Have you ever run out of gas while driving? It doesn’t matter how nice your car is—if there’s no fuel, you’re not going anywhere. The same is true in your walk with God. Faith is the fuel that powers the victorious Christian life. Without it, you stall. But with it, you can move forward in confidence, expectation, and victory.
But what if your faith feels weak? What if you’re not sure how to grow your faith or even what real faith looks like? You’re not alone. Many believers struggle with understanding how to nurture their faith, but the Bible gives us clear direction.
What Is Faith, Really?
Faith is not just positive thinking or hoping things will work out. Faith is total dependence on God—taking Him at His Word and acting like He’s telling the truth. It’s like the children of Israel walking around Jericho for seven days. God had already promised the city to them, but they still had to obey and trust His plan. And when they did, the walls fell.
That’s what the Bible calls “entering into rest.” Hebrews 4 describes this rest as a life where you trust God so completely that you’re no longer striving in your own strength. You’re confident He’ll do what He said He would do. But here’s the twist—Hebrews 4:11 says, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest.” Sounds like a contradiction, right? Work to rest?
Not exactly. The word “labour” here means to give diligence. It means we’re to be intentional about building our faith—nurturing it daily.
So how do you do that?
1. Feed on the Word
Hebrews 4:12 follows that call to diligence with a powerful truth: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful.” Faith doesn’t grow in a vacuum—it grows in the soil of Scripture. Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
That means if you’re going through a tough time, the best thing you can do is open your Bible. Ask God to speak to you. Let His promises sink deep into your heart. When you see how He worked in the past, your confidence that He’ll work in your life will grow.
Need an example? Look at how God gave Israel victory at Jericho. He gave them a promise and a plan. When they trusted and obeyed, God came through. That’s how it works in your life too—God gives promises in His Word, and when you stand on them, He works in powerful ways.
2. Enter the Throne Room
Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Prayer is more than a religious duty—it’s access to the very presence of God.
Because of Jesus, you can come boldly before God with your failures, struggles, and needs. You’ll find mercy—His forgiveness when you’ve sinned—and grace—His strength when you feel weak.
This is where faith really comes alive. When you ask God to do what only He can do, and then watch Him answer, your faith is fed in a way nothing else can do. It’s not just theory anymore—it’s real. It’s personal.
3. Live with Expectation
When you start reading God’s Word and seeking Him in prayer, something changes. You stop hoping maybe He’ll help and start expecting Him to. You begin to rest—not in laziness, but in confident trust.
You’ll find yourself facing challenges with a different mindset. Instead of fear, you’ll walk in faith. Instead of doubt, you’ll have peace. Instead of relying on yourself, you’ll be leaning fully on the strength of Jesus.
Faith That Works
A pastor’s wife once shared how she grew up learning to trust God for everything—coats, food, you name it. She would simply ask God, and He would provide. That’s not just a sweet story; that’s how God wants every believer to live. Daily dependence. Simple trust. Bold asking.
So, how’s your faith today?
You don’t have to fake it. You just have to feed it. Open your Bible. Enter the throne room. Expect God to work. That’s how you nurture faith and live the victorious Christian life.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
Dr. Jim Van Gelderen is president of Minutemen Ministries, vice-president of Baptist College of Ministry, and evangelist out of Falls Baptist Church. He and his wife, Rhonda, travel the country in evangelism. They have three daughters.
Our words. AI polished. This article was adapted from the author's original content using AI. We’ve used technology to clarify and adapt the message—while keeping the heart and voice the same. All articles are proofread and edited by a human.
