What does it mean to "have faith"

In light of the controversy with our government's budget today, as well as the plight of our beloved Boston Red Sox, today I would like to talk about what it means to "have faith."

Most of you on this blog who really know me, know that I am very unsure about my religious beliefs at this point in my life. A lot of confusion I have felt was perpetuated upon moving to Texas due to the discomfort I felt living in such a conservative, bible-belt town. Further, I took a history class last semester called "Religion as a Forceful Pattern," which made me even more confused.

I do believe there is a higher power. I have always felt a deep spiritual connection with a higher being in my life and have no doubt one exists... whether it is the universe, God etc...

In this confusion, normal matters often get confused and one of those things is "faith."

What does it mean to have faith? A lot of people and in the past me, have felt that faith means believing in God and that is all. Or, they only associate the word with religion. But, now that I feel more enlightened and open minded, I feel like faith has to do with a lot more than just religion.

To me faith means trusting and believing. I have faith that if I continue to put in the work, I will see the results I desire. I may not see them right now... or even soon, but I will see them.  There is no statistical proof, in fact there isn't even any history, because I have never worked long enough to see my desired results... but, without seeing it right now or in the past, I have faith that with my continued hard work I will not be disappointed.

I have faith in my fellow man. Faith that people will generally do what is right. Yes, there are bad people in this world, but there are a lot more good people than bad people. And good people come in so many different forms...



And Mr. Autrey is only one example... there are people around us who do something good and right every day and don't get noticed, or expect to be noticed.



I have faith in our government... yes they are shitty and greedy and look out mostly for themselves, but when push comes to shove they make something happen. I may not LIKE what they make happen,  and I may not like them AT ALL... but they do deliver in the 11th hour (and often times well before.)

I have faith in my team - The Red Sox are struggling right now, but I know they will do their very best to improve. Even if they don't win it big, I have faith that they are doing everything they can to get there and I have faith that it will get better.

That brings up a deeper point... if you lose your faith (in your team, fellow man, yourself) at the first sign of adversity then what do you have?

I have faith in myself. Things don't always go as planned in my life (as most of you know, they often don't actually...) but I have faith that no matter what Im thrown I can handle it because I am strong and I trust myself to do whats right in the face of adversity. I have faith in myself to follow through with my commitment to bettering myself.

Faith is something that I believe we desperately need in our lives - the ability to truly believe and trust and accept. Without that feeling, it is difficult to feel optimistic and look to the future positively. We are what we believe...

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.
D. Elton Trueblood

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
Martin Luther King, Jr.