Walk By Faith: Not By Sight

We sit in the hard space where we’ve prayed and believed but nothing looks different, and we learn why that tension is often where faith is formed. I share a personal story of God removing my safety net, then walk through what Scripture says about trust, surrender, obedience, and provision. 

• faith as confidence beyond what is visible and logical 
• my testimony of losing Airbnb properties and choosing surrender 
• God’s reminder that He is the source, not business or effort 
• obedience as the proof of living faith and the doorway to provision 
• faith as trust with questions still present 
• surrendering control and timelines through Proverbs 3:5-6 
• walking by faith and not by sight through 2 Corinthians 5:7 
• faith declaration, journal prompts, and a closing prayer 

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Connect with us at www.awarenessunlocked.com and submit your testimony if you feel led. Join the conversation, your voice matters and together we grow stronger.

Transcript

The Tension Between Sight And Faith

Speaker 0:00

What do you do when you've prayed? But nothing changes when you've believed. But the situation still looks the same. When everything in front of you says, this isn't going to work. But something deep inside of you is still telling you to trust God. That tension right there, that space between what you see and what you believe, that is where faith lives. In today's episode, we're going to talk about what faith really is. Not just as a word we hear in church, but as a way of living, trusting, and walking with God even when nothing around you makes sense.

Welcome To Awareness Unlocked

Speaker 1:03

Welcome to Awareness Unlocked. I'm Stacy -Ann Carter. This is a space dedicated to awakening souls through spiritual awareness, inspiring transformation, and guiding us to discover our true identity in Christ. Here, we explore real stories, biblical truths, and spiritual reflections that remind us of one powerful truth. God is love. My prayer is that every episode draws you closer to God, fills you with hope, and awakens you to the life He created you to live. Today's

What Faith Means Biblically

Speaker 1:51

episode is called Faith: Trust ing God when you can't see. Something that is foundational to your walk with God. Not just something we say we have, but real, active, living faith. The kind that you need when life doesn't make sense. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11 verse 1, "now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". That means faith goes beyond what is visible. It goes beyond logic. It goes beyond feelings. In today's episode, we're going to break this down together. We'll talk about what faith really is, why it's so important in your relationship with God, and how you can begin to walk in faith, even when you feel uncertain.

Losing Control And Choosing Obedience

Speaker 2:59

First, I want to share something with you. In just this past year, after God saved my life, my faith went from being nonchalant - to intentional, profound, and unshakable. I use those words very intentionally because that is the kind of work the Holy Spirit has done in me in such a short period of time. I've had many faith experiences with God since then. But this one that I'm about to share, is one the Holy Spirit placed on my heart to share with you. There was a season after everything in my life began to shift. God started stripping away parts of my past. And at the time, I didn't fully understand what He was doing. But I knew one thing for sure. I was surrendered. And I wanted transformation, even though I didn't know what that would look like. During that season, I had my Airbnb business with multiple properties. And that was my source of income for me and my two children. But after everything I had gone through earlier that year, especially my spiritual battle - that almost took my life, I wasn't fully recovered. I was trying to piece my life back together, but I was attempting to do so in my own strength. So God intervened, but not in the way I expected. During that time, the Lord had already given me an assignment, but fear kept me from fully stepping into obedience. I told God, I didn't have time because of my business, because of my responsibilities, but in reality, those were a cover for my excuses. And then suddenly, everything changed. God stripped two of my properties. Within days, they were gone. Those were the very properties I had been holding on to, even though they were a burden. Then He asked me to take the third property off the market and move into it. He didn't explain why, he just instructed me. Now I was left with one property, and at that time it had no book ing. I remember driving and saying, I see what you did there, God. And I laughed. because I knew it was Him. And surprisingly, I didn't feel fear. I felt his peace. But naturally, a question came to my mind, now what? I had bills, I had children to provide for, and in my eyes, my income was gone. So I brought that to God - as my season in isolation with him taught me to bring everything to Him. And I remember His response so clearly. His words, "your business is not your source. I am your source". And then He said, "now you have no excuse to begin the assignment I gave you". In that moment, I realized God had cleared my entire schedule. No more running back and forth, no more distractions, just space for obedience. And even though I didn't know how my bills would be paid, I chose to believe Him. I chose faith. So I stepped into obedience. I began working on the assignment He gave me like never before. Painful because it was personal, but with focus, with discipline, and with trust. And as the days went on, my bills were coming due. But something was different. I didn't worry. I didn't stress. I trusted His word. Because scripture says in Numbers 23 verse 19, "God is not human that He should lie. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" And I knew God cannot lie. So the morning my bills were due, I spoke to Him like I always do. I said, Lord, I know you already know this. My bills are due, and I know you are my source, because that is what you told me. So I'm just waiting for you to reveal it to me. Later that day, I picked up my daughter from school. I took her to buy clothing with the last bit of money I had because I thought, why hold on to it? God already told me He's my source. But before I even got out of the car, I received a notification, a book ing. At first I thought it was something small, but when I opened it, it was over three months worth of provision. Enough for my bills, food, clothing, even giving. Thousands. I sat there in my car, overwhelmed with joy. Tears filled my eyes. And I looked up and said, Thank you, Father, because He did exactly what He said He would do. My obedience opened the door for His provision. And He continues to show me over and over again that He is my source, not my business, not my effort, not my striving. Him. Those same guests to this day are still occupying my property. Every month, when I think their stay is coming to an end, as the booking date suggests, I bring it to God and ask, What's next, Lord? And every single time, the very day I ask is the same day they extend their stay without fail. I cannot make this up. And in those moments, I simply look up and say, Thank you, Abba Father. That's what faith looks like in my life. Not seeing the outcome, but trusting that God is faithful. Just like it says in Habakkuk 2 verse 3, "though it lingers, wait for it. It will certainly come and will not delay". God is my Jehovah Jireh, "My Provider". Psalm 23 verse 1 states, "the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want". A prayer that I pray every morning and every night. I trust Him with my whole heart, my whole soul, and my whole mind. He is worthy to be praised. He is worthy for me to be faithful.

Faith Defined Through Scripture And Practice

Speaker 11:34

Now let's talk about what faith actually is in several different ways. Not just what we say it is, but what it looks like in real life. First of all, the Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11, verse 1, NIV version. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. That means faith is not based on what is visible. It is not based on emotion, and it is not based on current evidence. Faith is confidence in God, even when nothing around you confirms it. And if we go further, scripture tells us something even deeper. In Hebrews 11 verse 6, my favorite verse since childhood, it says, "without faith, it is impossible to please God". That means faith is not optional in the life of a believer. It is essential. Because you cannot walk with God without trusting Him. Secondly, faith is not the absence of questions. Many people think faith means you never struggle or never question, but that is not true. Faith is not the absence of questions. It is trust in God while you still have them. There will be moments where you don't understand the process, you don't see the outcome, you don't know how it will work. But faith says, even here, I trust God. Thirdly, faith requires surrender. One of the hardest parts of faith is surrender. Because surrender means letting go of control, letting go of your timeline, letting go of your own understanding. But Proverbs reminds us, in Proverbs 3 verse 5 to 6, "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths". Notice it doesn't say some of your heart, it says all. That means faith is not partial, it is total trust. Fourthly, faith is proven in obedience. Here is something very important. Faith is not just something you feel, it is something you do. If you say you trust God, but never obey Him, then faith has no expression. Real faith moves, it responds, it acts even when it doesn't fully understand. This is why James says, "Faith without works is dead". In James 2 verse 17. And this is exactly what we saw in my testimony. God spoke, I obeyed even without clarity, and provision followed. That is not coincidence. There is no coincidence with God. He is very strategic. That is faith in action. Fifth, is the tension of faith. Seeing versus trusting. Every believer will face this tension. "What I see versus what God said". And this is where many people struggle. Because what you see often feels more real than what God said. But faith teaches us something different. God's word is more real than what I see. This is why Scripture reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5, verse 7, "for we walk by faith, not by sight". Not by emotions, not by circumstances, not by temporary situations, but by trust in God. Next we have, faith grows in process, not comfort. Faith is not developed in comfort. It is developed in process. It grows when you obey without fully understanding, when you trust without visible evidence, when you wait without immediate answer. And the truth is, God often strengthens your faith by stretching your dependency on Him, not to harm you, but to mature you. And lastly, faith always leads to provision and purpose. One thing I want you to understand deeply. When God removes what you were depending on, He is not taking from you to leave you empty. He is simply redirecting you to depend on Him. Because God never removes without purpose. He replaces dependency on systems - with dependency on Him. And when faith is fully activated, it always leads to alignment, provision, clarity in time, and deeper relationship with God. So to close out this teaching segment. Faith is not just believing God exists. Faith is trusting Him when you don't see the outcome. You don't understand the process, and you don't have control. Because real faith says, even if I don't see it, I still trust you. And that is the kind of faith that transforms a life. Now

Faith Declaration And Reflection Prompts

Speaker 18:40

I was led to write a faith declaration for you. Say this with me. I declare that I walk by faith and not by sight. Even when I do not see the way, I trust the one who leads me. God is my source, my provider, and my foundation. My faith is alive, growing, and unshakable. What God has spoken over my life will come to pass in His perfect timing. I will not be moved by fear, doubt, or what I see, only by the truth of God's word. I choose to trust God fully, today and always. Amen. Take this with you throughout this week as a reminder of God's faithfulness. Now, here are some journal prompts to meditate on and take to the Lord in your quiet time with Him. Where in my life am I currently struggling to trust God fully? What would it look like for me to surrender that area completely to Him, even if I don't have all the answers yet? What is one step of obedience I can take this week that reflects faith over fear? Reflect on those, then come back and share if you feel led. Now

Prayer For Trust And Surrender

Speaker 20:17

let's quiet our hearts and minds as we take a moment in prayer. Dear Lord, I come before you today with a heart that desires to trust you more deeply. Your word says in Hebrews 11, verse 1, "that faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see". Lord, help us to live from that place of confidence, even when we cannot see the full picture. Strengthen our hearts to believe you beyond what our eyes can see. Your word also reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5, verse 7, that I am called to walk by faith, not by sight. So teach us, Lord, to trust your voice above all circumstances and your promises above our failings. When doubt tries to rise, anchor me in your truth. When fear tries to speak louder, remind me of your faithfulness. Help us to surrender control and fully trust your perfect timing, as your word says in Proverbs 3, verse 5 to 6, to trust you with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding. Lord, grow my faith in the waiting. Strengthen my obedience in uncertainty, and teach me to see beyond what is visible into what you are doing behind the scenes. I choose today to trust you, even when I don't understand, I choose to believe you even when I cannot see, because you are faithful and you cannot fail. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Next Steps And Closing Encouragement

Speaker 22:15

Before we close, as we continue this journey together, the next episode will take us deeper into something every believer encounters at some point in their walk with God. "Repentance: the doorway back to God". What happens when we fall short, when we miss the mark, when we feel distant from God. In the next episode, we're going to talk about repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. A nd how God doesn't just call you back, but He welcomes you back with open arms. Because no matter how far you feel you've gone, God's grace is always greater than your past. Thank you for spending this time with me on Awareness Unlocked. As we wrap up today's episode, I want to remind you, if this message touched your heart, please, share it with someone who needs this message of hope. Take a moment to leave a comment or review. Your feedback not only encourages me, but also helps others discover Awareness Unlocked and join our growing community. To continue this journey of spiritual awakening and transformation, subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss the next episode. Until next time, stay aware, stay rooted in truth, and remember, God's love is always calling you into something greater. I'm your host, Stacy-Ann Carter.