One thing that happens the longer you study the Bible is that you start paying closer attention to the context of Jesus’ teachings. It’s easy to assume that His messages were always the same, but they weren’t.

Jesus did everything with intention. Mark 11 captures a pivotal moment in His ministry as He entered Jerusalem, cursed the fig tree, cleansed the temple, and taught on faith. These weren’t random actions; they revealed deeper truths about faith, authority, and God’s unfolding plan.

Faith That Sees the End Before It Comes to Pass

One of the key themes in Mark 11 is the release of faith—faith that believes before it sees. Jesus cursed the fig tree, and though nothing appeared to happen immediately, the disciples later saw it had withered. This illustrates an important lesson:

God’s action is not always immediate.

Many of us are wired to have joy only when we see the outcome we desire. But real faith enables us to be at peace in the process, trusting that God’s promises will come to pass even when we don’t see evidence yet.

True faith reaches beyond what we can grasp. It’s the ability to trust God before the manifestation happens, knowing that what He says will come to pass.

Faith Comes from God Alone

All faith originates from God. He speaks, and we respond. Throughout Scripture, stories of faith always begin with God’s initiation.

• Abraham heard God’s promise before he stepped out in faith.
• Moses responded to God’s call at the burning bush.
• Gideon needed a word from God before he had the courage to lead.

The great men and women of faith in Hebrews 11 didn’t generate faith on their own—it was given to them through God’s promises. Faith is not about manufacturing belief; it’s about responding to what God has already spoken.

Enduring Through Difficulty: The Mark of Real Faith

The strength of our faith isn’t proven in comfort—it’s forged in difficulty. Hebrews 12 teaches that discipline and hardship are tools in God’s hands to shape us. When we are convinced of God’s promises, we are willing to endure challenges for the sake of what He has spoken.

God will take us through harder seasons because in those seasons, conviction, dependence, and strength are formed. You become someone different by walking through difficulty with God.

This is where knowledge of God outweighs feelings. Early in our faith journey, we may rely on emotions to feel close to God. But maturity comes when we can say, like Paul:

“I know how to abound and I know how to be abased.” (Philippians 4:12)

We learn to trust based on what we know of Him, not what we feel in the moment.

Passing Faith Down: The Influence of Parents

For many, their ability to trust in God is shaped by their earthly parents.

“As a child of an alcoholic parent, it took me a while to believe that God could be good. Someone with wonderful parents might have a more natural trust than I did. A good image of God as Father can be shaped by our earthly parents—but ultimately, all faith comes from God.” – Pastor Willie George

This is why our faith isn’t just for us—it impacts the next generation. As parents, we pass down more than just habits; we pass down our fears or our faith.

The Battle Begins in the Mind

When David faced Goliath, his confidence came from years of reminding himself of what God had done. A spiritually strong person has a good filter—they learn to separate their thoughts from truth. Faith isn’t about denying reality; it’s about anchoring yourself in what God has said despite how things look.

Before something becomes a stronghold in your life, it starts in your imagination. Our imagination was designed for good, but too often we use it to dwell on fears, temptations, and anxieties.

This is why discipline in our thought life is crucial.

Many live on an emotional rollercoaster because they don’t control their thoughts. But the Word of God gives us a way to take control:

• James says the tongue is like a bridle—what we say steers our thoughts.
• Biblical meditation means rehearsing the Word aloud.

Speaking Scripture over ourselves changes the way we think. The combination of the Word and the Spirit brings transformation. As we meditate on God’s truth, we start to divorce ourselves from unhealthy thought patterns and align our minds with faith.

Faith Is Not a Formula—It’s Trust in God’s Timing

One of the great themes of Scripture is that God often moves when it seems too late.

• Abraham and Sarah had a child when it was impossible.
• Lazarus was raised after being dead four days.
• Jesus rose after three days in the tomb.

Faith is not about formulas—it’s about trust. God works in His perfect timing, and our role is to remain faithful and keep trusting even when it looks too late.

Make Room for the Word of God

Faith isn’t just built in church services—it’s cultivated daily.

If we depend only on Sunday sermons for spiritual nourishment, we will be spiritually malnourished. We must carve out daily time to read the Word, even if it’s only a few minutes.

Even three minutes spent in the Word is worth it. The more we make room for God, the more we will see Him moving in our lives.

Faith That Holds On

Faith is not passive—it’s an active trust in the character and promises of God. It enables us to endure when things don’t make sense, to trust in the waiting, and to walk through difficulty knowing that God is forging something deeper in us.

Jesus did everything intentionally. His journey toward the cross was not accidental—it was part of God’s divine plan. Just like the fig tree withering over time, just like the Kingdom being proclaimed despite rejection, God’s promises will come to pass.

Our role is to trust, to meditate on His Word, and to hold onto His truth, knowing that what He has spoken will be fulfilled.

Even if all you have is a mustard seed of faith—hold onto it. It will grow.