“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.” That powerful quote by Oswald Chambers resonated with me when I read it on Facebook this morning, and I bet it hits home for a lot of you too. We talk about faith, preach about it, even sing about it, but let’s be honest—when life throws us those curveballs, it’s hard to truly live it. We don’t always understand God’s ways, but that’s the point. We’re not meant to. We’re meant to trust Him.

Look, I’m not talking about some abstract, feel-good faith. I’m talking about the deliberate, daily grind of trusting God when your situation looks like it’s going off the rails. It’s easy to praise Him when things are smooth. But what about when you lose a job? Or when your child is making choices that break your heart? Or when the doctor gives you a diagnosis that knocks the wind out of you? This is where faith stops being a pretty word we throw around in church and becomes a choice—sometimes a difficult, gut-wrenching choice.

Let me tell you, deliberate faith is when you choose to trust God even when every fiber of your being wants to scream, “Why?!” It’s when you decide to hold on to His promises when your life feels like it’s falling apart. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Standing at the edge of our understanding, unable to make sense of God’s timing or ways. It’s in those moments that real faith kicks in.

Take Joseph from the Bible, for example. The guy was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. Talk about life not making sense. But Joseph kept his faith in God’s character, and eventually, he saw how all those twists and turns in his life were part of a greater plan. Genesis 50:20 sums it up beautifully: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Sometimes we just have to trust that God is doing something bigger than we can see.

But I’m not just talking about the Bible—this stuff plays out in real life too. You might not get thrown into a literal prison, but maybe you’re in a situation right now where you feel trapped or betrayed. Maybe you don’t understand why God is allowing something painful in your life. Deliberate faith says, “I don’t have to understand; I just have to trust.” Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God’s ways are higher than ours. We can’t see the whole picture, but He can. That’s the essence of faith—trusting that God is good, even when life isn’t.

Think about this: Have you ever been in a season of waiting? It feels like nothing is happening, like God has hit the pause button on your life. But guess what? God does some of His best work in those waiting seasons. Romans 8:28 promises that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” All things. That means the mess you’re in right now is being used for something greater. It’s not wasted.

And then there’s obedience—one of the hardest ways to exercise faith. Sometimes God asks us to do things we just don’t want to do. Maybe He’s calling you to forgive someone who hurt you deeply, or maybe He’s leading you into something new and scary. You don’t have to understand why God is asking you to take that step of obedience. You just have to trust that He knows what He’s doing. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” That’s tough, but that’s faith.

So how do we live this out? How do we make deliberate faith a reality in our lives? Start by making God your priority. Spend time with Him daily. I know, we’re all busy, but if you’re not filling up on His Word and spending time in prayer, how are you going to trust Him when things get hard? You’ve got to know who God is if you’re going to trust His character. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Make that move.

Lastly, surround yourself with people who are walking in faith. You’re not meant to do this alone. Find a community of believers who will pray for you, encourage you, and remind you of God’s goodness when you can’t see it for yourself.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve had my share of moments where trusting God didn’t come easy. I’ve questioned His timing, doubted His plans, and even tried to take control of situations because I thought I knew better. But every time, God has shown me that He is faithful, even when I’m not. And He’ll do the same for you.

Let me leave you with this: faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting the One who does. You may not understand His ways right now, but you can have deliberate confidence in His character. He’s good. He’s faithful. And He’s working all things together for your good. That’s a promise you can stand on.

Side note: Oswald Chambers was a Scottish evangelist and teacher, best known for his book My Utmost for His Highest, which is a daily devotional that has impacted millions of Christians worldwide. Chambers’ writings often focus on deepening one’s personal relationship with God, spiritual growth, and understanding faith in practical terms.

Born in 1874, Oswald Chambers had a significant influence through his preaching and teaching ministry, even though he died at a relatively young age in 1917. Much of his work came to light thanks to his wife, who transcribed and compiled his teachings after his death. His focus on the character of God, trust in His sovereignty, and the importance of spiritual discipline has made his devotional work a cornerstone in Christian literature.