What does it look like for us to have weak faith? We have fear, anxiety, worry, uncertainty and doubts; we are double minded – sometimes believing and sometimes doubting. We trust in our own wisdom and strength. Does any of that sound like you? What does it look like for us to have strong faith? We have peace without doubts. We trust in the all wise and loving God who cares for us and works everything to our good. Does that sound like you? If you tend to have weak faith, let us consider how to have stronger faith.
I suggest that you start by looking around you at the creation of God. Romans 1:19-20 “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” What we see is too beautiful; it is too complex and shows obvious intelligent design rather than random chance and evolution. Research the wonders of God’s creation and appreciate what He has done. Believe firmly in your heart that God is and has done wondrous things.
Next, I suggest you read and re-read the Bible. Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Although the scripture says that faith comes by hearing, I also believe that faith comes by reading. Read about God’s creation. Read about how He dealt with mankind in the past. Read about the miracles that He performed. Read, for example, how He brought the plagues upon the Egyptians and parted the Red Sea for His people to escape through the sea by walking on dry ground. Read how He described Himself as in Exodus 34:6-7 “And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.’” Read about other miracles that He performed such as delivering Daniel from the den of lions and delivering the three Hebrews who were cast into the furnace of fire (Daniel chapters 6 and 3). Read the prophesies God delivered through His prophets and then read about how that many years later they were fulfilled completely. Read Hebrews chapter 11 of the many people of old who lived their lives in faith, trusting in God.
Read how God the Father sent His only Son to the earth to proclaim truth and how His Son Jesus performed many miracles. Matthew 11:5 “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Read about Jesus and what He taught and the things that He did. Read how He gave Himself to die on the cross to take the penalty for your sins. Read how He rose from the dead after three days and nights in the grave. Then He ascended to heaven where God has highly exalted Him. Read about the early church and how it spread throughout the known world. Read the teachings of the apostles. Read about His plan of salvation. Read the prophesies of what is to come and of the holy city where the righteous will dwell eternally with God the Father. Read and then meditate on what you have read; put the principles that you read about into your daily life. Seek God.
Take your unbelief to God. Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. In the Bible we read of those who needed stronger faith and they asked for it. On one occasion, a man brought his mute son to Jesus for healing. The man said to Jesus “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Mark 9:23-24 “Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’” And Jesus healed the child. Another time, the apostles asked Jesus for more faith. Luke 17:5 “And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’” It is entirely appropriate to ask God for more faith. Spend a lot of time in prayer. Be open and honest with God about your doubts, your failings, your desires, and your cares.
I suggest that you also keep a record of how God has worked in your life. Record how He blessed you; record how He answered your prayers. God sends His angels to help us. Hebrews 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” I am confident that many times we do not know how God helps us. But occasionally there is no other explanation but that God sent His angels to help us. Keep a record of God’s work in your life. This should build your faith.
Certain scriptures help me to have stronger faith. 1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” He really cares for me. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” I need to accept good things and bad things that come into my life and realize that He is going to make all those things work for my good. God knows what is happening; He is allowing it to happen. I just need to ask for wisdom, which He has promised in James 1:5, obey His leading, and have the faith that He will work it for my ultimate good.
Perhaps you know of other ways to strengthen faith. I share the above with you to encourage you to walk in faith and seek greater faith. May the grace and peace of God be with you.