“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)
What is faith? It is not physical; so how do we know that faith exists? To have faith, one
starts with hope which will lead to belief. I have hope that I will overcome my educational
obstacles and retain the knowledge I am seeking to excel in my career path. When I build upon
this hope by telling myself that I can overcome, it will eventually become something tangible
and real. Constant repetition of the belief will force the mind to accept that the idea or concept
once “hoped” for can, in actuality, be realized. It then becomes a substance that feels physical
and real. Our mind is shaped and formed by what we tell ourselves. If we inwardly say that we
cannot be a successful business owner or become the doctor that we have always dreamed of
becoming, our mind will follow in this line of thinking and make this a reality.
This is such a valuable thought – to remember that we are not subject to the whims and
ways of this world. Our life can be changed by how much our minds have been bent to accept
that anything is possible. In the past, I have restricted my existence to what I can see and feel
and not on what is possible to achieve. However, we do not have to accept that if only we are
in the right place at the right time then what we truly want can be obtained. My generation has
been taught that, as long as you live in the right neighborhood and go to the right schools, you
are automatically primed for the most rewards in this life. Further, if you do not have these
things, then you will never succeed to your full potential.
This world would be so dismal without faith to give us the hope we need for better days.
It is the thought that as long as I keep having faith in the things that I cannot see or feel, one
day it will become physical. What I am doing in the unseen world can and will be revealed in
this world. I can also change the outcome of my life by having faith, hope, and then belief that
anything is possible. Faith can also bring about other positive changes.
“Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” (Luke 6:31)
In my life, there have been many times that circumstances required change. When I had
been faced with accusations or insults and anger had begun to rise, I began to learn that what
you feel in the moment is usually not the truth. There are times where negative emotions like
rage, jealousy, bitterness, selfishness, and depression can be upon us so strongly that to be free
of their grasp seems impossible. However, when I truly reflect on those feelings and why I am
choosing to accept them, the root is usually pride. I am believing that those emotions are
impossible to shake, yet there are many verses that deny this:
“All is permitted me, but not all do profit. All is permitted me, but I shall not be under
authority of any.” (1Cor. 6:12)
“And I say: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not accomplish the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16)
“I sought יהוה, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps. 34:4)
When I tell myself I can choose joy, or that I can choose faith, or that I choose to believe
I can do all things, I am choosing faith. As I am in this faith, I choose to make steps that will
direct the course of my belief. If I want to be joyful, I smile more; if I am afraid, I tell myself that
I am not alone and He watches over me; if I want to succeed, I prepare, study, and work.
Another area of life that requires faith is relationships, as they are valuable to our
existence. It is important to cultivate this partnership between two or more people. The
existence of our physical bodies in this world can be bleak if we isolate ourselves because we
have treated those in our closest circle in a harsh, unloving way.
When I feel valued and loved, it brings a warm, serene feeling to my soul. It makes me
want to reach out to others and share this aura with them as well. The result of this makes me
want to surround many cities and states with this beautiful “thing” called happiness.
The feelings of bitterness and anger also operate along the same lines of transportation.
When the feeling of annoyance, which turns to anger, starts to rise up in our body, everyone
around us will have some participation in this sad turn of events. The harsh, snarling tones
erupt like flames of fire and can destroy a group of people in just a matter of seconds.
It takes perseverance and courage to push past the conflict we have with others,
whether we are to blame or not. I cherish the idea that we are to love, serve, honor, protect,
care for, and value others as we would want the same from those around us. This idea is so
precious to me because it is what I do not accomplish on my own. It is something that I am
consistently striving to achieve every day in my personal relationships.
Each day is a new beginning toward building our personal relationships with those
around us. If we remember to act in a way that we would want to be treated, then some of our
relationships might be spared estrangement and loneliness. If we want kindness and love, then
we must be the ones who give it. This is true faith with action, to be in the moment but to
believe in a better future and consciously make sure steps toward it.
By: Luann Avalos
