Faith in a Christian Life
...d, patriarchs such as David chose faith as the foundation of his life. There is the one well-known story about David and Goliath. David was the youngest of three in his family. He was a young boy who helped his father by attending the sheep. Goliath, in the other hand was a philistine champion soldier. He was a giant of a man, measuring over nine feet in stature and a skilled soldier. The story illustrates that David was not only a young boy but was at a disadvantage from many aspects such as not having body armor, a sword or even a shield to protect him during this battle. Despite David’s obvious disadvantages, David had faith in God. David’s shield, sword and armor where represented by his faith. The bible tells us the following “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” (Eph. 6:16). David believed that he would conquer through the strength of God despite the circumstances because of his faith in the lord almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom he represented. Another patriarch who exemplified his faith in God was Job. The story of Job tells us that he was an upright and very wealthy man in the tribal culture of the ancient world. But Satan insisted that the integrity of Job had never been tested. He accused Job of serving God only because God had protected him and made him wealthy. God grants permission for the testing to begin. In a rapid fashion, Job’s sons and daughters are killed and all his fortune is lost. Finally, Job himself is stricken with a terrible skin disease. Shortly after, three friends arrive to mourn with him and offer him comfort but in the end, instead they launched into long lectures and philosophical debates to show Job the reason for his suffering. To summarize the story in the end Job endures his testing through his faith. In the midst of pain and confusion, Job’s love and faith in God prevailed and because of his faith all his worldly goods are restored twofold. As I reflect on the various chapters of my personal and my professional life, I am able to see how Faith has carried me through. As a result, I am left overwhelmed by a gracious and forgiving God who has blessed and guided me throughout my life. My Christian faith has not always defined who I am, or has been the foundation of my life, but it has been a constant hope towards a better tomorrow. I realize that God has always had a plan and a purpose for me even through those times when I did not acknowledge his presence in my life. My personal life has been greatly affected by my faith in God as a Christian man. As a go through my separation with my wife and contemplate a possible divorce, I am able to see the footprints of God as well as the fruits of my faith working in the midst of this trial. Knowing that God is faithful and that his promises are everlasting, I have been able to use my faith in God to carry me through many of the emotions typically associated with separation in a marriage and ultimately divorce. It is my faith that continues to feed my heart that there is hope for a brighter tomo...