Faith’s focus is God, not an outcome. When you have enough faith to turn to Him, no matter the state of your feelings, then you have enough faith. Tell Him about your weak and wobbly faith. Only He can remedy it. Trying to chase doubt from your heart is a useless exercise. Just don’t let your enemy convince you that you cannot come to the Father until all your doubts have been erased and you can bring Him perfect faith.
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength”(Phil. 4:11-13). Paul has learned a secret. This secret caused him to live every moment of every day in a state of contentment. He has learned it by experience., not in theory. He has learned that the unchanging presence of God satisfies him. It is the same when God allows adversity in his life as when God supernaturally intervened to circumvent difficulties. All the same.
Paul has learned that it’s not what God does, but who God is that produces contentment. What happens on the outside of him does not add to or subtract from his inner rest. How does he know such a wonderful thing? He learned it. How did he learn it? He learned how to be content when he was in need by being in need. How did he learn how to be content while being hungry? He learned by being hungry.
In the Kingdom of God, faith is our native air. “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). In Him we live and move and exist at our optimum. Have you ever spent time in a location where the air was different from your native air? Your lungs are acclimated to where you live. The air your lungs are accustomed to breathing has a certain mix of oxygen and nitrogen and certain pollens and a certain level of humidity. When you breathe this air, you lungs work most efficiently. If you were to go to another location, say move from a low altitude to a higher altitude, the air has less oxygen. Since it is not your native air, breathing becomes difficult. Your lungs have a harder time getting the right amount of oxygen to your cells and your energy level decreases. What is natural in your native air is difficult and strained in this alien air. Your body does not work as efficiently. Your productivity is compromised. Faith is our native air once we are born into the Kingdom of God.
Faith is also a gift from God. This incredible gift from the Father is the title deed that entitles you to access all the riches of the Kingdom. Faith is the key that unlocks the Kingdom’s gates. It is a lavish gift. A gift of stunning generosity and outlandish love.
