Good Enough Faith

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

If you have teenagers around the house, you’ll understand why I cringe when I assign chores then, when I check, my sons tell me, “It’s good enough, Mom”. What they’re really saying is, “I’ll do the bare minimum but not beyond that.”

            I’ve heard people say the same about their faith in God. “As long as I have faith, that’s good enough to get me into heaven.” While it is correct that our faith and God’s grace are enough for our salvation, that good enough faith is often a weak faith. When the storms of life blow and the waves threaten to submerge us, we need more than good enough faith—we need a strong, deep-rooted faith that will help us stand firm and endure the storm.

Let me give an example: If you found yourself in the middle of the sea during a tempest, would you rather be on a ship with a strong anchor or on a dingy with a ‘good enough’ anchor? What about if you’re in the midst of a tornado? Would you rather be in a house with a solid foundation or in a ‘good enough’ shack?

            That deep-rooted kind of faith is born and nurtured through close fellowship with our heavenly Father. It grows and gains strength as we devote time and effort to cultivating that relationship. When fear assails, we can lean upon God’s promise, “Do not be afraid for I am with you.” When anxious thoughts tie up our minds like a pretzel, we recall God’s admonition “Do not worry about these things for the Father knows you have need of them.”

            Let me get personal with you: have you settled for good enough or are you striving to strengthen your faith? It may not matter so much right now, but it will when the gale hits.

Thought: “Hope is called the anchor of the soul because it gives stability to the Christian life. But hope is not simply a ‘wish’; rather, it is that which latches on to the certainty of the promises of the future that God has made.” – R. C. Sproul

For further reading:

• Luke 6:46-49
• Luke 17:5
• Romans 10:17
• James 1:5