Walk By Faith Not By Sight

Walk By Faith Not By Sight

What does it mean to “walk by faith not by sight?”

In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul described the trials and afflictions he’d faced while advancing the Gospel. 

“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” (2 Cor. 11:24-27). 

Earlier in his writing, Paul refers to these as “light and momentary troubles.” (2 Cor. 4:17). Yes, that’s how Paul described them; as “light and momentary troubles.” 

Paul clearly saw things from a different perspective than most of us. He was truly “walking by faith not by sight.”

When I hear the word “perspective,” I am reminded of the following letter a daughter sent to her parents soon after she had begun her first year at college.

Dear Dad and Mom,

It has now been three months since I left for college. I’m sorry I’ve not written before, but I wasn’t sure how to break the news to you. I quit school two weeks ago and moved into a one-room apartment with a cute guy named Rick. He plays guitar in a rock band and is going to start looking for a job soon so he can support our family. I say “family” because I’m pregnant and hope we will be married by the time you are reading this letter.  

Now that I’ve brought you up-to-date let me say: Nothing I’ve written so far is true. I haven’t quit school. I don’t know anyone named Rick, I am not pregnant, and I am not getting married. However, I did get a “D” in History and an “F” in Science, and I wanted you to see those grades in the proper perspective.

Your loving daughter

You see, it really is a matter of perspective. Think of it this way. If you lived 60 years and suffered every day of those 60 years, that would be pure misery. However, if you lived for 160 years and suffered for 60 years, that is not as bad. If, on the other hand, you lived 1,000 years and suffered for 60 years, things are looking much better. But what if you lived 1 million years, or better, for all eternity, and suffered for 60 years? What you suffered could then be described as “light and momentary troubles.” Perspective changes everything.

It is so easy to be overwhelmed by what we see with our natural eyes. But if we ask the Holy Spirit to give us God’s perspective, we can begin to see the world differently.

By learning to walk by faith and not by sight, even when our situations or circumstances don’t change, we can find God’s peace.

If you would like to learn more about spiritual gifts or discover what spiritual gifts you have, take our free spiritual gift test.