As I grew, many things made faith a confusing concept for me. Given I was raised attending church three times a week, I most definitely learned about faith, but learning about the idea was vastly different from living it. I learned, according to 2 Corinthians 5:7, that all Christians must walk by faith and not by sight. Still, it took numerous life experiences before I began to comprehend the concept more completely.

To have “complete trust or confidence in someone or something” is one dictionary definition of faith. “Strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof” is another. Most Biblical scholars point to the verse cited above found in Hebrews 11:1.

As a young girl, I learned that I must believe and have faith to have a relationship with Jesus. I trusted Jesus to be my Savior at a young age and have never changed my mind, but I have had many life circumstances that have tried my faith. At times, both past and present, I found I had to choose faith even when I didn’t feel it. I learned a great deal about faith, and my walk with Christ deepened during these times of crisis. 

One of the most valuable faith lessons I have learned is, understanding is not a requirement of faith.