"Confidence, No Matter What" - Portion of a book that I am really enjoying

We have learned what God is like through the revelation of His word. We have experienced the blessings, the peace, the joy, the freedom, that comes through Jesus. Now we must calculatedly place our confidence in Him, no matter what.

"At times ... to exercise faith seems utterly contrary to all the evidences of sense or emotion; but our will must be kept

on God's side. We must believe that in Jesus Christ is everlasting strength and efficiency." -Our High Calling, p. 124.

"There are those who find it hard to exercise faith, and they place themselves on the doubting side. These lose much

because of their unbelief. If they would control their feelings, and refuse to allow doubt to bring a shadow over their

own minds and the minds of others, how much happier and more helpful they would be." -The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, on Matt. 28:17, p. 1110.

We must, then, choose to trust God. Having established in our hearts and minds that He is true, we must place our minds in an attitude of trust toward Him. This advice is sound psychologically, as well as spiritually. John Wesley's Moravian friend, Peter Boehler, advised him, "Live by faith until you have faith."

Ellen White gives the same kind of advice:

If you want faith, talk faith; talk hopefully, cheerfully. -Testimonies, vol. I, p. 699.

Those who talk faith and cultivate faith will have faith, but those who cherish and express doubts will have doubts.

 - Ibid., vol. 5, p.302

 

You have to talk faith, you have to live faith, you have to act faith, that you may have an increase of faith; and thus

exercising that living faith you will grow to strong men and women in Christ Jesus. -The SDA Bible Commentary,

 

Ellen G. White Comments, on Luke 17:5, pp. 1121, 1122.

Faith is simple in its operation and powerful in its results. Many professed Christians, who have a knowledge of the

sacred Word, and believe its truth, fail in the childlike trust that is essential to the religion of Jesus. They do not reach
out with that peculiar touch that brings the virtue of healing to the soul.

-Ibid., Ellen G. White Comments, on Rom. 5: 1, p. 1074.

Ellen G. White gives two other requirements necessary for faith: "In order for a man's faith to be strong, he must be much with God in secret prayer." -Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 236. "In order to strengthen faith, we must often bring it in contact with the

Word." -Education, p. 254.

We close with a word of caution, exhortation, and assurance. First, the words of caution and exhortation:

If we sink down and give way to the temptations of Satan, we shall grow weaker and get no reward for the trial, and shall not be so well prepared for the next. In this way we shall grow weaker and weaker, until we are led captive by Satan at his will.

-Christian Experience and Teachings, p. 103.

 

The very time to exercise faith is when we feel destitute of the Spirit. When thick clouds of darkness seem to hover over

the mind, then is the time to let living faith pierce the darkness and scatter the clouds. -Ibid., p. 126.

Then there is this statement: "Faith grows by conflicts with doubts" (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 191).

How to Be a Victorious Chrisian, Thomas Davis