August 1 – Be a hero

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.   (Hebrews 11:1   HCSB)

What is reality?  For some reality is that they were born on the wrong side of the tracks and because of that, certain things will always be out of reach for them.  For Alan, reality was that there was no way out of his addiction, and so the best he could hope for was an early death.  For Jimena, reality was that depression had robbed her of her career and was now destroying her marriage, and that all three of her doctors offered no real hope for change.  For Anthony, reality was that crack was more important to him than his wife, business, house and life, and that he would die on the streets of Dallas.

Many times our idea of reality is a complete delusion — whatever the devil tells us it is.  Because most of what is real is invisible to us as flesh and blood human beings, it’s common to be living in a dream world where we are brainwashed and manipulated into accepting a life that others have chosen for us, instead of the life that God intends.

I’ve often had people tell me, “I’m just being realistic,” in the middle of a counseling session where I was speaking to them about what is possible through faith, and they were trying to hold on to their old mindset of doubt and fear.  We can’t see God, but He is more real that the chair we’re sitting in.  Reality is not always what we see or hear, or even what we’ve experienced in the past, what we see on TV, or what other people tell us is going to happen.  Today’s promise speaks about FAITH being the reality of what we hope will happen.  In other worlds, faith in God’s promises creates a new reality no matter how bad our lives used to be.  Faith in God’s promises is proof that what we cannot see right now is already ours through God’s promises.  It’s not positive or wishful thinking, it’s one of the most powerful forces in this world.

Alan was healed close to ten years ago and now has a great life and marriage.  Jimena has been healed since March this year and is planning for the future.  Anthony has been off the streets of Dallas and clean since the beginning of this year, is spiritually free, and has recently been reunited with his wife.  All three had a concept of reality that was radically changed through faith, reason, prayer, and doing warfare against evil spirits.  They are walking miracles to their families and friends, all because someone helped them understand that reality is what they make it by their faith in God.

For years I labeled today’s verse as a definition of faith, but it’s not — it’s an explanation of what faith does.  It is the reality, the essence, the substance of what we hope for; it is the proof, the evidence, the conviction of what we do not yet see.  If you are not using radical faith in God every day of your life, I feel sorry for you.  Your life must be so unstable and disappointing.  But if you live by faith, my congratulations!  You are a true hero and are making a difference in this world.

There are exactly five months left in this year.  If you change your concept of reality today and keep it up for the rest of the year, you will end this year a radically different person.