Simple Ways to Increase Your Faith

Pour Good Thoughts

Have you already said something like, "I hope you have a Happy New Year!" Or, "I hope my plans for finding a new job this year work out." What is actually going on in our brains with these kinds of wishes? 

Positive thoughts like these are truly an act of faith welling up inside us. We can't see them, but they rise to the surface and pour out of our minds and mouths. We can effectively use positive words to encourage others (or ourselves) and make them feel less worried about their situation. 

Our soul rejoices--like a little giggle creeping up--when we place our faith in things God has already planned and arranged for our lives. Of course, we have no idea what will happen to or for us next week, next summer, or next year. But our Creator knows. He knows! 

Sure, not everything that takes place in our lives is great. Or fun. Or what we want. That is because none of us are perfect. We make mistakes. We don't pay attention to what we are doing. We waste time, talents, and tempo.   

But there is a better way to live and enjoy life. So, first, we can identify that faith is definitely what we cannot see with our eyes, nor can we predict future events with our minds. We have to rely on our faith. If you are open to this idea and principle of faith, then, secondly, we know through experience that our faith fluctuates at times just because we are all human. It's like a thermometer. When we are sad, depressed, or even apathetic about things in our lives, our faith takes a dive and barely registers. If we are happy, joyful, content and positive, our faith soars! 

What Is the Answer?
Is there something we can do when our faith is low? This answer may seem too simple and quite opposite of what we are now thinking, but the solution is actually thankfulness! Yes, that's right. Stay with me now--there is something tangible we can do to change our situation. Have you ever tried expressing thankfulness and courting depression at the same time? It doesn't work.  

Since faith is something that can't be seen, we are suggesting keeping an on-going, daily journal on the subject of thankfulness and gratitude for every tiny thing God has given you. It's not a big chunk of time out of your day. Just take 3-1/2 minutes each evening before bed and record three things you are grateful for from that day. Be specific for big as well as all the little things each day. 

Start Your Thankfulness Journal

Thank you, God, for yellow tulips in my garden, fresh snow on the lawn, new sweater to wear, getting eight hours of sleep, friends who call, a new book to read, food in my refrigerator, and answer to my prayer for physical healing.        
   
Result? When you write down what you are grateful for, it can be seen later or tomorrow or next month. This reminder really, really works to increase the temperature of our faith thermometer!    
     
Moving Mountains
If we give God a chance, He will bless us with all the promises He has to help us enjoy a satisfying and abundant life. It's when we leave Him out of our plans--out of our lives--that things get all messed up. One of the amazing gifts God gives us is free will. We can do whatever we choose to do right or wrong; God will not stand in our way. But if we ignore His direction and plans for our lives, we cannot really expect our faith to grow. It is our hope and faith in Him that will make our paths straight. The Bible tells us that even if our faith is only as small as a mustard seed, it can move mountains! (Matthew 17:20). Nothing is impossible with God on our side!

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see" (Hebrews 11:1 NLT).