The Power of Informed Hope

Worry and anxiety often stem from a deep-seated desire to control the uncontrollable. When we face variables that we inherently cannot manage, our minds spiral into a state of apprehension. This loss of control can lead us to act out of character, revealing our raw, untrained selves.

Our reactions to stress and frustration expose our true character. When we can't control a situation, our anxiety and unease surface. We may present a calm demeanor when things are going well, but challenging circumstances reveal our mental instability and uneducated character. This exposure is particularly stark when we desire a beneficial outcome but are unable to influence events as we wish.

Recognizing our true character in these moments is difficult. However, there are strategies to make this realization more bearable. The key lies in exercising faith and hope. Faith is often touted as the solution to anxiety, but understanding what faith truly means is crucial.

Faith is defined as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). In essence, faith is the result of hope. If we are anxious or worried, it's not because we lack faith, but because our hope is not well-founded.

To develop genuine faith, we must first cultivate informed hope. This process starts with knowledge. Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding in Ephesians 1:17-18, where he prays for wisdom and revelation to guide minds into knowing the hope of their calling. Knowledge enlightens our understanding and informs our hope.

An educated hope alleviates anxiety because it is based on a solid foundation of knowledge. Proverbs 11:9 and Isaiah 53:11 highlight the deliverance and justification that comes through knowledge. To have faith in anything, we need to understand what we are placing our hope in.

Our first step is to seek knowledge about what we hope for. This informed hope leads to a full and unwavering faith. When our hope is educated, it eliminates the root causes of worry and anxiety. An intelligent hope, purified by understanding, will not lead to unease.

Practical Steps to Develop Informed Hope:

1. Seek Knowledge: Understand what you are hoping for. Explore the reasons behind your hope.

2. Educate Your Hope: Ensure your hope is based on solid, factual knowledge rather than emotional willpower or misinformation.

3. Build Confidence: Let your informed hope guide you towards a stable and confident belief.

To overcome worry and anxiety, we must focus on building an informed hope. Faith, as the culmination of this hope, will naturally follow. By educating our hope, we create a foundation that is not easily shaken by life's uncontrollable variables. This approach not only alleviates anxiety but also leads to a healthier, more active life. So, before you tell yourself or someone else to "have faith," remember that you first need to seek knowledge and understand what you hope for. This informed hope will pave the way for a steadfast faith, free from worry and anxiety.

How Faith Learns: Embracing a Transformative Approach to Spiritual Growth

In our ever-evolving journey of personal devotional development, one crucial dialogue often overlooked is how our faith learns. If we place immense value on how we and our children learn, shouldn’t we apply the same level of care to the growth and understanding of our faith?

I was once a student, navigating the halls of elementary school and high school. Reflecting on those years, I recall the pervasive assumption that we inherently knew how to learn. The traditional educational model emphasized memorization—a useful tool for passing exams or completing assignments, but not conducive to lifelong or self-regulated learning.

Much of what we hold as beliefs isn't genuinely learned but memorized. This method, while seemingly efficient, often becomes our default learning strategy. Over time, it shapes our perception of knowledge, confining us to what is easily remembered rather than what is deeply understood. This superficial grasp leaves the true essence of knowledge unexplored.

Our faith should be treated as a living entity, much like a child. Just as we experience and learn through our thoughts and feelings, our faith needs to be nurtured through thoughtful engagement. Learning that incorporates both intellect and emotion fosters a deeper connection, allowing our faith to grow authentically. In contrast, rote memorization fails to engage the inward person, making learning feel like a burdensome task.

It's a common misconception that faith inherently knows all things. In reality, our faith often only knows what it has memorized. This method, rooted in discipline rather than understanding, limits the depth of our spiritual knowledge. The Bible speaks to this limitation: "And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know," (1 Corinthians 8:2).

The author writing to the Corinthians understood the flaws in the prevailing learning methods of their time. The Bible criticizes the so-called “learned” individuals who, despite their memorization skills, fail to grasp true wisdom: "The leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed," (Isaiah 9:16). This criticism highlights the need for a different learning approach, one that transcends mere memorization.

The Bible’s words remain sealed to conversations solely relying on memorization. To unlock the profound wisdom of the scriptures, a different learning method is required—one that involves making sense of the Bible's words through active engagement. This is encapsulated in the principle, "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little," (Isaiah 28:10).

The Bible advocates for a hands-on approach to learning: "Which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled…," (1 John 1:1). This method encourages us to seek wisdom and understanding actively: "I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things," (Ecclesiastes 7:25).

The Bible favors meditation over memorization as a learning strategy. Meditation involves a comprehensive approach to understanding and internalizing knowledge, leading to a more profound and lasting faith: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night," (Psalm 1:1-2).

Memorization requires constant reminders and re-memorization to maintain belief. In contrast, meditation and active engagement with the scriptures infuse our faith with a living, breathing understanding: "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people," (Jeremiah 31:33).

When memorization dominates our devotional conversations, it reflects an act of self, suggesting we are the architects of our belief. True belief is fostered by self-control. It acknowledges a higher power guiding our devotional journey: "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit," (Ecclesiastes 8:8).

Recognizing that our belief has a level of consciousness for character development is crucial. Every instance of controlling our faith stifles its growth. To allow our belief to flourish, we must embrace the Bible's method of learning—one that fosters an organic, self-sustaining growth without our interference.

It's time to move beyond a memorized faith and courageously build a foundation for a valid, living faith. By learning how to learn with our faith, we can nurture a deeper, more meaningful devotional journey. Let your faith breathe and grow, guided by understanding and meditation, rather than mere memorization.

Are You Thinking Critically About What You Think You Know?

In the quest for knowledge, are you genuinely understanding, or merely possessing information? There's a significant difference between truly comprehending something and simply accepting the opinions of so-called "experts." Often, what we consider knowledge is just an interpretation of religious texts by self-proclaimed authorities. When we discuss the Bible, we frequently echo the sentiments of pastors or theologians rather than sharing insights gained from our own critical examination.

Why is it so crucial to understand and prove what you believe? It’s not unusual to care deeply about the foundation of your faith. Yet, many are content to inherit knowledge without personal investigation. Instead of delving into the Bible themselves, they rely on interpretations from supposed religious leaders and scholars. This approach stifles the intellect and undermines our spiritual growth.

We possess brains, hearts, and minds for a reason—to think critically and feel deeply. The Bible encourages this kind of reflective practice, stating, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning,” (Proverbs 9:9).

Do you realize that much of what you learn from religious leaders isn't considered Bible-based understanding? Many pastors and scholars merely propagate interpretations rooted in tradition and philosophy rather than the undefiled wisdom of the Bible. This is why it's essential to scrutinize and validate your beliefs through personal study and reflection.

The Bible often speaks of “the sons of men” and “the sons of God.” For instance, Solomon distinguishes between the labor given to the sons of men and the wisdom, knowledge, and joy granted to the good in God’s sight (Ecclesiastes 2:26). In biblical terms, a “son” isn't just a literal offspring but a messenger or minister of religious doctrine. Likewise, a “man” symbolizes a priest, prophet, or spiritual leader.

A “son of man” thus represents someone whose spiritual understanding is derived from previous religious traditions and teachings. This inherited knowledge can sometimes overshadow the original vision of the Bible. The “sons of men” are often caught up in philosophical interpretations, blinding them to the true essence of biblical wisdom. I have given a presentation on who the sons of men and the sons of God are.

To develop a profound understanding of the Bible, we must personally engage with its words. This means moving beyond the secondhand interpretations offered by others and cultivating our own insights. As we critically analyze and weigh what we've been taught against the actual text, we can attain a deeper comprehension of our belief.

We need to be able to answer the question: Who am I? By critically examining our beliefs, we become proficient in the Bible's language of wisdom. This transformation is urged in Romans 12:2: “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We are designed to think and to feel, to labor wisely with our hearts and minds. Embracing critical thinking and “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) leads to sure knowledge that we can live by. This journey involves both learning and unlearning, guided by acquired wisdom from the Bible, for our personal growth and the edification of those around us.

We have a responsibility to nurture our faith’s intellect. Remaining solely under the teachings of the “sons of men” can limit our spiritual understanding. Instead, by examining the Bible personally and critically, we can discover its profound truths and apply them to our lives. This approach not only enriches our own spiritual journey but also benefits those within our influence, fostering a community grounded in the Bible’s true wisdom.