To some people "practical faith" may be an oxymoron. The words "faith" and "practical" do not seem to go together. The world sees faith as something that is impractical. In fact, the world believes that Christians think backward or contrary to logic.

Christians believe that in order to receive, you have to give. Christians believe that in order to be lifted up, you need to humble yourself. Christians believe that in order to live, we must first die. This is contrary 180 degrees to the way the world believes.

Consequently, when we speak of "faith," the world looks at us and thinks that we are out of touch with reality. The world doesn't understand spiritual things.

Understanding Spiritual Things
Understanding the spiritual things of God is impossible without faith. Faith is the key ingredient in understanding. Without faith, we see only the superficial outward appearance of knowledge.

In order for a Christian to be successful, he must walk daily in faith. Through faith, there will be greater accomplishments in life. Whether we are at home or at work, our lives can be greatly enhanced if we can just grab hold of the truth and realize that faith will improve our daily lives.

Making a decision not in faith (in fear or worry) brings stress and only a chance of success.

Wouldn't it be better to go with the one that wins every time—faith?

Faith, Joy and Peace
When we walk in faith, we will be also walking in joy and peace. We will be excited about what God is doing. We will know our authority.

We will not walk in pride, but we will walk into the spiritual battleground and into the battlegrounds of life with our heads held high, knowing that the shield of faith will protect us. The Bible says, "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Stress, worry and fear are not from God. God is the giver of good gifts. Stress, worry and fear are not good. James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. If it isn't good, it isn't God.

God wants us to live in rest, peace and freedom. He has given us a way to live that will totally eliminate stress and worry in our lives. That way is to live by faith.

Faith is simply believing God and acting on what we believe. We must believe God so completely that everything we say and do aligns with what He says in His Word. God has said He will prosper us, heal us and restore us.

If we can believe that, then there is no need for worry or stress.

God has a plan for handling stress, and that plan is faith.

Copyright © Larry Ollison Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.