7 Ways Having Faith Makes You View Every Day Differently
- Whitney Hopler Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- Published Aug 12, 2024
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Faith is a powerful force that can profoundly transform your perspective on everyday life. It’s more than a set of beliefs – it’s a lens through which you can view the world, bringing deeper meaning and understanding to every moment. If you walk in faith, your daily experiences can be full of hope and inspiration. Faith can profoundly change your outlook on life for the better. Here are 7 ways faith makes you every day differently than you would be able to if you didn’t have faith:
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1. Faith gives you a sense of purpose.
Slide 1 of 7One of the most significant ways faith changes your daily perspective is by giving you a clear sense of purpose. Instead of feeling like you’re drifting aimlessly, when you have faith, you find meaning and fulfillment by living with purpose. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” This verse reassures you that God has a specific and positive plan for your life. Knowing that can give you the confidence and motivation you need to live each day well. Faith also teaches that your purpose is not just about your personal goals but about serving God’s greater plan.
Ephesians 2:10 points out: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Every loving action you take, no matter how small, can be a part of fulfilling this God-given purpose. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, excelling in your job, or encouraging a friend, each task that you do with love is an opportunity to serve God’s plan. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
By submitting your plans and desires to God, you can find clarity and direction in your life’s purpose. Trusting in God’s wisdom rather than your own understanding helps you align your daily actions with God’s will. When faced with uncertainty, you can trust that each step you take is part of a greater journey crafted by God. This perspective transforms your daily life, making even mundane tasks significant. By recognizing that every moment is an opportunity to fulfill your God-given purpose, you can approach your life with enthusiasm and dedication. Each interaction, decision, and effort becomes a chance to glorify God and advance God’s kingdom.
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2. Faith gives you resilience and hope.
Slide 2 of 7Faith provides resilience and hope, especially in hard times. When you trust that God is with you in every challenging situation and that your suffering has a purpose, you can draw strength from your faith. Isaiah 40:31 declares: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This promise of renewed strength and endurance empowers you to persevere through difficulties. Knowing that God is your source of strength allows you to confront challenges with a hopeful heart. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by adversity, you can trust that each struggle is an opportunity for growth and that God will give you the strength you need to overcome it. The Bible also reminds you that suffering can lead to personal growth and character development.
Romans 5:3-5 explains: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” This passage highlights that enduring hardships can strengthen your character and deepen your hope in God's promises. Faith also assures you that God is always with you, even in the most challenging circumstances you go through.
Psalm 23:4 says that God’s presence is a constant source of protection and guidance: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” By embracing resilience and hope, you can face life's challenges with confidence, trusting that God will give you whatever you need day by day.
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3. Faith helps you notice and appreciate God’s blessings in your life.
Slide 3 of 7Faith shifts your focus away from what you lack and toward the blessings God is constantly pouring into your life. Developing an attitude of gratitude can change your outlook, inspiring you to recognize and be thankful for God’s gifts to you. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Bible urges you to: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This verse reminds you that gratitude is not conditional but should be practiced in all circumstances. By acknowledging and giving thanks for the blessings in your life, you can experience more contentment and enjoy noticing the wonder of God’s work in your life.
Psalm 65:8 celebrates how God’s wonder is everywhere for us to discover: “The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” By pursuing wonder – through a stunning sunset, beautiful music, the laughter of a child, or many other awe-inspiring experiences, you can deepen your appreciation for God’s blessings. Faith also teaches you to trust God to provide whatever you need and be content with that.
In Philippians 4:11-13, the Apostle Paul says: “… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
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4. Faith teaches you compassion and kindness.
Slide 4 of 7Faith emphasizes the importance of compassion and kindness. When you have faith, you’re much more likely to treat others with love and respect than if you don’t have faith. By embodying these values, you can make a positive impact on those around you. Ephesians 4:32 urges: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Practicing compassionate kindness intentionally allows you to reflect God’s love to others, creating a ripple effect of positivity. Acts of kindness can transform your relationships for the better and build a supportive and loving community.
The Bible also calls you to love others as yourself. In Mark 12:29-31, Jesus answers a question about which of God’s commandments is most important: “The most important one, answered Jesus, is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” By treating others with the same care and respect you desire for yourself, you can build an environment of mutual support and understanding.
Also, faith teaches you that showing kindness to others is an important way of serving God. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus speaks about his response to someone who shows kindness by helping others: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” By helping those in need, you are honoring God and fulfilling his commands to love and serve others.
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5. Faith empowers you to pursue forgiveness.
Slide 5 of 7Faith teaches the importance of forgiveness – both in forgiving others and seeking forgiveness for yourself. This helps you release grudges and move forward with a lighter heart, improving your well-being. Colossians 3:13 encourages you to: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
By practicing forgiveness, you can let go of past pain and focus on the present. This act of letting go frees you from the burden of resentment and opens your heart to love and reconciliation. When you forgive, you mirror God’s grace and mercy, building healthier and more meaningful relationships in your life. Forgiveness is a continuous process. Matthew 18:21-22 points out: “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
You need to forgive repeatedly, reflecting God’s unlimited love. By forgiving people who have hurt you and asking God to forgive you for your own mistakes, you can release negative emotions, build healthier relationships, and experience the freedom that comes from living in God’s grace.
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6. Faith motivates you to look beyond yourself to serve others.
Slide 6 of 7Faith encourages you to focus on serving others rather than seeking personal glory. This perspective shifts your priorities from self-centered ambitions to generous acts of service, enriching your life along with the lives of the people you serve. By serving others, you reflect God’s compassion and create a more caring community. Philippians 2:3-4 urges: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
This call to humility and service can transform your daily life for the better. By putting other people’s needs above your own, you can build stronger relationships and contribute to the well-being of your community. Acts of service – such as working hard on a volunteer project or listening well to someone who needs caring attention – give you a strong sense of fulfillment. Faith teaches that true greatness is found in serving others. Jesus reveals in Mark 10:43-45: “… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus himself modeled servant leadership, emphasizing that serving others is a path to true greatness.
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7. Faith gives you an eternal perspective.
Slide 7 of 7Faith shows you what has eternal value and reminds you that your time on earth is temporary and that your true home is with God in heaven. This eternal perspective influences how you prioritize your time, resources, and energy, helping you to focus on what has lasting significance. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:18: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Faith helps you see that it’s wise to prioritize spiritual growth and relationships over acquiring material things. It reminds you that your ultimate goal is to glorify God and grow in holiness. By focusing on what truly matters, you can live a life that fulfills God’s important purposes for you.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus advises: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This encourages you to invest in things of eternal value, such as love, kindness, and spiritual growth, rather than temporary material possessions.
In conclusion, faith profoundly transforms how you view and experience each day. It gives you a sense of purpose, it provides resilience and hope, it helps you notice and appreciate God’s blessings in your life, it teaches you compassion and kindness, it empowers you to pursue forgiveness, it motivates you to serve others, and it shows you an eternal perspective. By choosing to have faith, you can live a life that honors God and reflects his love – a life that truly matters that you can enjoy to the fullest!
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