Introduction
Faith is a word that gets thrown around a lot in Christian circles. We hear phrases like, "Just have faith," or "You need more faith," but what does that actually mean? How do we grow in faith, especially when we face situations where God seems silent or our prayers seem unanswered?

Faith is not just an abstract concept or something you either have or don’t have. It’s a living, breathing trust in the God who is good, loving, and faithful. In this article, we’re going to explore what faith really is, how to develop it, and how to deal with the inevitable doubts and unbelief that creep into our hearts. We’ll look at biblical examples, practical steps, and real-life application to help you move from simply understanding faith to living it out daily.

What Faith Is: Trusting in Who God Is, Not Just in What We Want
Many people think of faith as the ability to believe hard enough for something to happen, but biblical faith is much deeper. Faith, as described in Scripture, is less about our ability to believe for specific outcomes and more about trusting who God is, even when we can’t see the results. Faith is about confidence in God’s character—His goodness, His promises, and His love.

Hebrews 11:1 offers a beautiful description of faith: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." This passage paints a picture of faith not as wishful thinking, but as grounded confidence. It’s trusting that even though we cannot see how everything will turn out, we know the One who holds the outcome. It’s assurance in God, even when circumstances say otherwise.

One of the best examples of this is Abraham. In Genesis 12, God told Abraham to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household to go to a land that God would show him. Abraham didn’t know where he was going, but he trusted God’s character and promise. This is faith—not just believing in an outcome, but trusting God’s word and moving forward even when you don’t have all the answers.

What This Means Practically:
When you face challenges—whether financial struggles, illness, or uncertainty—faith isn’t about expecting everything to work out perfectly. It's about trusting that God is in control and that He will work things out for your good and His glory, even if the solution looks different than you expect. Romans 8:28 reminds us that, "in all things God works for the good of those who love him." It doesn’t mean life will be free of hardship, but it does mean we can trust God to bring good out of any situation.

Action Step:
Get to Know God’s Character: Faith grows when you truly know who God is. Take time each day to read Scripture that describes God’s attributes—His love, power, mercy, and sovereignty. Psalm 145 is a great place to start, as it praises God’s mighty acts and compassionate heart. Spend time meditating on passages like Isaiah 40:28-31, which remind us that God never grows weary and His understanding is beyond measure.

Faith vs. Feelings: Choosing to Believe Even When You Don’t Feel It
We live in a world where feelings often drive our decisions. But faith is not the same as feelings. Many times, you may feel anxious, doubtful, or overwhelmed, but faith means choosing to trust God regardless of those emotions. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we live by faith, not by sight." This means faith is about trusting in the promises of God, even when you don’t feel them or see them playing out immediately.

Take the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5:25-34. This woman had been suffering for twelve long years. She had spent all her money on doctors and treatments, yet nothing worked. I imagine she felt weary, hopeless, and desperate. But she had heard about Jesus and believed in His power. She said to herself, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Her faith wasn’t based on how she felt in the moment—it was based on her belief that Jesus could heal her. And her faith moved her to action.

What This Means Practically:
When you’re struggling with doubt or fear, remind yourself of God’s promises. Faith says, “I choose to believe in God’s Word even if I don’t feel it right now.” If you’re feeling anxious, declare Philippians 4:6-7 over your situation: "Do not be anxious about anything… but present your requests to God… and the peace of God… will guard your hearts."

Action Step:
Memorize a Faith-Building Verse: Choose a verse that reminds you of God’s faithfulness and speak it over yourself when your feelings try to undermine your faith. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a great place to start: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Take Small Steps of Faith: A Faith That Works
Faith isn’t just about believing; it’s about living. True faith naturally results in actions that reflect trust in God. In James 2:17, we’re told that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." This verse doesn’t mean we need to add works to faith as though works complete it. Instead, James emphasizes that genuine faith produces works. If your faith doesn’t lead to action, it may not be real faith.

Think about Peter in Matthew 14:22-33 when he walked on water. Jesus called Peter to come to Him, and Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. Peter’s faith wasn’t perfect (he began to sink when he saw the wind), but the key is that he took a step. Faith in action is when we step out, even if we don’t have all the answers. True faith compels you to move in the direction of God’s calling, trusting that He will meet you as you go.

What This Means Practically:
Start by exercising your faith in daily life. If you trust God with an area, you’ll naturally act on that trust. If you believe God is your provider, start living generously, knowing He will meet your needs. If you believe God wants to use you, start serving in small ways and watch how He opens bigger doors.

Action Step:
Take a Step of Faith: Identify an area in your life where you can live out your faith. It could be trusting God with a financial decision, forgiving someone, or stepping into a new ministry opportunity. Write it down, pray over it, and then take action. Remember, even small steps of faith move you forward.

Reflect on God’s Past Faithfulness: Build a Record of Trust
One of the most powerful ways to strengthen your faith is by remembering how God has been faithful to you in the past. When we face tough situations, it’s easy to forget all the times God has come through before. But Psalm 77:11 reminds us to "remember the deeds of the Lord" and to reflect on His miracles. Reflecting on God’s past faithfulness builds confidence that He will continue to be faithful in the future.

Think about King David. Throughout the Psalms, we see him constantly reflecting on God’s deliverance in past battles. Before he faced Goliath, David recalled how God had helped him defeat the lion and the bear. It was God’s past faithfulness that gave David confidence for the future. The same is true for us—when we remind ourselves of how God has worked in our lives before, we strengthen our faith for the challenges ahead.

What This Means Practically:
Start keeping a record of God’s faithfulness in your life. Write down prayers that have been answered, unexpected blessings, or times when God provided in a difficult situation. When doubt or fear starts to creep in, go back and read through those moments. It’s a tangible way to remind yourself of God’s goodness.

Action Step:
Create a Faith Journal: Start a journal where you write down how God has been faithful to you. Reflect on this weekly, and during times of doubt or difficulty, revisit these moments as a way to build your faith.

Reducing Unbelief: Strengthening Faith by Confronting Doubt
Faith and unbelief can exist in the same heart. One of the most honest prayers in Scripture comes from a father seeking healing for his son in Mark 9:24: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" This father had faith, but he also recognized that doubts still lingered. This shows us that faith and unbelief often coexist, but for our faith to grow, we need to confront and reduce our unbelief.

Unbelief isn’t just the absence of faith; it’s the presence of doubt, fear, or skepticism about God’s promises. It can manifest in subtle ways—hesitation to trust God, doubting His goodness, or fear that He won’t come through. Even great men and women of faith had moments of unbelief. Look at the story of Moses in Exodus 3-4. Even after God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses doubted his ability to do it and questioned God’s plan. Yet God patiently worked with Moses, strengthening his faith over time.

How to Reduce Unbelief:

• Acknowledge Unbelief Honestly: Like the father in Mark 9, the first step is admitting your unbelief to God. Be honest about where you struggle to trust Him.
• Strengthen Your Understanding of God’s Promises: Dive deep into Scripture to know what God has promised. When unbelief creeps in, remind yourself of His faithfulness.
• Take Steps of Faith in Spite of Unbelief: Even if you feel doubt, act on what you believe. Faith grows as you take steps of obedience.
• Surround Yourself with Faith-Building Community: Being around believers who have strong faith helps you confront your own doubts and grow.

Action Step:
Pray for Greater Faith and Less Unbelief: Make it a regular practice to pray for God to help you overcome areas of unbelief. Ask Him to help you take steps of faith, even when you’re unsure.

Conclusion: Growing in Faith by Trusting God More Deeply
Faith is not a one-time decision, but a journey of growing trust in God. It requires getting to know His character, acting on His promises, and confronting our doubts. As you grow in faith, you’ll experience more of God’s power and presence in your life, and you’ll be able to trust Him more fully in every area.

Faith grows through small, consistent steps. Whether you’re just starting out or have been on this journey for a while, there’s always more to learn and experience. So, what step of faith will you take today?

Final Action Step:
Commit to One New Practice: Choose one of the action steps from this article and commit to doing it for the next 30 days. Whether it’s memorizing a verse, taking a step of faith, or keeping a faith journal, make it a regular part of your routine and watch how your faith develops over time.

Conclusion
Faith is not just about believing in what we want to happen, but trusting in who God is and His perfect plan for our lives. As you continue on your journey, remember that faith grows through action, reflection on God’s past faithfulness, and daily reliance on His promises. It’s okay to wrestle with doubt, but take small steps of faith, knowing that God will meet you where you are. True faith not only transforms your heart but compels you to live out your trust in God in meaningful ways. What step of faith will you take today to grow closer to Him?

Blessings,
Dr. Wilfred Graves Jr.
wilfredgraves.org