Trusting the Invisible
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)
I’ll be honest. There are times when I read certain Bible verses and think: “This is NOT what I have experienced!”
I read about God’s promises for justice, protection, guidance, and answered prayer. However, my lived reality does not always match with what is written in Scripture. This can lead to confusion and doubt.
What is the difference between faith and wishful thinking? For example, if I say to someone: “I hope you have a nice day” or “I hope you feel better soon”-- I really wish well for them, but I have no assurance that it will be so.
In contrast, if I were to drop my young child with someone -- I would have to trust that person. Even if I don’t have experiential knowledge about a daycare worker or a relative, I would have to feel some assurance that this person is a good, responsible, reliable person. My hope would have to be built on a firmer foundation than wishful thinking.
Faith is trust in God. It is not based on visible evidence. Even when the fulfillment of our hopes are delayed, there is a knowing deep within us that God is trustworthy. We have an assurance that there is a spiritual reality that is beyond what is tangible and experiential.
Faith is based on a firm expectation of a God who is dependable. It relies on the Spirit within us more than on our senses. It is a supernatural trust that enables us to obey God even when we don’t understand everything. This is not based on a certainty that our circumstances will work out according to our wishes or that we will always have favorable outcomes. Faith is uncommon sense. It goes beyond worldly hope to an eternal reality that is based on knowing God intimately and trusting Him completely.