⚠️ Kicking Off the Christmas Season: A Journey of Faith

 

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1  

In a world filled with uncertainties and a noticeable decline in moral values, it seems increasingly rare to find individuals standing steadfast in the sacred place of integrity. Personally, I strive to be one of those individuals who seeks to do what is right—yet time and time again, I find myself falling short.  

This struggle is not new. The Apostle Paul, one of our Biblical ancestors, expressed a similar dilemma in Romans 7:15-20:  

15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 

16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 

17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 

18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 

19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 

20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  

Paul’s words resonate deeply because they reflect an honest struggle with sin—a struggle many of us can relate to. His raw emotions reveal his frustration with doing what he should not and failing to do what he knows he should.  

You might be wondering how faith ties into all of this. The answer lies in understanding that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). If God calls us to fulfill His work on earth yet we find ourselves struggling with sin, could it be that our struggle stems from a lack of faith?  

Working with active and recovering addicts has taught me a profound lesson: addiction doesn’t always involve substance abuse. Addiction can be anything that robs you of your ability to make a conscious choice to stop negative behaviors—behaviors you despise yet feel powerless to resist.  

During this cycle of negativity, it may feel as though you’re losing your mind as intrusive thoughts bombard you day and night. Guilt begins to consume you, and as this cycle continues unchecked, your spiritual life suffers deeply.  

So the question becomes: How much faith do you have in a loving God who stands ready to help you break free from your pain and torment?  

As we enter this Christmas season—a time of hope and renewal—I invite you to reflect on your own faith journey. Join me as I embark on my own path of rediscovery and reengage in blogging as an act of faith and self-expression. 

Together, let’s explore how faith can transform our struggles into victories and our weaknesses into testimonies of God’s grace.