Keep the Faith
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." -2 Timothy 1:6-7
Have you ever noticed the dichotomy between faith and doubt? Doubt is dull, lifeless, and cold. It’s rain on a parade, a needle that pops a balloon, a wet blanket, or a party pooper. Nobody likes a wet blanket or a party pooper, but there are doubters and haters nonetheless. Some people cover up their doubt by saying they're being "realistic.”
Sometimes we have to make a conscious effort to diffuse the doubt in our lives - whether it's coming from our enemies, our friends, or even our own minds. Just like clouds, doubt is everywhere. But we shouldn't let it deter us or cause us to feel hopeless. We should let it be an indication that God is working in our lives. We should let doubt be a reminder to let our faith grow stronger, and remember to believe, trust and have faith.
Although the reality of some situations exists, our faith is something no one can take away from us - unless we let them. Living in faith is not about living in a false reality - it is about living in God's reality that “anything is possible to those who believe.” (Mark 9:23)
The great thing about truly God-birthed initiatives is that no one can squash them - unless we let people squash them. We are the guard of the God-given dream, while God is our protector. We don't need to let other people trample our dreams or our faith so easily. We can “fan our faith,” much like a flame can be fanned to make it bigger.
Today, make a conscience decision to have faith - no matter what kind of situations or people you may encounter.
Related resource: The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by Mark Batterson
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