Faith is an action.
Faith is:
"For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7
It is how we live -- our mode of living.
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]" Proverbs 3:5-6
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Proverbs 11:6
Tragedy strikes everyone -- we will go through ugly. All humans do.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
Matthew 5:43-45
Asking questions vs. Questioning:
Asking questions of God is acceptable. Our Father wants us to come to him when we are troubled. But questioning who He is, his motives, is a form of unbelief and is a sin. He is always good.
"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death," Psalm 13:1-3
This psalm begins with David asking why and ends with David praising God, trusting him.
We brought evil into the world. God didn't. Go to God as your Father, your loving Father. Ask in Faith.
"But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me." Psalm 13:5-6
God's Patience:
"But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Psalm 86:15
"he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities." Psalm 103:10
Nothing we go through is unique -- everyone will experience tragedy, death of loved ones; suffering.
We Serve a living God:
"26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[a] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’[b] 29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:26-31
No more excuses. He knows your pain. He knows all of you.
So Why Doesn't God fix it?
He's going to.
"Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" Romans 2:4
God's intention is to lead us all to repentance.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
Heavenly Perspective:
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
Speak up for Jesus. People need him.
"2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:2-5
God's Character:
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” Exodus 34:6-7
"37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers," Romans 8:37-38
Application:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near." James 5:7-8
"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me." Micah 7:7