In order to navigate the chaos and cruise through the storms in peace, we must exercise our faith. The Bible is our nourishment. When tempted by Satan to gratify himself and abandon his mission to save mankind, Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Prayer is our lifeline. Jesus taught us to pray, giving us the Lord’s Prayer as our model, and providing the example of one who constantly sought guidance and strength in prayer. Paul told us to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

The many practices of faith train our spiritual muscle the way physical workouts train physical muscle. Worship, giving, hospitality, charitable service, and other practices help us to mature. Among them, four principles particularly strengthen us to live with confidence and grace in a culture that grows more hostile by the day:

• Hope only in God
• Look at things God’s way
• Build relationships
• Refuse to be a victim

I pray that by sharing what I learn about living for Jesus in a culture that is profoundly opposed to Jesus and everything he taught, I will help other Christians to feel more confident in their faith and more confident in the future.