Guard Your Faith

In my last series of posts, I wrote about how to develop an even if faith-a faith that endures no matter what our circumstances may be (from the story of the fiery furnace in Daniel chapter 3). Many people have been shaken by the current events concerning the Coronavirus pandemic. Though, that may not be what is stretching your faith. Maybe COVID-19 isn’t testing your faith, but being in social isolation is because it leaves for less distractions from your thoughts and circumstances (aside from those created by the disease). Maybe it’s because you have to be home, the place where your particular problems abound. Whatever the case, now is the time to build up your faith. My last three posts covered this by talking about putting into practice an even if attitude concerning our faith, choosing our friends carefully, and knowing our place.

      It’s important that once we begin developing our faith, we also remember to guard it. Peter warned, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV).

      Not being intentional about guarding our faith is dangerous because the devil is on the lookout. He is constantly looking for an opportunity to take believers down. As Peter points out, the way to resist him is by standing firm in the faith. Strengthening our faith is important because it allows us to do just that. However, leaving our faith unguarded puts our faith at risk. If the sufferings we endure constantly rob us of our faith, then we won’t get very far. Now, this is different from our faith being tested. Our faith can be tested without it being diminished. The difference is our response. You can tell by answering this question for yourself: has your faith been stretched or has it been broken?

      Stretching allows for a greater capacity. It hurts and is still scary, but our faith remains. Coming out of a time of stretching allows us to continue to endure our current circumstances and those that come later. A broken faith is one where we become disheartened and lose hope. We stop trusting God and Who He says He is. Rather than being a time of seeking more of Him, it becomes a time where the lies about Him become solidified as facts. It's when we start believing things that are not true about Him. Some examples are, "God isn't real", "God doesn't care", or "God isn't here". 

      It is difficult to fix a broken faith because we have to go back and counter all the lies that have settled in. Doing routine work to keep our faith strong can save us from a great deal of heartache. It’s hard to build on something that’s continually diminished or stolen. It’s like filling a bucket that has a crack or a hole in it. Even if the hole is a tiny one, we will constantly need to do more work than necessary just to fill it. This is one way burn out happens. When we don’t see a payoff for our work, we get exhausted and many times bitter or angry. We begin to think, “What’s the point of even trying?” We can also get discouraged, thinking that we can’t develop a strong faith in God.

      We’ll never grow if we’re constantly stuck in the same place. If the same issue is always robbing you of your faith, then that issue isn’t the problem, your faith is. Now, if that issue is something you bring on yourself (such as having a pattern of unhealthy relationships or letting your anger cause you to hurt others emotionally or physically) then that is a different matter. Deal with the problem. If it is because of circumstances you have no control over, then this is where being intentional about building up your faith and guarding it should come in as your primary response to the issue. 

      When Jesus’ disciples were afraid they would drown because they were caught in a storm while on a boat, they pleaded with Him to save them (Matthew 8:25). Jesus responded, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (v.26). Then, He calmed the storm (v.27). He didn’t talk about how bad the storm was, but He did comment on His disciples’ faith. Jesus addressed their faith before He dealt with the storm. That is what took precedence for Him. 

      The Lord places a high value on our faith. We cannot afford to let it be an afterthought or be passive about it. In the next series of posts, I will talk about how to guard your faith using the armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of readiness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (see Ephesians 6:10-20). Let's be intentional about guarding the progress we make in growing our faith in the Lord so that when circumstances come that test our faith we can respond, "Even if..."