This is an excerpt from Without Wavering by Alexandra Hoover.

The concept of faith used to feel mythical, almost fictitious, to me. Like a concept you’d hear about in your favorite fairytale. Before I knew Jesus, it felt more like a make-believe disposition. Just have faith; God’s in control. I’m sure you’ve heard that before. Once I became a follower of Jesus, I knew faith was about something more, something deeper, but it was still so difficult for me to grasp.

Blind faith is the term that played over and over in my mind as I took steps to know and trust God. I’ve not always been the most trusting person; people have let me down so many times that it’s hard to put my trust in anyone else. The thought of blind faith felt absolutely too costly and too terrifying. I struggled to have faith and trust in God even though I knew Him to be good. Maybe you can relate.

What holds you up when everything else has let you down? The only sustaining answer is this: You hold onto the faith and hope you have in Jesus.

Alexandra Hoover

When the storms of life—and there are many—knock you down, and you look up from the ground to find yourself in a world of disarray, perhaps the words I just can’t keep doing this rise up in you. What happens when the prayer goes unanswered? When your soul is so worn that the thought of getting back into the deep blue sea of life feels impossible? You know it’s only a matter of time before those waves crash again. What holds you up when everything else has let you down? The only sustaining answer is this: You hold onto the faith and hope you have in Jesus.

“Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.”

Hebrews 10:23

When we truly believe that He who promised is faithful, then we can respond with a faith that is built up with resilience and perseverance, a faith without wavering because we know that God is going to finish His good work (Phil. 1:6).

THIS IS FOR YOU

For tired eyes that seek perseverance.For learning to love ourselves as God loves us.For embracing this season and all its nuance.For calling out courage and bravery.For learning to serve without applause.For learning to keep a steady gaze on Jesus.For hope and peace.For learning to pick ourselves back up.For being honest and vulnerable about our lack.For the gift of embracing each new battle scar.For allowing God to hold us and grace to carry us.For layers being pulled back so that new things can become.For a faith without wavering, found only in Christ.— Alexandra

Without Wavering by Alexandra Hoover

Enduring, resilient, courageous—these are qualities we want to describe our faith in God. But the truth is that faith is hard, especially when trials, setbacks, and failures seem to define us.