When God Makes It Difficult to Run Away – Choose Faith

1 Thessalonians 3:4-5 (NLT)

     Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know.  That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless

1. Faith is ultimately a choice

Faith is a muscle, the more we exercise, the stronger it gets

Faith is a habit, the more we choose to practice it, the easier and more natural it gets over time

James 2:22 (Msg)

    Isn't it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are "works of faith"?

It is by continually exposing ourselves to the Word of God through devotions and other means that increases our mental and emotional faith

Romans 10:17 (NIV)

    Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

2. Make our faith choices from the perspective that God has already empowered us, not from the perspective that God is going to help us

Exodus 13:17-18 (NLT)

    When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle

3.  Ultimate faith is when we can still choose to be contented, even when we are in the midst of complex difficulties and unanswered prayers

2 Cor. 6:10 (NLT)

    Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.