In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments of cognitive dissonance, where what we
believe and what we experience seem to clash. These moments can be challenging, and they
can shake the foundations of our faith. However, it is during these times that our faith has the
opportunity to grow and be activated. Let’s explore the story of Abraham and how he navigated
through cognitive dissonance, putting his faith to work and ultimately becoming known as a
friend of God.
The Story of Abraham
Abraham, a man who was promised to be the father of many nations, found himself in a
situation that seemed impossible. He was 99 years old, with no children, and his wife, Sarah,
was also advanced in age. The cognitive dissonance Abraham experienced was profound – on
one hand, God had promised him descendants as numerous as the stars, but on the other
hand, he and his wife were physically incapable of having children.
The Terrifying Test
In Genesis 22, God tested Abraham by asking him to offer his only son, Isaac, as a burnt
offering. This request may seem cruel and contradictory to the promise God had made to
Abraham. However, it is important to understand the cultural context of the time. Child sacrifice
was a common practice among the pagan gods, but Abraham knew that his God was different.
Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance
Abraham’s faith was put to the ultimate test. He faced a moment of extreme cognitive
dissonance – the conflict between what he believed about God and the seemingly contradictory
command he received. It is in these moments that many believers falter and give up. They
cannot reconcile the goodness of God with the difficult circumstances they face. But Abraham
did not give in to cognitive dissonance. He chose to trust God, even when he didn’t understand.
Real Faith in the Midst of Trials
When faced with cognitive dissonance, it is essential to remember that real faith is not passive
but active. It is a faith that is willing to fight. Abraham’s faith put up a fight, and he refused to
give up. He didn’t deny the challenges or the confusion he felt, but he chose to press through
and put the results in God’s hands.
The Importance of Questions and Fears
It is okay to have questions, fears, and even doubts when facing cognitive dissonance. In fact,
these emotions can be a catalyst for growth and a deeper understanding of God. However, it is
crucial not to let these questions and fears lead to giving up on faith. Abraham’s example
teaches us that we can bring our questions and fears to God while still trusting in His ability to
work things out.
Completing Your Faith
Trials and tests are not meant to break our faith but to complete it. They provide an opportunity
for our faith to grow and mature. Abraham’s faith was completed through the test he faced.
Rather than walking away, he chose to trust in God’s ability to provide a solution. We, too, can
allow trials to complete our faith by not giving up but continuing to trust in God’s faithfulness.
The Power of Active Faith
Faith without action is dead. It is not enough to simply believe – our faith must be put into action.
Abraham understood this principle and demonstrated it through his obedience to God’s
command. He didn’t just have faith in his mind; he put his faith to work. When life gets hard, our
faith should not waver but grow stronger, leading us to pray, worship, and seek God even more.
Consider God’s Ability
When faced with impossible situations, like Abraham, it is essential to consider God’s ability.
Even when we can’t see a way forward or understand what God is doing, we can trust that He
has a different perspective and can work out the equation better than we could ever imagine.
Abraham considered God’s ability and trusted that God would provide a solution.
Becoming a Friend of God
Abraham’s unwavering faith and obedience earned him the title of a friend of God. He stuck with
God through trials and challenges, demonstrating a deep and genuine relationship. God is not
looking for mere connections like we have on social media; He desires real friendships with His
children. He wants us to stick it out with Him, even when life gets tough, and our faith is tested.
Put Your Faith to Work
To activate our faith, we must put it to work. Ideas and beliefs alone are not enough; they must
be accompanied by action. Frederick Douglass once said, “I prayed for freedom for 20 years,
but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” Similarly, our faith must be accompanied by
works. When God prompts us to action, we must be willing to step out in faith, knowing that He
is working alongside us.
The Power Within You
As we put our faith into action, we tap into the power of God that resides within us. Ephesians
3:20 reminds us that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or
think, according to the power that works in us. When we align our faith with action, God’s power
is unleashed, and we begin to see His miraculous work in and through us.
Conclusion
Cognitive dissonance can be a challenging and confusing experience in our faith journey.
However, as we look to the example of Abraham, we see the importance of putting our faith to
work and not giving in to doubt or fear. Real faith is active, willing to fight, and trust in God’s
ability. Through trials, our faith is completed, and we draw closer to God, becoming His friends.
So, put your faith to work, activate it through action, and experience the power of God working
in and through you.
