Faith? Easy!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:1 (KJV)

Faith is easy when you are well, and don't need to be healed. Faith is easy when you have enough for your family, and don't need food. Faith is easy when you are IN the boat, and don't have to step out into the unknown. Faith is easy when your children are healthy, and you don't fear disease. Faith is easy when you sit opposite the doctor and he tells you the result is negative. Faith is easy when you sit in church thinking about roast beef, and don't have to worry about the hunger of foreign children. Faith is easy when the police don't come to your door to tell you your child is held in a cell, undergoing a drugs test. I could go on, but do you get the idea?

The verse above has words in it, like 'hoped for' and 'not seen'. How vague is that? How can we have faith when the whole idea is cloaked in doubt? If you have ever been in a situation where you needed to feel and see God, and exercise your faith, but couldn't, you will understand how empty these negative words can sound.

But take another look at the verse. It also has words like, 'substance' and 'evidence', and these are very positive words. Words we want to hear, and at times, need to hear. When times are tough, these are the sentiments you want to feel, and let's face it, as God's children, we can.

I think there is a veil between the way we see things in our humanity, and the way God sees things in His wisdom. We think 'hope for' and He thinks 'substance'. We think 'unseen' and God thinks 'evidence'. So, the lesson is clear. When our faith is tested, and we have doubts, we must bear in mind that we only see part of the image. God sees the bigger picture, and so can add the substance and evidence to ease our human doubt.

So, when things get out of your own control, try handing it over to the one who knows the end from the beginning. The one who can fill in the blanks in your life. Later on, when you are in the better position of being able to look back, you will maybe just be able to make out the faint form of your Saviour 'standing somewhere in the shadows'. I trust you will not have to go through a long valley, before you see that welcome shadowy form! Take heart, faithful ones, the way out of your difficulty is near, and certain.