Faith is Not Denying Reality

In review of 2 Corinthians 4:18 it says, “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.”

Bottom Line:

We should fix our attention on what we can’t see, what we see is only temporary, but the things of God is what is going to last.

What this means to me:

So I shouldn’t fix my attention on what I can currently see, rather I should focus on what is unseen. For the things I see now will soon be gone, but the things of God that I cannot see will last forever.

What I’m learning is that faith is not denying reality. It’s not pretending I don’t have a problem. Faith is not saying, “I’m not in pain” when I am. It’s not saying, “I don’t hurt” when I do. It’s not saying, “I’m happy” when I’m really grieving inside. That’s not faith; it’s phoniness! Faith is facing the facts without being disheartened by them, knowing that God is greater than the problem.

There are many who think we should “Deny all of your problems. Just have a positive confession. Name it and claim it.” However this kind of thinking did not come from Jesus.

What I understand is that faith is actually facing reality without being discouraged by it. You know that God can change a situation. You can build a family on faith, but you can’t build it on fantasy. You can build a business on faith, but not on fantasy. You can build a life on faith, but not on fantasy.

The key is to look beyond the circumstances: “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen [the problem] is temporary, but what is unseen [God’s power] is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV).

If I look at the world, I’m going to be distressed. There are problems everywhere! If I look within, I’m going to be depressed, because there are a lot of things that need changing in my life. But if I look at Jesus Christ, I’ll be at rest. It all depends on where I am focused.

I’ve heard it say, that “circumstances are like a mattress: Get on top, and you rest easy. Get underneath, and you suffocate.” When I start looking at my problem, I’m sunk. But if I look at Jesus, truly look toward my Deliverer rather than the difficulty, I’ll make it.

In summary faith is not denying reality like some might think. Faith is actually facing my reality without being discouraged by it. It’s knowing that God is in control. The key for me is to look beyond the circumstance and truly look toward my Deliverer rather than the difficulty.