As Christians we must understand what constitutes faith, and what does not. Failure to do this can cause great problems with our walk with God. Many people believe in God, but they do not have faith.

As long as our faith is grounded in what we see and experience, it will be shallow and will not hold up to the challenges of life. If we base our faith on current events, we can convince ourselves that God doesn’t care, or doesn’t listen to our prayers. This analysis is faulty and lacks the perspective of God’s plan. Joseph could have easily questioned why he was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely imprisoned and forgotten. He however placed his faith in God and trusted that these things in his life placed him in a position to be used by God for a mighty work. Authentic faith looks at the whole picture.

People are unwilling to accept faith for what it really is, instead of what they want it to be. They want faith to move God to do their will, not His. They want faith to be a way to get what they want from God when they want it. They wrongly believe that God’s decision to say no somehow means that He is displeased with them.

Faith is also not confidence. Many people feel that if they muster enough confidence that God will act on that need or want. Biblical faith is not desire. The difference between wishful thinking and faith is a promise. Faith is confidence that God is who He says He and that He will do what He has promised.