Enduring Faith

Faith, Being Sure of What We Hope For

This past year has been a whirlwind of heartbreaking news. There are moments that I feel like I am just getting beaten and pounded into the ground. I have shared some of the painful things that have happened to me personally, but I have also received “bad news” that is happening to those that I love and care about. These things are not mine to share publicly, but they are impacting me. Some days I feel overwhelmed with grief. 

This Fall my Bible Study group has been reading through the book of Hebrews. A quick and easy definition of Hebrews is to encourage believers to stick with their faith because their only hope is found in Christ’s salvation. We just finished reading Hebrews 11, a chapter dedicated to recounting those in the Old Testament that lived by faith and what it means to live faithfully.

What does it mean to have faith? The general definition of faith means that you have complete confidence in someone or something. In Hebrews, faith is defined by being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

What does it mean to have hope? Hope is defined by believing and feeling as if something is going to happen.

There are times in our lives that living by faith and having hope are incredibly hard. How can we believe that there is a good God that loves us, cares about us, and has a plan for our lives when we are in the midst of suffering and pain? When everything seems to be crumbling around us, how do we hold onto hope that there is something better ahead? How do we live in certainty that God has created a better future for us?

While reading through Hebrews 11, I started to wonder if I could say that I have been living faithfully and with hope for my own future and for my loved ones. Being reminded of those followers who trusted God even while they suffered or were probably full of fear, was a good reminder to consider what it means to live a life full of faith and hope.

When I set aside my fear, I allow God to step in and work in ways that I can’t predict. Sometimes, he works directly with me, helping me to have more grace for others, giving me joy in the midst of sorrow, and allowing me to see Him more clearly. Other times, I believe God might be using my pain to help someone else. Or, at least I hope that might be the case, so it isn’t all for nothing. 

God has not promised me that all of the trials I am going to endure will have a perfect ending, hopeful outcome that will go my way. God did not give all of his faithful followers (in Hebrews 11) what they wanted either. Having faith in Jesus and living with hope for a better future does not guarantee us any sort of perfect happy ending story, here on earth. Jesus has, however, already promised that he has a better plan for me. A plan for salvation and a life without pain, suffering, or sadness. 

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:39-40

Run with Perseverance

Being confident in the plan that God has for me helps remind me that there is something worth fighting for. There is a reason to keep believing and fight through the painful seasons of life. Skipping into the first four verses of Hebrews Chapter 12, I received a great reminder in times of pain and suffering that we need to persevere in our faith and fix our eyes on Jesus. God sent his son to endure the cross, so that we may have a better outcome. While on earth, there will be times we will feel pain. That is okay, we aren’t supposed to ignore it or pretend it isn’t real. But, we are encouraged to not lose heart (stay strong in our faith and remain hopeful). This season will soon pass and we will be able to see what kind of joy and strength will come from the pain.

…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 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.

Hebrews 12: 1-2