“Our greatest problem in suffering is unbelief.”— Geoff Thomas
“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away your ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”— Corrie ten Boom
“Believe God’s Word and power more than you believe your own feelings and experiences. Your Rock is Christ. It isn’t that Rock that ebbs and flows; it’s your sea.”— Samuel Rutherford
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
Never imagine that life in a fallen world will be problem-free. The title “overcomer” is reserved exclusively for those who have overcome obstacles, difficulties, and adversity. They have risen above their problematic situations. Don’t wait for things to smooth out. Scripture teaches that born-again people possess the power to conquer unfavorable circumstances and that it is not their determination to gut it out, but their faith, that triumphs over the world and its problems.
Faith is confidence in God. Unbelief is confidence in something else. Every decision in life is based on either faith or doubt. The man who doubts is weak and lacks motivation. He sits listlessly afloat in his adversity. But the faith-filled person is energized. His confidence in God and his God-given mission imparts purpose, passion, and strength to him.
Faith is the greatest empowering force known to man and can conquer any obstacle. The things that have been accomplished “by faith” are astounding. Historically, the sun stood still, the heavens withheld rain, a Man walked on water, sickness was cured, dead were raised, and a host of miracles all took place because of faith. Rehearsing these mighty acts will strengthen your faith. And your bolstered faith will improve your spiritual, emotional, and physical vitality. Your faith-life gives vim and vigor to your soul and body.
Faith is also one of the greatest motivators and enablers of achievement. Caleb was up in years physically, but strong and youthful in spirit. He may have been 85 years old, but he was bursting with faith. His body was in the wilderness, but his heart was in the Promised Land. He stood above his brethren who were terrified by the giants and walled cities. His unbelieving comrades were talking defeat and retreat, but not Caleb. His vision gave him courage and drive. He was ready to occupy the land, and he made it into Canaan while his unbelieving countrymen perished in the wilderness. It was his faith for a better day that empowered him in the midst of a murmuring multitude.
Like Caleb, you need a mental photograph of your future. Your memory is a rerun of your past, but your imagination is a pre-play of your future. People hang pictures and photographs in their homes to remind them of their past. Why not dedicate a room or a dream-wall in your home with pictures of your desired future? Let it be your “imaginarium.” Put images of things you want to happen on that wall. If you can sustain a mental picture of something you want to see accomplished, you will find a way to see it happen. Dare to dream big! Because big dreams inspire faith and stir energy.
Triumph is a way of life, not an isolated incident. Habitual faith means getting into and staying in “Faith Mode.” That means maturing to the point where faith is your first response. The three Hebrew children developed their faith-walk to the point that they could say, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods” (Dan. 3:17–18). They possessed total confidence in God. Habitual Faith, learned in the classroom of life, is the key in the fight for spiritual momentum.
A wise person said, “If there is a great trial in your life today, do not own it as defeat, but continue by faith to claim the victory through Him who is able to make you more than a conqueror. And a glorious triumph will soon become apparent. Let us learn that, in all the hard places our Father brings us into, He is making opportunities for us to exercise such faith in Him as will bring about blessed results and greatly glorify His Name.”
Thought Questions:
- Are you reading your Bible and rehearsing God’s mighty acts in history in your mind?
- Are you dreaming big and sustaining a mental picture of what you want to see accomplished?
- Have you made it your practice to develop a habitual faith?
Taken from “Extraordinary Strength in Adversity” by Harold Vaughan. CLICK HERE for more information on the book.
