Faith is the most important part of our Christian walk; without it we have nothing. Our whole belief stands on the fact that we have faith that God sent His only-begotten Son, Jesus, into the world to die on the cross for our salvation. This is what separates us from other religions — the faith we place in what Jesus has done for us.

Unfortunately, as human beings, it is very easy to lose faith, especially when things are going wrong. In this chapter we will explore how we can strengthen and keep our faith even through the harder seasons of life.

Reasons for Our Belief

First of all, we must define what faith is. Hebrews 11:1 says:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

From this definition, faith can be seen as trust despite the lack of physical evidence. To a scientist’s way of thinking, this may seem counterintuitive — theories are typically tested against evidence before they are accepted. The common question, “How can you believe in God when there is no evidence?” is often raised by sceptics. Yet there is abundant evidence for God, much of it right in front of us.

We won’t explore this exhaustively here — a whole book could be written on the subject — but consider a few points. Biblically, the writers claim the Scriptures are God’s word. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16 that all Scripture is God-breathed, indicating that the Bible’s origin is more than merely human.

The Bible itself is uniquely interconnected, containing thousands of cross-references. What is remarkable is that it was written by at least forty different authors over centuries, from a wide variety of backgrounds (apostles, kings, prophets, fishermen, historians) and across different languages and regions, yet it carries consistent themes and fulfilled prophecy. This coherence points to the work of God.

When we read the Bible, we begin to see symbolic meanings and how the whole Scripture points to the Messiah, centuries before His coming. There is also external corroboration: non-Christian ancient sources such as Josephus, Tacitus, and Lucian reference the crucifixion and events surrounding Jesus. The disciples themselves — ordinary men who feared death and at times doubted — ultimately became bold witnesses who suffered and died for the gospel after encountering the risen Christ. Their transformation is powerful historical testimony.

Beyond texts, the universe’s fine-tuning and the complexity of life argue for an intelligent Designer. Our bodies are astonishingly intricate: trillions of cells working in ordered harmony, eyes that process incredible amounts of information, and DNA — a coded information system akin to computer code. We are morally aware in ways other animals are not, as Romans 2:14–15 suggests:

“Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves… they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts.”

All of this contributes to a reasonable confidence that God exists and that Scripture is trustworthy.

Building Our Faith

We present these things to help build a firm foundation: first believe there is a God who made us, then build faith that this God is loving and sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us. Romans 10:17 tells us plainly how faith grows:

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Hearing, reading, and studying the Word are central to increasing faith. From personal experience, many of us were raised in Christian homes but only experienced deep change when we intentionally picked up the Bible and sought God. As we studied, revelations came that strengthened our faith and transformed our lives.

It’s easy to let life push God down the list of priorities. When that happens, our faith can grow weak. Imagine a scenario where God visibly stopped everything and spoke directly, calling you to obedience — the immediate response would likely be wholehearted surrender. Though we won’t receive such a dramatic sign, reading Scripture and seeking God continually reminds us of His reality and power, making faith practical and present.

One of the most powerful Gospel stories is when Jesus calmed the storm (recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke). While Jesus slept on the boat, a fierce storm rose and the disciples panicked. They asked, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Jesus rebuked the wind and waves and asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” This story mirrors our lives: we have seen God’s power, yet at the next trial we can doubt. Jesus’ question calls us into deeper trust. He is the same God who calms storms today, and He invites us to put our hope in Him.

As we seek God, He grows our faith. The closer we draw to Him, the more we receive His peace that surpasses understanding — enabling us to remain still in life’s storms.

Putting Our Faith into Action

Faith that is alive naturally produces action. James 2:17–18 states:

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

This passage challenges us: genuine faith results in obedience and works. That does not mean we earn salvation by works — Ephesians 2:8–9 clarifies:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Salvation is a gift received by faith. Yet true faith will bear fruit. When you put your trust in Jesus and believe He died for you, God begins to grow that faith and lead you into works for His kingdom. Hebrews 11 gives many Old Testament examples of people who were commended for faith — not their deeds as a means to salvation, but as the evidence of it.

Once you truly believe and place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are saved — and nothing can pluck you out of the Father’s hand (see John 10). The fact that you are reading and seeking God shows you are on a path toward deeper faith. As your faith grows, so will the good works God prepares for you. God desires your faith; through that faith He will transform your life.