“Faith” is a word that is easy to throw around. “Journey of faith,” “Faith in God,” “Have a little faith.”

But what does it mean?

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) says this: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Can’t argue with that. It’s in the Bible!

But in flushing out the wider biblical vision which circles around the person of Jesus, Ravi Zacharias provides further clarity. He says that “faith is a confidence in the person of Jesus Christ and in His power, so that even when His power does not serve my end, my confidence in Him remains because of who He is.”

To me, that’s the “assurance of things hoped for” and the “conviction of things not seen.” I am confident in who Jesus is and in his power regardless of what’s happening in my life. His wisdom and goodness isn’t limited to my own ability to see and measure it.

If we believe in God only to get from God, it’s not really belief—it’s a fast food spirituality that is about our wants instead of his will.

-Hard things happen in life. Through them all… trust God.
-Confusing things happen in life. Through them all… trust God.
-Surprising things happen in life. Through them all… trust God.

One day all difficulties will come to an end—but you won’t, and neither will God. So root your faith not in your temporary conditions, but in an eternal relationship.

There’s a saying out there I sometimes hear: “You’ve got this!” I get the sentiment. And I appreciate it.

But the heart of faith—the “assurance of things hoped for” and “the conviction of things not seen”—isn’t so much that “You’ve got this,” but that God does.

Through the storms of life, that’s the greatest hope of all.

By Matthew Ruttan

• On Sunday I’m starting a new 2-part series at Westminster called, “A Servant Christmas: How the birth of a servant Saviour can make your Christmas more meaningful.” Click here to learn more.