Have you ever experienced a circumstance that created fear or worry within you? Has there been a time when you encountered a conversation that instilled in you doubt or confusion? Did a particular situation cause you to become disappointed or defeated? Did you answer “yes” to any of these questions? If so, please read on. . . .

Even though these are all emotions we experience as part of living in a fallen world, God never desires us to stay in the bondage of feelings such as doubt, fear, worry, confusion, disappointment or defeat. Although circumstances and situations in life can tempt us to invest in these feelings, circumstances in and of themselves cannot cause us to stay in them.

In 2 Corinthians 5:7 Paul reminds believers to live by faith rather than sight. The book of Hebrews defines faith for us in Chapter 11, verse 1: Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. When we choose to live by faith we place our confidence in the truth of God’s character and His Word and trust that both will be fulfilled in our lives. In contrast, a person who lives by sight relies only on what he or she can see, touch, or sense. While walking by faith enables us to stand firm on God’s trustworthy promises, walking by sight leads us to invest in uncertainty.

So, what practical steps can be taken to learn to walk by faith rather than sight?

  • Develop the habit of setting your mind on Jesus and His Word

Hebrews 12:2 states: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Through His victory over sin and death, Jesus provided for us a way to achieve personal victory—through faith in Him. Since the source of victorious faith is Jesus Christ, the author of Hebrews tells us to fix our eyes on Him.

  • Ask Jesus to help you recognize occasions when you are tempted to take your eyes off of Him

John 10:10 tells us: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. The enemy will work very hard to distract you from being Christ-focused. If he can succeed in tempting you to invest in thoughts focused on the circumstances of life, you will be distracted and potentially ineffective for Christ’s kingdom. On the other hand, Jesus conquered temptation and sin so you can overcome life’s challenges through faith in Him; thereby, experiencing life to the fullest.

  •  Ask God to enable you to place your confidence and trust in His promises during moments of temptation

Hebrews 10:35-36 encourages us: So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Learning to consistently walk by faith will take practice, persistence, and perseverance. The immediate reward of activating your faith is the confidence you have in knowing that you are walking according to God’s will and pleasing Him. Because God’s promises are trustworthy, walking by faith will always result in His promises being fulfilled in your life.

Won’t you choose to lay down fear, worry, and disappointment for the victory found in faith?