FAITH - the Believer’s Currency
by Victoria Thornton - FindingGodsWill.com
If you are familiar with our site you probably notice that the subject of faith is often discussed more than any other topic. The reason why I try to cover different aspects of faith because (other than getting saved) learning how to operate by faith is one of the most important topics you'll ever need to learn.
Learning to operate by faith will not only help you receive the mate God has for you but all the blessings and provision given to us by God. Until faith is mixed with the Word of God, it remains only words printed on a page. But praise God, He has provided us with a way to receive His blessings and it is received through faith. Faith is the tool we use to manifest it into our reality.
Just as the dollar is the medium of exchange in the U.S. and the euro is the medium of exchange in Europe; as children of God we too have a medium of exchange to get the things we need from God. As believers operating in the kingdom of God, faith is like currency we use to get those things.
In 2Peter 1:3, the Bible states that God has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. So God has already given us everything we need. He has already provided for us and we take advantage of what He has done for us through faith.
Since faith is so important, we will discuss some of the signposts of faith. There are signs to watch out for to tell you when your faith is weak and about to falter and there are signs that will let you know when your faith is strong.
Being aware of these signs will help you navigate around certain pitfalls and common obstacles to faith and possibly see the manifestation of your mate sooner.
For instance, if you've ever been around someone with watery eyes, a stuffy nose, coughing, and sneezing, then you know that they may be getting sick. It may be something as simple as the common cold nevertheless you can see the signs.
Just like the common cold is preceded by symptoms-- letting you know you are getting sick --your faith when it's about to falter has symptoms that precede it letting you know it's about to falter.
Symptoms, that if you knew what they were, you could stop them in their tracks. Therefore, being able to recognize symptoms of weak faith has great benefits:
1. It could save you time.
2. Break the cycle of having to start over each time your faith fails.
It Could Save You Time
It could save you time because if you are skilled at knowing that your faith is growing weak, (by recognizing the signs) you can do something about it before it's too late. As you recognize the signs of weak faith, you could put a stop to it immediately and prevent your faith from being nullified.
Stop Starting Over Again
Second, by maintaining high levels of faith (because you know what to look for) you can once and for all put a stop to having to start over and over again to believe for your mate. You can maintain a high level of faith that will sustain the course of time it takes to see the manifestation.
Otherwise, allowing these symptoms to take root and fester in your heart will only delay the manifestation of your mate or kill your faith altogether. And once your faith is dead you will have to begin again believing for your mate.
So what are the symptoms of weak faith?
The 3 most prevalent signs that your faith is about to falter are weariness, discouragement and the desire to give up.
There are more but these three are the main killers of faith. These are the symptoms of weak faith letting you know that your faith is in free fall spiraling down.
And just like the common cold, if you fail to resist these symptoms at the initial onset, you may end up suffering weeks, months and even years or losing your faith entirely. As believers, just as we are called to resist sickness from entering our body, we can resist the failing of our faith by stopping it when we see these symptoms.
The first defense in resisting weariness, discouragement and the desire to give up is to know they are simply preceding signs or symptoms that your faith is growing weak. Knowing that they are only signposts are half the battle.
Knowing is half the battle.
Knowing ahead of time that the bear coming at you is only your friend dressed in a bear costume decreases the chances of you being alarmed. Instead of activating the fight or flight response, you would probably burst into laughter seeing how ridiculous your friend looks.
So with weariness, discouragement and the desire to quit, if you knew ahead of time that these negative emotions are just signs telling you your faith is getting weak, you would probably resist it and get busy stirring your faith up.
Next, realize that these symptoms do not come as a result of happenstance. If you could see these negative feelings as the enemy attacking your mind and emotions with negative thought patterns, you would be in a better position to resist them.
Many believers don't realize that the negative thoughts plaguing their minds did not originate from them. Many don't see that they are entertaining thoughts that the enemy planted in their minds that they have adopted as their own. Thoughts that have them looking at their circumstances over the Word of God. If satan can successfully get you to take your eyes off the Word and onto the circumstances, he knows discouragement and doubt will be the natural result.
Peter learned this lesson in the middle of the sea as he walked to Jesus. In Matthew 14:30, Peter started out with strong faith. His faith was so strong that he successfully walked on the water, but after seeing the boisterous wind he became afraid. As a fearful Peter set his eyes on the circumstances, it sapped his faith and caused him to sink.
So the next time, you are faced with the desire to quit -- entertaining thoughts such as “it's never going to happen; I can't do this anymore; I might as well quit”. Know that you are under attack. Choose to see them for what they really are…just negative thoughts whispered to you by the enemy to get you to quit. Instead of letting these thoughts take root in your heart, resist them with the Word of God. Command them to stop and they will (2Cor 2:5). Then get in the Word to build your faith back up.†
