IncreaseSample

Your Focus Will Determine Your Faith

In life, we go through many seasons, some smooth and some rough. When we are in the rough seasons, we tend to focus on the challenges, hardships, hurts, and even ourselves. I know I’ve been at a place in my life where I was going through a rough season, and I put all my focus on the hardship. The consequence of that decision was a decrease in faith rather than an increase.

In this challenging season, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma cancer. The doctors told us that the cancer was very aggressive and that it spread throughout his whole body. Based on the doctor's report, it wasn’t looking good.

Immediately, I allowed fear to take hold of me, and I did this by focusing on the diagnosis and my own emotional hurt. This decision led to a loss of faith, leaving me even more broken.

There is an example in the Bible that I believe we can all learn from about the consequences of focusing solely on a bad situation. One evening, Jesus left His disciples alone to pray, but before He left, He instructed them to get into a boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. That night, strong winds pushed against the boat, making it hard to sail. The disciples were already fearful because of the storm, but then they saw Jesus walking towards them on the water! At first, they assumed He was a ghost and grew even more fearful. Once they realized it was Jesus, Peter asked if he could walk to the Lord, and Jesus said, “Come”. Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water, focusing on Jesus, and started walking towards Him. The moment Peter stopped focusing on Jesus and began focusing on the rough waters, his faith wavered, and he began to sink. Jesus saved Peter from drowning and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Back to my story of my dad being diagnosed with cancer. Instead of focusing on the diagnosis and my emotions, I choose to focus on Jesus! My faith was increased as a result, and I am grateful to report that my dad is also 100% cancer-free! This year is a year of increase, and in order for our faith to increase, we have to intentionally focus not on the storms in our lives, but on the One who can save us from them. How do we do that? Romans 10:17 ESV says, “So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of God.” By reading the Bible daily and hearing from the Holy Spirit, we will focus on God. By doing this, the outcome will be increased faith!

Prayer

Father, I thank you for being with me through every season and storm I have gone through, am in, and will go through. You said that in this world we will have trouble, but that we should take heart, because you have overcome the world. When I am going through hard times, and my faith seems to be waning, please remind me to look to you before anyone or anything else. Help me not to forget to seek you daily in your word and to spend time with you in prayer, knowing that through the hearing of your word, my faith will be increased!

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!