Understanding Faith, Hope, and Patience in Everyday Life
For many, Christianity can feel like a big topic full of heavy words and complex ideas. But at its heart, it’s all about faith—a deep trust in something you can’t always see with your eyes, but you believe in your heart. Let’s break down what it really means to live by faith, and how hope and patience fit into this picture, in a way that’s down-to-earth and easy to understand.
What Is Faith, Really?
The Bible gives a pretty clear description of faith in Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.” In simple terms, faith means being sure about what you hope for and confident about things you can’t see. It’s like trusting the ground beneath your feet—even if you can’t see what’s under the surface, you believe it will hold you up.
Faith isn’t just a fancy idea or a religious rule. It’s the core of the Christian life. It’s about trusting that God’s promises are real, even if we can’t see them right now. It’s living as if what God says is true, even when everything around us seems to suggest otherwise.
Why Is Faith So Important?
Throughout the Bible, faith is described as the key to connecting with God. Romans 1:17 says, “The righteous will live by faith.” This means that living a life that pleases God isn’t about ticking off boxes or following a bunch of rules—it’s about trusting God and relying on His grace. We don’t earn our way to God. Instead, we simply believe and trust in what God has done for us.
This faith is not a one-time thing; it’s a way of life. It shapes how we see the world, how we deal with problems, and how we treat others. Faith gives us a foundation, something solid to hold onto in a world that can feel shaky and uncertain.
How Can We Trust in a God We Can’t See?
It’s a fair question—how do you trust in something or someone you can’t see? The Bible answers this by pointing to creation all around us. Romans 1:20 explains that God’s invisible qualities—His power and divine nature—can be seen in the world He made. From the stars in the sky to the smallest details in nature, creation itself is like God’s signature. It’s evidence that there is a wise and loving Creator behind it all.
The stories from Genesis also show us that God is intentional and caring. Making humans in His image shows that we are meant for something more—connection, purpose, and relationship with Him.
Faith Goes Beyond What’s Logical
Faith often asks us to believe in things that don’t always make sense by human standards. The Bible is full of people who stepped out in faith, even when everything seemed impossible. Abraham left his home not knowing where he was going. Moses led his people across the Red Sea when it looked like there was no way out. These stories remind us that faith is believing and acting—even when the outcome isn’t clear.
Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified Version) puts it this way: “Faith is the assurance, the confirmation, and the title deed of the things we hope for…faith perceives as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.” In plain terms, faith helps us trust in God’s promises, even when we can’t see them with our eyes.
Hope and Patience: The Companions of Faith
Faith is closely linked with hope and patience. If faith is trusting God’s promises, hope is the steady expectation that those promises will come true. Patience is what helps us hang on during tough times, even when answers don’t come right away.
Hebrews 6:12 says, “Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Life isn’t always easy, and sometimes we have to wait for things to get better. Hope gives us strength, and patience helps us keep going. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Paul encourages us that even when we’re troubled or knocked down, we’re not defeated—because faith helps us get back up.
Isaiah 41:31 (often quoted as Isaiah 40:31) gives this beautiful promise: “Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles.” Waiting on God isn’t sitting still—it’s actively trusting, hoping, and expecting that He will come through.
The Heart of the Gospel: Faith in Action
The main message of Christianity—the gospel—is that Jesus Christ died to take away our sins, and through faith in Him, we become part of God’s family. Romans 1:17 sums it up: “The righteous will live by faith.” We don’t become right with God by trying harder; we simply trust in Jesus and what He has done for us. That’s what makes faith powerful.
Having faith doesn’t mean life will be easy or problem-free. But it does mean we have strength to face challenges and a hope that carries us through difficulties. Nothing, not even death or hard times, can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39).
Bringing It All Together: Living by Faith Today
We live in uncertain times. There’s a lot happening in the world—political changes, environmental challenges, personal struggles. Now more than ever, faith invites us to look beyond what we can see and trust that God has a bigger plan. It helps us hold onto hope, practice patience, and find courage to keep moving forward.
As the prophet Habakkuk said, “The just will live by their faith.” Let’s choose to trust God each day, ask for His guidance, and pray for a deeper faith—not just for ourselves, but for our communities and the world. Through faith, hope, and patience, we can live anchored in something far greater than ourselves.
Written by Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 