familiar topic such as faith!
Regarding FAITH, I read in my devotions today that spiritual dry spells happen to all of us. Acknowledging your frustration is proof of your faithfulness. I think many of us go through times when we don’t ‘feel’ that closeness with God. In Psalm 63, David writes from the wilderness of Judah, likely while fleeing from his enemies. Despite being in a literal desert, he expresses this beautiful, honest longing for God: “My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” David acknowledges his spiritual thirst while simultaneously expressing his determination to seek God.
I especially appreciated your section on courage.
“Confidence in God fuels our courage to trust without proof, to thank God in advance (even before there’s evidence of anything happening), and to step into the unknown.”
You’re so right, Cheri, spiritual dry spells happen to all of us. Over the years I’ve so appreciated the wisdom of Kay Arthur for facing such desert times: “We must wrap ourselves in His blanket of faith and our confidence in His Word; we must steep ourselves in His Word and cling to His promises. . . What God is doing is not without purpose, and when He does break the silence, our relationship with Him will be more treasured than before” (His Imprint, My Expression, Harvest House Publishers, 1993, p. 39). I love the aspect of hope she brings to the experience–so vital for perseverance!