“To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim, you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do, you will sink and drown. Instead, you relax and float.” – Alan Watts
What propels us to leave the house each morning and drive to work, believing that we are going to get to our destination safely? What allows an inventor to believe that a metallic machine is capable of soaring 35,000 feet in the air? What allows children to visibly relax and enjoy themselves when they are being carried on their parents’ shoulders? It is faith and nothing more. Faith that the parent wouldn’t let their child fall.
Faith is that force that lets us believe that something good will come out of a situation that looks terrible. It is that energy that allows us to believe that everything is going to be alright.
Faith is that metaphysical force that helps us move mountains and carry us through dire and bleak situations. It is more than a notion to hold on to when situations become difficult. It is as essential as oxygen. Do not confuse faith with hope, because faith, unlike hope, is steeped in the spirit and heart rather than the mind.
While most people see faith through the lens of religion, faith is much more than that. As we go from one challenge to another, we need faith to keep the anxiety and fear in check. It is faith that gives us the belief that situations will improve. It is faith that helps keep those bad thoughts threatening to run amok at bay.
The importance of faith cannot be overestimated. No matter how much we try to dissect what faith is, it remains an essential component of life. We’ve heard stories of people doing amazing things they never thought themselves capable of because of the faith someone had in them. It is faith that allows a person to rise beyond their pre-established capabilities. [1]
How to grow your faith
“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King, Jr
While faith has been established as a vital component of life, it needs to be cultivated patiently. Faith requires intentionality. You have to want it. It requires that we accept difficult realities, and somehow believe that they will get better, even when there’s no evidence at sight. This can be very challenging. The truth is, your faith will be tested, and you will fail. The good news, however, is that you can always get back up again.
So how do you grow your faith?
Feed your faith
To grow your faith, you need to learn how to feed it. When you starve your faith, the effect bounces right back at you. To feed your faith, you need to yank every doubt and negative thoughts from your mind. Stop thinking negative thoughts. Stop thinking about everything that could go wrong. Instead, think positively. Start thinking about everything that could go right. As soon as you can conquer doubts, your faith will soar, allowing you to see the opportunities set before you.
Believe that nothing is impossible
Have you looked at that challenge you are currently facing and said “no way”? It’s time to look back at it and say “there’s going to be away.” Nothing is impossible, nothing at all. No matter how difficult a situation is when there’s a will, there’s a way. The problem is that many people are quick to accept that there’s no way around a situation, that even when there’s one staring them in the face, they may not see it.
Never let the fear of the unknown prevent you from doing anything. When you kick out anxiety, you will see your faith grow beyond your imagination. Remember that nothing is impossible.
Be Patient
Patience is a fundamental virtue that will impact on your level of faith. If you are not patient, then it will be difficult for you to grow your faith. Life, as it is, is fast-paced and filled with uncertainties. If you find that you are impatient, intolerant, and always worried and annoyed, you need to work on it. While facing difficulties, patience will get you through it. Remember that negative emotions might exacerbate the situation rather than ameliorate it.
Exhibit Self Control
It is impossible to grow your faith without self-control. How would you move mountains when you can’t keep your emotions in check? How do you get through challenges when you can’t maintain discipline?
Self-control is the distinguishing factor that allows you to be in charge of a specific situation, even when frustration sets in. You mustn’t give in to a temptation that will derail you from getting to your final goal.
“Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.” – Rabindranath Tagore.
In a time like this, when the world is currently at a standstill owing to the Covid-19 virus, we all need to exhibit faith. Faith will keep us moving in the face of difficulties being faced. Faith that will see us beat this virus collectively.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of this website or its members. The information contained in this article and the presentation of material therein does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of this website.
References
- “Why Faith is Important. Psychology Today. Arthur Dobrin. September 28, 2012.