Back in the 70’s, “keep the faith” was a popular parting phrase. I doubt Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would have appreciated that remark as they were being thrown into the fiery furnace. Nor would Abraham have found encouragement in that sentiment as he headed up the mountain to sacrifice his son, his promised son, Isaac.

No doubt, each of these men demonstrated faith as they walked through unthinkable trials. But what was the key to their faith? In my experience, you can talk and philosophize all you want about faith, but you will not know whether or not you have tangible faith until you go through a difficult situation.

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “… the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” That makes lots of sense, especially when you realize that faith is not just faith in and of itself. Faith must have an object, something, or someone to have faith in. Otherwise, faith is simply wishful thinking.

Recently, I went through some physical trials. It seemed that the more I claimed that God was able to take care of me, the higher my blood pressure rose. Looking back on that experience, I wonder what I missed. I had to admit that the “trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5) part of faith was missing. The object of my faith was on “me” and my situation and not on Jesus and trusting Him with all my heart.

I heard a teaching recently that stated: “Nothing about Who God Is, will change because of my circumstances.” The three Israelites had already made the decision to trust in the LORD, no matter the consequences of that decision. The focus of their faith was on God, their Savior, who would take care of them one way or another. Abraham also had made the decision to trust the LORD before he led Isaac up that mountain (see Hebrews 11:17-19).

With my anxious mind in control, I took my eyes off Jesus and focused them on my circumstances. But how do I re-focus my faith on the LORD when I’m in the midst of a trial? The lessons that I learned about faith is that, first, it helps to direct my attention onto the Lord ahead of time. Second, when I find myself in the middle of a trial, I, like Peter, need to redirect my gaze away from the waves and back onto Jesus (Matthew 14:28-31).

After all, faith IS NOT strength in my belief or degree of my feelings, nor a strategy to control God and expect Him to do what I want. The heart attitude ahead of the situation has to begin with faith being a deep assurance that God will take care of my situation, no matter what the outcome may be. It must be a total surrender of control to God.

No doubt, faith must have an object, and the object of your faith must be Almighty God through the powerful name of Jesus. As Jesus explained in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Faith isn’t only believing in God, but in having a personal relationship with Him. Confidently knowing God, your heavenly Father, your Lord, your Savior, and your soon-coming King is key to being “anxious for nothing.” Then, and only then, can your head and heart to take hold of the truth that all you need is a little faith in a really great God.