Dear Family and Friends,

God reminded us last week that regardless of the storms of life, He will never leave nor forsake us.

Knowing He is always with us is comforting. But there’s another step we can take!

We can grow our comforting belief in God into having so much confidence and faith in God, that nothing will ever bother us again.

Faith is sometimes mistaken as belief. They are not the same.

“…Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Belief is defined as the acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.

We normally don’t take action based on our beliefs.

Faith is belief taken to the next level.

Faith means having so much confidence, and being so assured, that we don’t hesitate to express our faith through our words, works and actions.

For example, I had eye surgery this past week. (If you notice any typos, it’s because I’m typing with o e eye closed.)

My research led me to believe in my surgeon’s skills. I expressed my faith by showing up.

There’s a story of Jesus and His disciples on a boat that teaches about faith… and what not to do in a storm.

“As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’ He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

‘Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.’”  Luke 8:23-25 NIV

In that one short question – Where is your faith? – Jesus teaches us two lessons about faith.

When Jesus asked where is your faith, He wasn’t saying they lacked faith.

Jesus was telling His disciples, “I can’t see your faith. I know you have faith, but it’s hidden. Where is it?”

Jesus was urging them to express their faith.

The disciples were panicking, afraid they were going to drown – Master, Master, we’re going to drown!

In asking where is your faith, Jesus was asking – “Where are you gazing? Why do you bother looking at the storm?”

Jesus was urging them to look away from the storm and instead, fix their eyes on Him.

In those times when life seems out of control, when it’s hard to imagine what the future holds, we are called to be different. To look away from the storms of life.

Yes, it’s hard to do. It’s unnatural. But the writer of Hebrews encourages us to,

“…run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

As this passage suggests, our run through life from belief to faith in Jesus is not quick and easy. And it’s been really stormy lately.

But let’s be encouraged to see all storms of life, not as storms but opportunities to practice keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.

And as we do, “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3 NIV

The world may seem like it’s out of control. But if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will see over and over again that He was, is, and will always be in control.

And, paraphrasing a line from C.S. Lewis, “…look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”

In love always,