In his last year on this earth, Steve Jobs reflected on life. “The best six doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence and friends.”
As smart as Steve Jobs may have been, I think he missed a most significant power. Although those six are important forces in any life, I would have to add “faith” to that list. With faith being just as strong and just as consistent, it can be a life-changer reducing stress and worry.
Faith is so powerful they even say, “Faith can move mountains.”
Your faith is power pulling peace out of conflict, abundance out of lack, meaning out of sorrow, and peace of mind out of doubt.
Faith can comfort you with peace in the midst of conflict.When the chaos and stress of daily living weigh you down you can go deep inside of your soul, finding peace in your Divine connection, your Rock. “Come to me, all of you that are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Faith can discover abundance in lack. The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they do have. Jobs, money and position don’t ensure happiness nor do they ensure true abundance. “My cup runneth over.” (Psalm 23:5)
Faith can give you meaning in the midst of sorrow. God did not promise us an easy journey breezing through life. But he did promise a safe return. Earth is a Life School teaching us valuable lessons for our personal growth and good. “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope.” (Romans 5: 3-4)
Faith can be a rock in the mist of doubt. We are, first and foremost, spiritual beings, but we are having a temporal existence. We are pelted with doubts in this contrast. Why am I here? What am I suppose to do? Am I on the right track? If God really loves me why isn’t he answering my prayers? How can an all-loving God let all this suffering happen?
Remember when Jesus encouraged Peter to the impossible, to walk on the water with him, Jesus responded, “What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)
Yes indeed, we need sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence and friends, but don’t forget about the power of faith.
“Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation.” (Andrew Murray)
