Growing in faith

“Then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.” Psalm 119:42

In Acts 27:13-44, Paul is on a ship bound for Rome when a violent storm arises, threatening the lives of everyone on board. Despite the dire circumstances, Paul remains calm and assured. In verses 22-25, he encouraged those on the ship, saying:

“But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.”

Faith isn’t simply a hope that things might turn out well; it’s a complete trust in God’s word, anchored in the assurance that what God promises, He will fulfil. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” Paul’s confidence in the face of disaster is a model of living faith that stands firm, no matter the storm.

Faith is the act we performed trusting in God’s promises. Perhaps a better word for faith is “trust.” Prov 3:5 teaches to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Often, we use the word “faith” so casually that it can seem vague or abstract. But genuine faith is trust—how much trust do you have in God’s promises? That’s the heart of faith.

On Sunday in church, I watched people sitting down in chairs without hesitation. No one sat slowly or cautiously as if the seats might give way. Why? Because they trusted the seats were solid. That confidence came from experience, and that’s what faith is—experience. Rom 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Experience with God’s word and His promises builds the confidence and assurance we see as “faith.” Just as experience with the chairs gave confidence, our experience with God’s word builds the confidence and assurance that we call “faith.” Faith is not a mystical or abstract concept; it’s alive, something we live by every day.

Real faith isn’t passive; it’s active. James 2:17 says, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” True faith is alive and moves you to act without second-guessing. When you truly have faith, it is evident in how you live, how you speak, and how you approach life’s challenges. Faith is the bridge that turns belief into action.

Faith is alive! It’s a life you live. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” If you want faith to truly work for you, it must be an action. Faith isn’t just a dream or a hope; it’s something you actively perform. When faith is deeply rooted within you, it flows out naturally, leading you to act spontaneously without hesitation. In fact, I have never seen faith that was nervous or unsure. Real faith is confident and steady. Notice in our text, Paul in the storm at sea: everyone else was clinging to whatever they could, terrified as the ship rocked, uncertain if they would survive. But Paul, full of faith, was calm and confident because real faith is never anxious. Phil 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Faith reveals itself in your whole demeanour, even in your eyes. There is a look that comes with faith, just as unbelief has its own look. Faith shapes the way you carry yourself, while doubt and worry can weigh down even your posture. Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” When faith is alive in you, it radiates from within, while doubt, depression, and unbelief seep into your expression and actions.

Faith isn’t just a feeling; it’s a way of living. “For we live by faith, not by sight.” Faith is not merely an idea; it’s the foundation that shapes every choice, every response, and every step. Walking by faith means relying on what God has promised, even when we can’t see the outcome.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of faith and for being our unchanging foundation. Help us to grow in faith each day, learning to trust you more deeply through obedience and courage, even in challenges. Strengthen our heart to act on your word, knowing that true faith is alive and active. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and let our lives be a testimony of your love and power. May our faith grow stronger as we walk with you, reflecting your light to those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kay Alli