Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1

It’s important to understand that your thoughts shape your beliefs, and your beliefs shape who you become. As we begin a new season, let’s avoid having faith in the wrong direction. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, which can be both positive and negative. Be mindful of what you hope for and expect in your life.

Many of us unintentionally use faith negatively by focusing on “what if” scenarios. We often assume others have bad intentions, and when they do, we think, “I knew it.” We worry about our health, and then it starts to decline. We focus on the risks of our careers, and when we take them, we encounter everything we feared would go wrong.

Hebrews 11:1 doesn’t limit faith to only the positive things hoped. Faith goes both ways – if you hope and live in expectation for good things to happen, that is what you will see. If you hope and live in expectation always worrying about the bad things, that is what you will see. 

What is hope? Webster dictionary defines it as a desire for something with the expectation that it will happen. Hope is a confident expectation of good, not just wishful thinking. It’s different from saying, “Well, I hope so.” Hope is strong like a helmet, but if you set it aside, it won’t protect you from danger. When we lose hope, we lose the battle.

This means that our reality is based on what we think and dwell on. Sometimes the way we see our problems is, in fact, the problem itself. Commit to assuming more positive intent within your relationships, careers, and life. 

John 10:10 tells us that only the thief comes to steal and destroy us. What better way for the enemy to attack than in our minds first? As you become more mindful know that God came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. Rest knowing that God’s thoughts towards us are of peace and not of destruction as it says in Jeremiah 29:11. 

God loves us and He thinks very highly of us. Make the decision to see yourself as God sees you. 

You might feel like everything is falling apart, but remind yourself, “Something good is coming.” Often, you won’t believe it. You may feel alone and unsure of how to go on. You’ll need to rely on God’s strength, as we don’t have the energy to keep going on our own.