It’s no wonder that during these crazed days our faith in God has been stretched. “Where is God?” “Why would God allow this?” “When will God do something?” These are just a few of the questions I’ve fielded in the last several months. And rightfully so. It’s times like these that we really find out if we just believe IN God or if we actually BELIEVE God.
So, how do you know if you actually have faith in God right now? What would it look like to actually trust in The Lord during COVID-19? Where does faith come from to take God at His Word while such injustice runs ramped?
Here are 6 ways to know if you actually BELIEVE GOD:
• Your faith leads you to action. – When is the last time you’ve actually trusted God so much that it caused you to do something for Him or with Him? What would others say is evidence in your life of your faith in God?
James 2:17
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
• Sin is the exception in your life, not the rule. – We all sin. We all fall short. The difference of this happening in the life of someone who believes God is that this will eventually become the exception.
Romans 6:1–2
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
• You are quick to confess your sin. – We have such a loving, patient God who has already taken out His anger over our sin on His only Son! What would hold us back from running to the light when we sin? There is mercy and forgiveness waiting for us. However, those who conceal their sin don’t really believe God is able to forgive their sin.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• You regularly repent of sin. – There is a difference in just confessing your sin and actually trusting God enough to take steps away from it and towards Him. Because we believe God is who He says He is, we can leave behind our old life to follow Jesus freely!
Acts 3:19–20
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…
• You focus more on your belief than your feelings. – Feelings aren’t bad. In fact, in your relationship with God, you ought to have emotion. However, truly having faith in God means believing in Him even when you DON’T FEEL like it.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
• You trust God. – In the same way you trusted the chair you sat on today to hold you up, we too must trust in our relationship with God to hold us when we need it most. True rest only comes when we fully trust.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.