Let’s just go ahead and get this out of the way: It’s been a hard year. With all that’s happening, it’s easy to want to just finish this year on auto-pilot. But what if 2020 is actually an opportunity for us to grow in our faith?

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” The chapter goes on to list examples of faithful men and women all throughout scripture--people just like you and me who trusted God enough to act in obedience, even when they had no idea what the future held. It made me realize that trying to navigate “unprecedented times” isn’t anything new for those following the Lord.

See, faith is like a muscle that we have to exercise. And it usually takes being pushed beyond our limits and out of our comfort zones to strengthen it. Because it’s the difficult moments that show us what we’re actually putting our faith in. If you want to know what you truly believe, look at how you act in times of uncertainty. Those are the moments that reveal what’s leading you: faith or fear. 

This year has pushed all of us out of our comfort zones in some way. Whether it’s loss, sickness, financial crisis, isolation, hate, or even just fear of the future, we’ve all felt the effects of 2020. But how have you responded to this year? Have you been fearful, anxious, angry, distracted, cynical? Or have you been hopeful, confident, peaceful, level-headed, loving?

The good news is that every single one of us can grow in our faithfulness. And the stronger that muscle grows, the better we will be able to weather difficult seasons and help others through them as well. So, how do we practice faith? Here are a few ways to strengthen our faith muscle every day.

1. Be rooted in the Word of God. 

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock” -Matthew 7:24, NLT

Even when everything around us is unstable and uncertain, we can have faith in Scripture. It is our constant source of peace and truth. And because the Word of God is living and active, we can apply it to our current situations and concerns. If you’re feeling lost and confused, daily Bible reading can be your solid foundation in the midst of chaos.

2. Change the way you think about hard times.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” -James 1:2-4, NIV

It’s in the trials that our faith is tested. We have to let difficult times do the work of producing perseverance in our lives. Why? So that we may be “mature and complete.” Because without the uncomfortable seasons, we never grow. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28 (NIV)

We don’t always see the good in every hard experience, but know that the hard times are not wasted. God can and does redeem any situation for His glory.

3. Put your hope in Jesus Christ.

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.”-Psalm 145:13 (NIV)

While the rest of the world panics, we can have peace and hope in Jesus Christ as our Savior. He is who we put our faith in. Why? Because He conquered death! We don’t have to be afraid of our present or our future because Jesus has already won. 

As Jesus says;

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33 (NIV)

He has you, woman of God. Put your faith in Him, and you will have the peace that only He can provide.

It’s tempting to write 2020 off as a year of chaos and nothing more. But what if we saw it not as a waste less season or a chance to binge Netflix, but as a time to really focus on believing that God is who He says He is? What if we came out of 2020 stronger in our faith and ready to do bold things for the Kingdom? May we put our faith in the only One who satisfies. 

How can you practice faith during this season? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Abbie is a native Mississippian who now calls Nashville, TN home. She works as a writer for Ramsey Solutions and enjoys reading, traveling, laughing, and playing with her corgi, Eudora, in her spare time. You can find more of her writing at Abbie Walker