How to increase your faith in God
The level of our faith clarifies the presence of God in our lives. Image: Pablo Heimplatz|Unsplash
In our somber moments, we sometimes wonder about the reality of God’s existence. We ask:
“How could God exist if He allows the abortion of around 50 million unborn babies each year?”
“How could God allow the mass shootings that inundate our schools, parks, and malls”?
“Why can’t God stop the bombings and war in Ukraine that results in numerous deaths of innocent people?”
These inquiries often lead us to more resolutions that sadly nullify our faith or diminish our belief in the Creator. As a result, we emulate the pragmatists, agnostics, existentialists, and unbelievers that conclude: “To see is to believe.”
But God is real. The realization of the genuineness of the existence of a Creator only happens when we have adequate faith in God.
The Scale of One’s Faith
“He told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”- Matthew 13: 31-32
The mustard seed is a popular example used in the parables of the Bible. The popular spice is one of the smallest seeds, measuring one to two millimeters in diameter. But the plant can grow up to six to thirty feet high.
Faith starts small. Like the mustard seed, our belief in God often begins minuscule in measure. But with consistent intake of the biblical ways of pursuing God, the Holy Spirit would soon dwell in us, illuminate our understanding of God, and elevate our belief in Him.
The Five Pillars of Faith
The Bible clearly illustrates the importance of having confidence in the reality of God. Here are the five biblical foundations that foster our faith:
Prayer
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24
Prayer is the primary way to communicate with God. The Bible says that God hears our prayers and will respond if our words and petitions align with His will.
The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 encapsulates the important components of prayer. When we utter God’s Words in prayer, He is exalted, and our faith is enhanced.
Bible Reading
“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” – Psalm 119:130
The Bible is the living Word of God. It contains the Lord’s precepts and His will for our lives. The famous evangelist Billy Graham said, “The very practice of reading [the Bible] will have a purifying effect upon your mind and heart. Let nothing take the place of this daily exercise.”
By studying God’s Word, we will arrive at the truths of life, revealing to us the profound validity of the existence of God. Then, our faith is clarified, knowing that God takes care of us and is always at our side
Praise and Worship
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.” – Psalm 66:1-2
Our faith increases when we adore God and praise His holy Name in unison with our brothers and sisters. We feel the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit among us, and our belief in the Creator and His precepts is amplified.
Church Gathering
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” – Acts 4:31
The church is the Body of Christ and the place where our faith grows. As a gathering of fellow believers, our primary aim is to propagate the gospel to the ends of the nations. Moreover, when we often pray and worship the Lord together, God is pleased, and our spirits become more attuned to the likeness of God.
Serve God and Other People
“Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:37-39
The Great Commandment states that we love God above all and then our neighbors like ourselves. Love entails servanthood and helping other people. Our faith is magnified when we extend our assistance and generosity to those in need.
How Is the Measure of Your Faith?
“Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you” – Matthew 9:29
In His earthly ministry, Jesus asked two blind men if they believed He could heal them. They replied, “Yes, Lord” (v.28). Jesus touched their eyes, and their sight was restored (v.29).
The story reveals that the essential access to God and all His powers and grace depends on the measure of our faith. The greater the degree of our belief in God, the more we will be able to know, trust, and emulate God.
We cannot physically see God. But by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the intrinsic God manifests in our being, and His identity is clarified through His likeness.
Increasing our faith in our Heavenly Father requires deliberate effort and commitment. We must diligently seek His presence through prayer, Bible reading, praise and worship, church attendance, and doing good deeds.
By regularly undertaking these godly pursuits, the more we can clearly see and experience a deeper relationship with God.
