Does Faith Grow Naturally?

2 Peter 1:1 “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:”

2 Thessalonians 1:3 “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”

Think

Dr. Congdon once shared his frustrations with Bible teacher R.A. Torrey, feeling stuck because his Bible study seemed to be going nowhere. “How can I study it so that it really speaks to me?” he asked. Torrey’s advice was simple but challenging: “Read it more,” he said. “Take one book, like Second Peter, and read it twelve times a day for a month.” Dr. Congdon and his wife took this advice to heart, diving deep into Second Peter multiple times daily. This intense repetition turned the Scripture into something vivid and alive. Dr. Congdon later said it felt like “the stars in the heavens were singing the story of Second Peter.”

Their commitment to studying transformed not just their understanding, but also their emotions, even their thought processes. Dr. Congdon’s study sessions became deeply personal and spiritual. He described how he would read Second Peter on his knees, marking the passages with crayons as tears mixed with the colors. Looking at the worn and colorful pages, he remarked to his wife, “See how I have ruined this part of my Bible.” Her response highlighted the profound change in him: “Yes, but as the pages have been getting black, your life has been getting white.”

This experience underscores that faith isn’t just about one moment of conversion; it’s a journey that grows and deepens over time. Our faith shapes how we think, how we react, and even how we handle difficulties. It really shows its strength when we’re tested. Do we focus on the pain and struggle, or can we see the big picture, recognizing God’s hand at work even in tough times?

Faith also affects our emotions more than we might realize. Doubts can lead to anxiety and fear, pulling us into trying to control everything ourselves. But when we fill our minds with God’s words, focusing on his promises and wisdom, everything changes. We start to rely more on his understanding than our own. This shift doesn’t just help us cope with challenges; it brings a peace and joy that protect our hearts and minds, making us resilient in the face of life’s storms.

Apply

Select one book of the Bible to focus on deeply. This could be a shorter book like James, Jonah, Philippians or Ephesians. Commit to reading your chosen book several times a day for the next week or even a month; this will give you the repetition to internalize the message and see themes. Pray over it and ask God to help you grow. Journal or discuss what you are reading and learning with a close friend.

Pray

Heavenly Father, I want to know more about you and grow my faith. Give me the discipline and steadiness to stay focused in my search of the Scriptures. Let the words I read become a part of me, influencing my thoughts, words, and actions. Continue to transform my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.