Fuel For Your Faith

“Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’” – Matthew 14:31

Have you stepped out in faith, in obedience to a word from God, and now it seems like a very bad idea? You may have quit your job in faith, to start a business, start a non-profit organization, a ministry, a project, or you decided to pursue a career, and now you are faced with so much difficulty, you feel like you are drowning. Well, you’re not alone. Apostle Peter once had the crazy idea of stepping out of a boat to walk on water, because Jesus said he could. It was not a publicity stunt or an action influenced by alcohol. It was faith in the word of Jesus.

The time was about 3am. The disciples were crossing the river in a boat to the town of Gennesaret, and there was a storm. Suddenly, Jesus appeared, walking on the water towards them, and they were so scared thinking it was a ghost. But Jesus calmed their fears, saying “Don’t be afraid. I am here.” It was in this environment that Peter makes his audacious request.

So Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus. Yours may not be as spectacular as walking on water, but you have had to make some very bold moves in response to a word from God. Now here’s the equalizer: whether it was a spectacular move or a simple one, every act of faith will attract a storm. Once you believe a word from God, you attract persecution and problems. (Matthew 13:21) The storms come to test the strength of your faith. Unfortunately, Peter began to panic at the sight of the strong wind and the waves, and he began to sink. Jesus, after reaching out and saving him, said, “You have so little faith.”

The problem is not the size of the storm or the challenge. The problem is the size of your faith. Yes, the storms are real. The business is struggling to take off in the midst of a pandemic. The symptoms of the sickness are real, the pain is real, the debt is real. But can you make God’s Word more real to you than your storm? Faith does not deny the reality of the storm, but it exalts God’s Word above it. If it feels like you are drowning, then it is time to fuel your faith. Just like with Peter, God is right there with you in the storm, and He’s bringing fuel for your faith.

There are three key ways God will strengthen your faith as you go through the storm.

1. A revelation of His word. The primary fuel for faith is the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) The more you hear God’s word, the more faith is built up in you. It may be through your personal study, through a sermon, or a time of worship, but a word of faith is coming your way.
2. Testimonies. If God has done it before, He can and He will do it again. Mary had a faith boost about her assignment to birth Jesus, when she heard that Elizabeth was pregnant. There are people who have experienced the help of God. As you feed your spirit with their testimonies, your doubts will wither and your faith will grow.
3. Pray in the Spirit. (Jude 1:20) Praying in the Spirit builds up your faith and opens you up to receive wisdom and direction for your next move.
4. Faith Partners. God will bring you people who will agree with you in faith, and strengthen you when you are weak. There are many doubters and naysayers, but your faith partners are coming. “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.” – Matthew 18:19

I pray that your faith will not fail, but you will be strengthened to overcome every storm, and walk into your rest and victory. You are more than a conqueror.