“Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality–faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval. By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom, and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3 AMP

Faith is such a seemingly complicated thing, yet it’s really very simple. It is our humanity and the lies of the adversary that complicate the concept of faith. Hope is one of the most beautiful byproducts of faith. When we have true faith that God loves us and is always at work in our lives, then we have every reason to be hopeful about the future. However, we so often have negative experiences in life that make it difficult for us to maintain hope that things will be better going forward.

What I am beginning to grasp is that when I make the choice (and it is a choice) to trust that God will always be working in my life to help me endure, help me thrive, and turn all things that happen in my life into something good, I am able to be at peace with my circumstances as they are and not be wrapped around the axle because my circumstances aren’t what I THINK they should be.

Most of our disappointments in life exist because our human expectations have not been met. Ironically, much of the time, those expectations are known only to us in our minds, so those around us will only meet our expectations by chance and not because they are aware of what we want or need. What I’m trying to say is this: by putting our private expectations highest on our priority list, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and setting up those around us for failure when they let us down.

When we make it our highest priority to live the life God gave us and walk the path of each day as He places it in front of us, doing the best we can with each step and continually reminding ourselves to take the step with God’s grace in our hearts, we will find a lot more peace. We will find it easier to forgive those who wound our souls. We will find it possible to live in hope and let go of dread, because what has been is behind us, and what will be is in the hands of our loving Father.

Are you walking your path in life, or are you walking down the path which God is leading you?