Joni’s Heart on Faith

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1  

Like her, I know Jesus is the answer to my every need.   

The hemorrhaging woman provides a picture of faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for. And hope in the Bible always means confidence in God’s character and his promises.   

What is faith? 

Faith is the empty hand reaching out with hope-filled confidence in Christ, knowing that he is always good on his promises, and he’s the only one who can do something about our need. No wonder Jesus was moved so deeply by that precious woman! When he saw her faith in him, he called her “Daughter.” And then he said to her: 

“Your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”   

This woman’s faith was merely the vehicle through which she placed her confidence in Jesus. And, oh, does that please God! Hebrews 11:6 says,  

“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.”  

You want to please God? Then earnestly come to Jesus—eagerly seek him, pushing through the crowd and believing that he is your answer. That is our soul’s response when it knows it needs Christ.  

Grab Hold of Christ 

Over the past 58 years in this wheelchair, on those hard and disappointing days when I have no energy to move forward into life, and there are many… When I feel deflated or I start toying with doubt, I remember the hemorrhaging woman. And like her, I push through the crowd of my sad thoughts. I reach out my empty hand and, with all my heart, I grab hold of Christ. He sees my faith, and he is pleased.   

He is so pleased, in fact, that he sends frequent troubles so that my faith will be strengthened. I mean, it doesn’t say much about my faith if I can only trust God when things are easy. But when I choose to trust Jesus while lying on a sickbed for weeks, it proves that my faith is genuine. If we can but hold fast to Jesus when trials test our faith, it shows all of heaven that we think—we know—Jesus Christ is worth it all. And we value him supremely above our pain and discomfort.  

This is why our faith has the capacity to please God, for it is the vehicle through which his Son, Jesus, receives applause and honor—fame and glory. A sturdy, robust faith that remains unwavering through trials is the same faith that says alongside Job,

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.”   

Let’s Trust God Together! 

So, let’s be like the woman in Mark chapter five and hold fast to the hem of Christ’s garment saying,  

“Jesus, I trust you and your promises. You died for me. That makes you more than trustworthy. And I know you will never fail me!”  

For that, my friend, is faith.  

-Joni Eareckson Tada