Let Faith Surround You

How do we have faith in all circumstances? Our faith is continuously cultivated throughout our experiences if we pay attention and are in tune with what God is doing in our lives. But what about those times that we just need more? When your own faith is being tested by your particular circumstance- your ‘era,’ if you will. This is when your surroundings are essential.

In the bible, there are times that show our role models of faith. Hebrews 11 showcases all the examples of faith. (read Hebrews 11). It is encouraging to read. What made these people so faithful to God? Was it easy for them? Could they just do it naturally? I say no. Abraham went to the point of almost sacrificing his son. That is not an easy ‘decision.’ However, what builds our faith is our experiences and seeing that God is even more faithful back to us. With Abraham, He provided a ram caught in the bushes, once He saw that Abraham was being obedient to His voice. (Genesis 22)

God still does this for us today. Faith and obedience go together. The more obedient we are, the more our faith is perfected. 

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:2

However, just as for the days of old, faith, and especially obedience, are not always easily obtained. In these moments, those who surround will support your faith. Your circle is essential to the building of your faith. We all need believers surrounding us to lift us up when our faith is depleted. It is okay when your belief is lacking for the moment. Not your belief in God, but just in what your prayers and hopes are. We are human, and life is hard. There are times that we just can’t grasp and hold on. This is when Jesus is cradling us like a child, and our group around us is holding us up. 

Moses also needed the people around him. It was a physical act; they helped him carry out what God had instructed him to do. 

The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. Exodus 17: 9-13

Aaron and Hur physically supported Moses’ obedience, and showed their faith that supported Moses' faith. This is exactly what we still need today. We need a circle of believers that will hold us up, whether supporting us in our obedience with encouragement and accountability, or also interceding our faith with prayer. 

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Recently, my husband and I were looking for a house for our family. There were things I wished for, but of course with the quest of a house, there has to be flexibility. I have a group of women I meet with for bible study, plus a leader of a bible study group on Sunday, and a couple dear friends of believers. I had everyone praying for our house. I felt confident God would answer our prayers, but I wanted to make sure it was aligned with His will for us. All of my friends also understand this, which is why I asked them to pray. I had no idea how God would blow our minds with how he blessed our family. After lots of looking, we found one that piqued our interest. It seemed great, so we made an offer. We made several offers, actually. The offers were not accepted, and went under contingency with another buyer. I thanked God for answering my prayer that if it wasn’t right, the deal would not go through, and went on my way looking for another option. Surprisingly, after a couple weeks, the house came back on the market. I was still heavily interested, so we made another offer, again asking God to not let it go through if not for His will. 

Pause. Here's the other thing. If we allow it, our subconscious is connected to the Spirit. When you feel uneasiness in your belly, or if your heart is pumping with expectation and excitement- that can be God speaking. Different from emotions, these are subconscious body responses that I believe are aligned with the Spirit talking to us. When we are in tune with God, meeting Him daily in prayer, reading, and getting teachings from the bible, we come to understand those subtle whispers. So in that sense, I did not feel obstruction from God to make a new offer. I also believe that God does not bless laziness. We can’t just sit around and wait for the blessings. You have to make moves. God can make them happen or not, when we ask for His will. So I made a move. After our next offer, it was accepted! In the back-and-forth that is with buying a house, we finally settled on an agreement and went under contract. I could not believe it. Something that felt like was not going to happen, was happening. The house that had become unavailable previously, was now within our grasp.

This experience built my faith so much because I had so many people praying, including myself. Rather than agonizing about it night and day, I trusted that the right thing was going to happen, because so many godly people were bringing it before God. Don’t miss this. It wasn’t just my prayers; my own, perhaps, begging of God for the right thing to happen- it was a group of people that understand God and could balance out my hopes and dreams with their interceding prayers. With the disappointments, they could hold me up, encourage me during the continuous uncertainty, and help my perspective of the situation. What could feel hopeless to me, was certain in others’ minds of what God had planned. One of my dear friends spoke it out, and said, “This is your house! God has it for you!” Another friend said, “God will make a way!” These are the people that breathe life into your faith. 

I know it can sound trivial, the buying of a house, compared to what some of you are going through. But our faith will become stronger and we start to trust Him with the little things, and grow into the bigger things. He can speak life into you when you let people surround you and hold you up, letting THEIR faith feed your own faith. One day, you will be the person holding someone else up. It is all built on purpose so that God can perfect our faith, to help others down the road. This is the kind of faith that can pass on through the generations, for,

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5

If you need any more encouragement for your faith, know this:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Put it into practice:

• Get involved with a church. When you find one that you feel comfortable going to regularly, join a small group. This is essential to having a support group. It takes time, but the relationships will grow, and eventually you will be able to have that group of people surrounding you, covering you with their faith, and yours to them.

• Meet with God regularly. You will start to understand how His Spirit speaks to your spirit, and the body reactions that you can be in tune with His speaking. Like any relationship, you can only know that person by meeting with them.

• Read the bible. This can also include books that help you understand the bible. In this way, you begin to understand God’s character, and you will know when He is speaking to you. 

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011

The Holy Bible: New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson. NB: 1982

Access your bible from anywhere. BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages. (n.d.). https://www.biblegateway.com/ 

I am not a Bible scholar or preacher, I am just a girl who loves Jesus. This is my interpretation of things I have learned. I hope it can encourage you and lead you to the bible to see the truth for yourself. :-)