Leap of Faith: What Does It Mean to Have Faith?

Welcome to my new blog series, Leap of Faith! This series is dedicated to encouraging Christian women with ADHD to take their eyes off what they can see, control, or predict and, instead, to trust God fully. Today, we’re going to tackle a question that’s foundational to our walk with God: What does it mean to have faith?

 

When life gets tough and challenges pile up, many of us struggle to understand what faith truly means. We may think that faith should feel like certainty—like knowing everything will turn out exactly how we want. But faith, as defined by God, is often something entirely different. It’s about believing in the unseen, trusting in the process, and relinquishing control to God. And yes, that can feel a little (or a lot!) uncomfortable.

 

Take a Leap of Faith

Recently, as I poured my heart out to God, I heard these words: “Take a leap of faith.” I was praying about so many issues, seeking specific answers, and those words initially felt like anything but an answer. Yet, as I sat quietly, thinking about that phrase, I began to understand. “Take a leap of faith” didn’t explain how things would work out or give me a clear roadmap, but it was an invitation to release my fears and control—and to trust that God was at work.

 

So, what exactly does it mean to have faith? Let’s dive into what the Bible teaches about faith and how it applies to our lives.

 

Faith: The Foundation of Trust

The Bible gives us a powerful definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 (NLT):
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”

 

Faith is confidence in God’s promises, even when we can’t see or understand how they’ll come to pass. It’s choosing to believe that God is working behind the scenes for our good, even when we feel afraid, uncertain, or overwhelmed.

 

For those of us who like to plan every detail, letting go and trusting in an unseen God may seem daunting. But faith is less about certainty and more about a deep-rooted trust in God’s unchanging character.

 

Romans 10:17 (NLT) says, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

This verse shows us that faith grows as we draw closer to God and immerse ourselves in His Word. The more we hear and study His promises, the more we’re reminded of His love and faithfulness.

 

Faith Means Letting Go of Control

In many ways, having faith is like taking a leap off the tallest building, trusting there’s a secure safety net below. It requires us to let go of control and allow God to catch us. This doesn’t mean ignoring our fears or denying our struggles—it means surrendering them to God.

 

As women with ADHD, many of us may feel especially challenged by the need for control, routines, or predictable outcomes to feel grounded. But faith asks us to loosen our grip on our plans and give God space to guide us. We trust that He knows our needs, our challenges, and our unique strengths better than anyone else.

 

Practical Ways to Strengthen Your Faith

If you’re feeling uncertain or struggling to grasp the meaning of faith, try these practical exercises:

 

1. Reflect on God’s Past Faithfulness: Write down times in your life when you’ve seen God’s hand at work. Reflecting on His faithfulness in the past can help build your confidence that He’s working now, even if you can’t see it.
2. Journal Your Prayers and Answered Prayers: Start a prayer journal, noting what you pray about and how God responds over time. Sometimes answers come in unexpected ways and tracking them helps you remember His ongoing care and guidance.
3. Memorize Scripture About Faith: Commit verses like Hebrews 11:1 and Romans 10:17 to memory. When doubts creep in, these words can ground you, reminding you that faith isn’t about seeing—it’s about believing.
4. Take Small Leaps of Faith: When you sense God calling you to take a small step, even if it feels risky or uncertain, lean in and trust Him. Every leap, no matter how small, strengthens your faith muscles!

Trust God for the Outcome

Having faith doesn’t mean life will be smooth or without challenges. Faith doesn’t erase obstacles, but it does give us confidence that God is with us. We don’t have to know the outcome or control the process. Instead, we can take the leap, trusting that God’s plans are always greater than our own.

 

As we continue this series, remember that faith isn’t just about believing in God—it’s about believing God Himself. It’s about letting go of our desire for certainty and trusting that God is faithful, even when we can’t see it.

 

So, what does it mean to have faith? It means leaning into God’s promises, trusting in His character, and choosing to believe in the reality of what we hope for—even without tangible evidence. Taking that leap may be scary, but we can find peace knowing that God is right there to catch us.

 

Let’s Chat!

1. What does “having faith” mean to you personally?
2. Have you ever taken a leap of faith? How did it change your perspective?
3. What are some obstacles you face in trusting God fully?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Let’s build a safe and strong community of support. I look forward to hearing from you!