Someone has said: “Faith is not faith until it’s everything that you’re holding on to.” When Jesus Christ is the entire focus of your life, He will be everything that you’re holding on to.
Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be known to God.” Therefore, as Christians, we have no cause for anxiety, fear, or uncertainty when our faith is grounded in Christ.
It is important that we give God praise and thanksgiving for everything every day. Do not expect more if you are not thankful for what you have. It is by faith that we can believe without any doubts that God will give us what is best for us.
In our culture of cynicism today, we often fail to see how God provides for our daily needs—how He supports and encourages us and gives us provision and blessings (James 1:17).
When things are going wrong in your life—finances depleted, loss of job, illness, and other disappointments—be assured that God knows your troubles. Do not give up or quit. Rest assured, search your soul, pray, and believe. With God’s help, the best times are just ahead of you.
Fear paralyzes us into inaction. But faith motivates us into action. In life, whether we fail or succeed, acting by faith in God is the only way to break the bond of fear.
Believe in Him like you’ve never believed before. Trust in Him like you have never trusted before. Divine power is released when we move and act. Do it now. The goal here is not faith and works, but rather, faith that works by love.
The Spirit of Prophecy encourages us with the following thought: “The heavenly intelligences will work with the human agent who seeks with determined faith that perfection of character which will reach out to perfection in action. To everyone engaged in this work Christ says, I am at your right hand to help you.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 332.
Some practical ways to increase faith:
• Read the Scriptures every day. Faith comes from reading, hearing, and listening (Romans 10:17).
• Exercise your faith by acting, doing.
• Don’t be afraid to embrace life’s trials. According to the apostles Peter (1 Peter 1:3-9) and Paul (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4), adversity and trials create greater faith.
• Develop a personal relationship with God by having a regular prayer life.
• Seek out the personal testimonies of others. Faith grows by hearing how God has acted in other people’s lives.
• Practice obedience. Growth takes time, commitment, and dedication.
And remember, if you feed your faith, it’ll starve your fears.
My wife, Lois, and I wish for you during this New Year of 2014, that the light of faith will burn brightly and steadily and, even if a wind or storm makes it flicker or flutter, may it never fail.
Donald G. King is president of the Atlantic Union Conference and chairman of the Atlantic Union College Board of Trustees.