Let’s say you’ve just arrived home after a long day at work and in fifteen minutes you have to head out again for a dinner engagement.
No time to shower, but a quick “freshen-up,” a change of clothes, a brush through the hair, a touch-up of the make-up (for the women reading this!), and violá—you not only look more presentable, you actually feel more energized.
Such a scenario highlights a strategy we can apply in the spiritual realm as well. We can freshen up our faith. Sometimes all it takes is a new perspective, obtained in less than fifteen minutes!
For example, browse through the following quotes that offer notable perspectives on faith in God. See if your heart doesn’t liven up while reading one or two.
FAITH DEFINITIONS
“Faith is not about everything turning out OK. Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out”—Unknown.
“Faith isn’t the ability to believe, long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step”—Joni Eareckson Tada.
“Faith is letting down our nets into the transparent deeps of the Divine command, not knowing what we shall draw”—Francois Fenelon.
“Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right”—Max Lucado.
FAITH IN SPITE OF DOUBTS
“Trust God’s Word and his power more than you trust your own feelings and experiences. Remember, your Rock is Christ, it is the sea that ebbs and flows with the tides, not Him”—Samuel Rutherford.
“Feed your faith and your doubts will starve”—Debbie Macomber.
Hope is no less real because it seems small amid the darkness. Faith is no less yours to claim because you struggle against doubt” (Bodie and Brock Thoene, Take This Cup, 224).
“Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith”—Elisabeth Elliot.
FAITH IN SPITE OF TROUBLE
“Faith doesn’t always take you out of the problem, faith takes you through the problem. Faith doesn’t always take away the pain, faith gives you the ability to handle the pain. Faith doesn’t take you out of the storm, faith calms you in the midst of the storm”—Unknown.
Jeremiah [the biblical prophet] often felt terrible and he was treated terribly. He felt weak and often was near despair. In fact, he was always strong. His emotions often failed him, his faith always held fast”—Eugene Peterson, Run with the Horses, 57.
“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand”—Oswald Chambers.
“I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I cannot feel it. I believe in God even when he is silent”—Unknown.
FAITH INSPIRATION
“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible”—Corrie ten Boom.
“Face the future with expectancy. Believe that God will act in due time. He cannot lie, but he is not in a hurry . . . Thanking God that it will be so before it is so, that’s faith—Arnold Prater, Bonding with God, 81.
“Faith invites us into an enchanting journey—one marked by mysteries of divine beauty, holy courage, irrepressible hope, unending love”—Margaret Feinberg, Wonderstruck, 7.
“Faith is putting all your eggs in God’s basket, then counting your blessings before they hatch”—Ramona C. Carroll.
I pray these quotes did indeed freshen up your spirit with renewed faith.
Which one did you find most revitalizing? Why did it stand out to you? Please share in the comment section below!
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My favorite: “Faith is not about everything turning out OK. Faith is about being OK no matter how things turn out”—Unknown. I’ve had a lot of things not work out and a what a relief to know God was still in control.
Amen to that, Judy! Sometimes we get a glimpse of God’s good purpose when his plan turns out better than what we’d hope for. One day we will se that ALL his good purposes have turned out for the better (Isaiah 55:8-9)!
Amen.
Faith, faith, and more faith! These are wonderful, inspirational quotes–both from the Bible and from followers of Jesus. Wonderful collation of spiritual truths.
I’m so glad you found inspiration here, Linda! Praise God!
My favorite is, “Feed your faith and your doubts will starve”—Debbie Macomber. The more I read God’s Word, the stronger my faith becomes. 🙂
Couldn’t agree with you more, Nancy. Slaying the darts of doubts with the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) is just one of MANY wonderful reasons to delve into God’s Word. To read the Bible is to revive the soul (Psalm 19:7).
Thank you for sharing these quotes. Each one has a special meaning. Have a blessed day! 🙂
You’re welcome, Melissa. So glad you found the quote meaningful!
At this point in my spiritual journey, I’m so attracted to the quote by Ramona C. Caroll. We can only be optimistic when we believe that God is the source of our every blessing. My first day of cancer treatment was today, and I’m assured that the Lord was, and will continue to be, in it all.
Blessings, Nancy!
Your positive, faith-filled attitude will contribute greatly to your healing, Martha. You are in my prayers!
Great post, Nancy. God knew that our faith would always need to be refreshed. That’s why He gave us His Word and the Holy Spirit!
Absolutely, Sheila. I’m thinking also that God has provided quite a few ways to refresh our faith: worship, music, conversation with other believers, and time spent in nature. There are probably more! We’re wise to avail ourselves of all of them, but especially the two you mentioned, God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.
Really liked “Trust God’s Word and his power more than you trust your own feelings and experiences.” And ‘Feed your faith and starve your doubts.’
Thank you Nancy. I read your post at a time when I felt doubt and uncertainty about something creeping up. Was praying and then after, I read this and it was like a confirmation for me on where I need my focus to be.
Praise God he used this post to minister to you, Manu. That warms my heart! I’m not surprised that the two quotes related to God’s Word are the ones that would catch your attention. You have such a passionate heart for Bible study!
I know we both love quote and this is such a rich list – yes very refreshing for freshening up our faith! Thank you
Everyone needs to freshen up their faith once in a while! So glad you found richness here, Jean.
I loved Elisabeth Elliott’s quote: Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith. I’ve had to remind myself of that truth quite often over the past two months. I so appreciate these faith-filled encouragements this morning, Nancy.
Praise God these quotes ministered to you, Patty. Elisabeth Elliiot radiated wisdom, didn’t she? I love her writings.
My Favourite from the ones you listed: “Jeremiah [the biblical prophet] often felt terrible and he was treated terribly. He felt weak and often was near despair. In fact, he was always strong. His emotions often failed him, his faith always held fast”.
It is so easy to be deceived by our own emotions. Remembering that they are not the ultimate source of truth is very important when we feel we are getting carried away.
I agree Anna. It’s important to remind ourselves that emotions cannot always be trusted. Also valuable to remember: grief, hurt, frustration, and other negative emotions are not sinful. What matters is what we do with them: we take them to God and ask for his help in dealing with them. Jeremiah clung to God through all he endured, in spite of feeling weak and near despair. There are some circumstances when we simply can’t be sunbeams–at least for a time. But we CAN look forward to God’s perfect plan for the future, a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11), a hope that produces joy.
Thank you for sharing these quotes, Nancy!
I love them all, but this one struck a chord…
Faith doesn’t always take you out of the problem, faith takes you through the problem. Faith doesn’t always take away the pain, faith gives you the ability to handle the pain. Faith doesn’t take you out of the storm, faith calms you in the midst of the storm”—Unknown.
Once we’ve dealt with a few problems in life, a bit of pain, and some stormy circumstances, we can shout AMEN to the truth of that quote! In retrospect, we’re so much better off for stretching our faith through the challenges than we would be if our lives were idyllic. I know I’d quickly become spoiled! But praise God he ministers to us in numerous ways as we navigate difficulty!
Amen!
Wonderful post on ‘freshening up’ our faith! I loved the quote by Margaret Feinberg, about ‘Faith being an enchanting journey…” All of these passages from scripture and the quotes were so very uplifting. I think this might be one of my favorite posts from you!!! It is hard to say…I like so many!
Praise God this post was so meaningful for you, Linda. That warms my heart!
Nancy, these are wonderfully refreshing and remarkable in what they remind me of in God’s truth. Things I know are true but don’t often consider when I’m going through a hard time. Thanks for making the connections for us.
I agree–we can read things we already know are true, but the way the author/poet expresses it, in the context of our present experience, gives us fresh delight. I’m glad these quotes did that for you, Dayle!
These quotes did indeed freshen up my spirit with renewed faith!
Also, I’d like to share that I am more peaceful and joyful these days. And I believe that my faith has grown.
With the Lord’s help I have accomplished this by limiting my exposure to the news. (Not putting my head in the sand, but overexposure is not good for me.)
Instead, I’ve been doing a lot of reading, mostly John Grisham books. And in the car, I am either listening to CD’s or the American Family Radio station.
Worrying about things accomplishes nothing; but we are only human and need to allow the Holy Spirit to calm our souls.
As you indicated, the very best outcome of every concern is in God’s hands.
And I know that Peace and Joy requires a daily renewal of our active faith in our Savior.
So glad you’re experiencing more peace and joy, Cheri! I’m not familiar with the American Family Radio station. I’ll have to check that out! Keep looking up, my friend–I know our heavenly Father smiles down on you!