[If you haven't read the post below, read it first before reading this one.]

Faith is a personal trusting response to the promises of God.

Great Faith perseveres.

We've all had times in our life where we just want to quit. Maybe you are there now. But we must keep trusting God even though our present circumstances say we should throw in the towel.

God tests our faith by creating these difficult circumstances in our life so He can test and strengthen our faith.

James 1: 2-3 says we should, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

God has a purpose for our perseverance. So often when we are in the middle of a trial our focus is the end result and we need to realize the journey to get there is part of God's Plan. We must reject "microwave faith" and know it just takes time for God's complete plan to play out in our lives. We must keep walking in faith - persevere - because of Who God is. We need a "crockpot" kind of faith!

Great faith is humble.

The mother in Matthew 15:21-28 was desperate and was calling out to Jesus Christ to help her daughter. She had the right heart attitude and had certainly come to the right source for healing.

Scripture tells us she kneeled before Jesus as she cried out to Him. Kneeling shows her humility. She was not there to be proud of coming to Jesus for help.

She knew that Jesus was her only answer. The only One who bring health to her daughter.

And so she approached Jesus with a humble heart.

Great Faith is built on God's Character.

Her faith lead her to come and kneel before Jesus and cry out, "Lord, help me!" Her confidence in Jesus is very evident. We too must allow who God is to shape the way we pray. She did not pray, "Can you help me?" or "Will you help me." She just comes right out, kneels before Him and cries, "Lord, help me!"

We can also come before God in humility with confidence because of who God is.

Great Faith is focused on Jesus.

Faith requires focus. We must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus holds the writing tablet and ink pen where your faith story is being written. Using the circumstances of your life, Jesus is perfecting your faith, for the ultimate purpose of bringing glory to His name.

Faith recognizes it has no real alternatives.

Remember Peter who walked on the water towards Jesus? Peter asks Jesus to tell him to walk towards Him on the water. Jesus tells him to come and Peter gets down off the boat and starts walking on the water towards Jesus. But then life's circumstances come into play. The wind is blowing and Peter becomes afraid. And what does he start to do?

He begins to sink. And cry out to the only one who could save him - Jesus.

Realizing we have no other options except to trust Jesus and call on His name, is a great place to be even though faith is risky.

What's the risk? You can't lose with Jesus on your side, right? Right!

The risk in having great faith is things may not turn out our way. But they will turn out in the way God planned since before you were even born. And they will turn out in the way God can best receive glory.

- Elaine