discussing Problems and using faith

Excerpted from Bill Johnson:

There are many who are unable to discuss a problem because for them it is a sign of unbelief. Real faith can stand up to any challenge and any subject. But it must be anchored in the One who is faithful.

Faith doesn’t deny a problem’s existence. It denies it a place of influence. Honest conversation, expressing needs, fears, and the like, must be welcome in the family of God. We are growing into a mature representation of Jesus, and process must be allowed and celebrated. This is especially true for young believers. Mocking someone for weak faith never creates great faith. But a faith culture must understand that when people are overcome by challenges in life, we must not mirror their fear to prove we’re with them. To be a part of the answer, be the loving support that functions out of peace.

Jesus often spoke to people about their unbelief. Once again, He never withheld a miracle because of weak faith or unbelief. If they had enough faith to come to Him, He responded to their need as the Father’s redemptive solution. It seems to me He addressed their unbelief so that after the miracle came, they could step into greater faith.

The issue of faith was of much more importance to Jesus than to most of us. Jesus was so concerned about this issue that He asked if He would find any on the earth when He returned.

The bottom line is that mystery is a huge part of a disciple’s life. That’s why we’re given promises about all things working for good. And He will complete what He started. Faith works in tandem with peace. Faith satisfies the appetite of the questioning heart when understanding is missing. It is substance.

One of the things that makes room for the spirit of revelation to come is that we are willing to embrace mystery. What you don’t understand is as important as what you do understand. If a person who has been given tremendous revelation and an equally weighty mystery can walk in the call of God by revelation and not be pulled off by the mystery (the inability to answer important questions), that person will discover the richness of the call of God.