What Is Faith?

Understanding Faith: More Than Just Belief

Faith is one of those words we hear often, but when life gets hard, it’s not until then, we begin to understand how deeply it truly matters, especially as a mom and wife!

The Bible defines faith not as a feeling, but as trust. An action, grounded confidence in God’s promises, even when we can’t see the outcome. Hebrews 11:1 says,

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Faith isn’t wishful thinking. It’s a steady, anchored trust in God who keeps His word. So easy to do, right? Trusting in a God that is physically unseen, in a world that is all about “seeing is believing”. Especially in the chaos of this world. How can I, as a mom, have faith my kids are going to have a “normal” childhood, or how can I have faith my husband won’t lose his job? How will I have faith in those moments that things will work out when the future sometimes feels so unclear and, honestly, frightening? How can I let go of the constant worry I have as a mom?

The Hebrew Meaning of Faith: Emunah

In Hebrew, the word for faith is Emunah (אֱמוּנָה), which means to go far beyond simple belief. Emunah means steadfastness, faithfulness, and trust that leads to action. It carries the idea of living out our trust. Like leaning your full weight on something solid. Like not thinking the roof of your home is going to cave in on you, you don’t even think about it. You just trust that it’s there and will do its job. It’s not just saying, “I believe in God,” but showing that belief by the way we live, love, and respond to life’s challenges.

This Emunah is very hard for me. It is easier for me to be consumed in worry and fret over things that I would not have control over, regardless. So why do I let it consume me? Why do I not have trust that God has it all under control? Time and time again throughout scripture, God shows that he provides, protects, and cares for us. Jesus even says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” Luke 12:22-34 So, why do I think my particular circumstances are any different and that my reaction is to worry about all the possibilities?

You Aren’t Alone: Examples of People Who Struggled with Faith:

Abraham and Sarah laughed at God’s promise that they would have a son, despite being well past the age for having children. I am sure this story hits home with a lot of families who have been trying to grow their families, but with infertility or loss, they begin to wonder the same if God will deliver. Genesis 17:17-22, 18:10-15

Gideon. He tested God with fleece signs multiple times before being willing to lead the Israelite army, despite being called a “mighty warrior” by God. Judges 6:36

Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, refused to believe Jesus had been resurrected until he saw the wounds himself. As soon as he saw Jesus, with no mention of Thomas touching Jesus’ wounds like he said he would need to believe, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”. John 20:24-29

Peter, denied knowing Jesus three times, and also sank when he lost faith while walking on water towards Jesus. Yet, Jesus said to him, “So I tell you, you are Peter. And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church.” Matthew 16:18

Martha, someone in the bible I feel all too relatable with, she worried about many things and was anxious about her to-do list, despite Jesus’ teaching that she was focusing on the wrong things. She worried, had anxiety over the current situation of serving the food that eventually overwhelmed her. Making her lose focus on the true need in front of her. Luke 10:41-42

Emunah reminds us that real faith takes shape in action. It happens in prayer, in trust, in surrender to God’s word, and in leaving behind the things that distract us and call for our attention. To focus our attention on God and God alone.

When Faith Feels Hard

If we’re honest, faith often feels easy when life is calm and everything seems to be falling into place. But it’s when life gets hard, when the diagnosis comes, when finances are tight, when fear of the world around us grips our hearts as mothers, that our faith is tested and strengthened.

It’s in those moments that we remember: Faith doesn’t mean we never feel fear. It means we choose to trust God through the fear. It means trusting that God has maintained promises. It means being ok with the fact that some of our fears we will have to let go to God and not allow them to consume us.

When the world feels dark and uncertain, when headlines stir anxiety or you’re lying awake at night thinking about your kids’ futures (like I do) faith is the quiet whisper that says,

“God is still good. God is still here. God has already won. He has already prevailed over death, so what else do I have to worry about?”

As moms, so much of our worry comes from love. We long to protect, to plan, to provide. But faith gently reminds us that God loves our children even more than we do, and He is sovereign over their lives and our family’s lives.

Faith in the Everyday Moments

Faith isn’t just built in the big trials; it grows in the small, unseen moments.

It’s choosing prayer over panic when your plans fall apart.

It’s trusting God’s timing when doors seem to stay closed.

It’s opening your Bible even when your house feels loud and your mind feels weary.

It’s believing that changing diapers, cooking dinner, or picking up toys can still glorify God when done with love and purpose.

Even what feels mundane, feeding babies, wiping tears, or working quietly behind the scenes, can be sacred when it’s done in faith. That’s Emunah in action: trusting that God is working through every ordinary act of love, and trusting in God’s promise of redemption in your life.

How to Grow Your Faith

Growing faith doesn’t happen overnight. It’s like a muscle, strengthened through use, tested by resistance, and built one step of trust at a time. I can tell you that my faith has steadily grown over time, but it’s still not perfect. Whenever something horrible happens, my faith is weakened by my thoughts on the things around me. After a couple of days or prayer or doing all I can to let God take over that worry, it goes away. But this all takes practice, and I am still improving.

Here are a few simple ways to nurture your faith daily:

1. Start your day in the Word. Even five minutes in Scripture can reset your mind toward truth.

2. Pray honestly. God doesn’t need fancy words; He wants your heart. Here is a good resource on how to pray.

3. Keep a faith journal. Write down prayers and watch how God answers them. It’s powerful to look back and see His faithfulness. I personally do this, and it’s so amazing to look back and see answered prayers. There are so many, all because of God’s great mercy.

4. Surround yourself with believers. Community helps steady your faith when your own feels shaky.

5. Remember God’s past faithfulness. The same God who carried you before will carry you again. Read Genesis, Exodus, the Psalms, and Romans. See God’s ultimate plan and path for redemption through Jesus’s death and resurrection, and how that sacrifice saves us from death.

Faith in a Broken World

It’s easy to feel disheartened by the world. The chaos, confusion, and shifting values that seem to be happening every day. But faith reminds us that this world isn’t our home, and the battle has already been won.

Jesus said in John 16:33,

“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Faith anchors us to that truth. We don’t have to live in fear or despair. We live in hope, a hope rooted in Christ’s victory over eternal death. So when the world feels unstable, let your heart rest in what’s unchanging: God’s Word, His promises, and His presence.

Reflection Questions

1. Where do I struggle most to trust God right now?

2. How can I make space for prayer in my daily routine?

3. What has God done in the past that reminds me He’s faithful today?

4. How can I live out “Emunah”, faith in action, this week?

Final Encouragement

Faith is not about perfection; it’s about persistence. It’s the daily choosing to believe that God is who He says He is, even when we can’t see what’s ahead.

You don’t have to have it all figured out to walk by faith. You take the next step, trusting the One who holds your story, your children, and your future in His hands.

And if you don’t already have one, I highly recommend getting an ESV Study Bible. The ESV study bible has notes, cross-references, and explanations fill its pages, helping you dive deeper into Scripture and live out its truth each day.

If you want more faith-filled posts for encouragement, check more out here! Subscribe here to get alerts on new posts!

*This article contains affiliate links. *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.