My friend once told me that if she would have a daughter, she would name her 'Faith'. She further explained to me why she would choose it and one obvious reason was because it sounded beautiful to her. It was a phone conversation, so she probably just heard my reactions and response; although I barely remember what I thought or said at the time, I hope that whatever I spoke to her was good.
As you practice counting your blessings, you will find that your faith is being suddenly revitalized. – Robert Schuller
As my general thought, "faith" is an Abstract Noun and it means belief, trust, confidence or loyalty. "Faith can move mountains" is a famous phrase and quote from the Holy Bible. Although "faith" is a quality available for free, it is difficult to possess in abundance (unless you're innocent as a child or too naive); more difficult to earn and the most difficult attribute to preserve. It is invisible yet it is to be made visible and it functions as a verb through our thoughts, words and deeds. Faith is like an intangible adjective of quality yet it brings us closer to the omnipresent Almighty, to tangible people as well as to ourselves.
During a retreat, a priest told me to reflect on, "Mark 11:24" which states that,
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
According to me, there are 4 parts in this statement. Each part is important and its linked to each other like a food chain.
i) Therefore I tell you - The "I" over here according to the Bible is Jesus Christ. He speaks to you /me.
ii) Whatever you ask in prayer - you can ask for anything, whether it is good or bad, necessary or unnecessary, for yourself or for someone else, but you have to ask with reverence to the Almighty.
iii) Believe that you have received it - It is to have faith that you already have it with you right now; whoever you asked it in prayer for that they actually possess it at this moment.
iv) And it will be yours - You will receive.
If you miss any part of the link, the process is futile.
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. – Saint Thomas Aquinas
Faith is a good fruit-bearing plant, whereas doubt and fear are the weeds. If you nurture this plant with an open mind, strong ethics, dedicated spirit and positive vision, your faith will grow well.
Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time. – Oswald Chambers
As I've mentioned above, faith is most difficult to preserve, especially in despairing moments. To lose faith instantaneously is to invite the Devil. Sometimes it happens spontaneously due to low self-esteem, over-dependence on others, poor self-confidence, etc. At other times you are forced or provoked to do so when you're in the presence of thieves, liars, cheaters, addicts etc. At such times, we must accept the feeling of despair and learn from it and move on in life.
Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys. – Madeleine L’Engle
