Faith | Jerry Shkavritko

Core Question

Do I believe I can become the person capable of achieving this?

What This Stage Teaches

Faith is trust in what is not yet visible, not certainty about outcomes (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith without action is dead (James 2:17)
Faith means trusting God with the outcome, not demanding your preferred result (Matthew 26:39)
Faith and self-confidence are related but different
Self-confidence is earned through kept commitments, not manufactured through affirmations
Faith doesn't eliminate the need for planning or competence
Faith grows through testing (Romans 5:3-4)
Faith can remain strong even when your strategy has to change

Skill to Develop

Constructive self-programming and evidence-based confidence: building a track record of kept commitments, and acting faithfully without needing a guaranteed outcome.

The Biblical Framework

TRUST BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN SEE

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the sign that the things not seen are true.”
Hebrews 11:1
TURN BELIEF INTO ACTION

“Even so faith without works is dead.”
James 2:17
TRUST GOD WITH THE OUTCOME

“For this cause make yourselves low under the strong hand of God, so that when the time comes you may be lifted up, putting all your troubles on him, for he takes care of you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
USE FAITH TO CONFRONT FEAR

“In the time of my fear, I will have faith in you.”
Psalm 56:3
PLAN AND PREPARE

“A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9

“The purposes of the man of industry have their outcome only in wealth; but one who is over-quick in acting will only come to be in need.”
Proverbs 21:5
BUILD SELF-TRUST
Keep commitments to yourself.
DEVELOP COMPETENCE

“The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.”
Proverbs 18:15
REMAIN HUMBLE AND ADAPTABLE

“Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support. In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.”
Proverbs 3:5-6

Hill vs. Scripture

Hill

Have faith that you can achieve your definite purpose.

Scripture

Trust God, act faithfully, develop your capabilities, and surrender the outcome you cannot control. If your faith depends on getting the outcome you wanted, you don't have faith, you have a transaction.

The Hard Questions

Do I actually have faith, or do I simply want certainty?
Where am I demanding a guaranteed outcome before I'm willing to act?
Where am I using "faith" as an excuse not to prepare?
What evidence do I actually have that I can handle the challenge ahead?
What capability am I currently missing that I need to learn rather than merely believe?
Can I remain committed to the purpose while abandoning a failing strategy?
If the result doesn't happen the way I want, can I still remain faithful?

Exercise

The Personal Evidence Ledger

Write four short lists: commitments you've kept, difficult things you've survived, problems you've solved, and skills you've developed. Then ask: what does this evidence actually tell me about my capabilities? Not affirmations, evidence.

FAITH: Develop confidence grounded in evidence and trust in God, act despite uncertainty, and remain faithful to what is right even when reality doesn't conform to your preferred plan.

Stories for This Stage

From Scripture

God tells Noah to build a massive boat because a flood is coming, in a world that had never seen rain. Noah spends decades building it anyway, presumably in full view of neighbors who'd never seen a drop fall from the sky. There's no evidence the flood is imminent right up until it happens. Noah's faith isn't blind optimism, it's obedience sustained over a very long time with nothing external to confirm it was worth it. The rain doesn't show up to reward year one, or year ten. It shows up at the very end, after the ark is already finished. Genesis 6:13-22.

My Story

A decision you made and acted on before you had any guarantee it would work out, and what you leaned on to take the step anyway.