Personal Faith: When Someone Else's Faith Can't Help You.

“By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” — Hebrews 11:11

Have you ever been part of a prayer group where everyone seems to be believing so strongly, yet deep inside you wonder if you personally have the faith for what is being prayed for? You stand there, agree outwardly, but inwardly you feel weak, uncertain, or even disconnected. And yet somehow, God still answers. You walk away amazed, almost surprised, that it worked.

Scripture speaks directly to this experience. “What if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid.” (Romans 3:3–4). God’s faithfulness does not collapse because of our weakness. He is faithful even when we struggle. And many of us can testify that there were moments when we “got away with it”, God moved, even when our own faith felt small.

But there are moments, critical moments, when there is no substitute for personal faith. Sarah’s story is one of them.

The Bible does not say, “By faith Abraham’s faith carried Sarah.” It says, “By faith Sarah herself…” She received strength because she judged Him faithful. Abraham had great faith, yes, but Isaac could not be conceived without Sarah believing for herself. Her body responded to her faith. Her womb responded to her conviction. Her miracle required her participation.

This is where the message becomes personal.

I know your pastor has faith. I know your parents pray. I know your prayer partners believe. And thank God for them. But this message is about you. You must also believe.

The woman with the issue of blood is another powerful reminder. The Bible says that when she had heard about Jesus, she came through the crowd and touched His garment. It does not tell us exactly what she heard, but whatever it was, it stirred something deep within her. It awakened her personal faith. She did not wait for someone to lay hands on her. She acted. And when she touched Him, power flowed.

Others may hear the same testimonies you hear. Others may listen to the same sermons. But not everyone responds the same way. What you do with what you hear determines what you experience.

Maybe you have heard testimonies of others succeeding in business, stepping into ministry, receiving healing, or walking in freedom. Let those stories challenge you, not to admire from a distance, but to develop your own faith and take your own step.

Even the disciples needed this lesson. Thomas had walked with Jesus, heard the teachings, and seen the miracles, yet when the resurrection happened, he struggled to believe. And Jesus did not rebuke him from afar. He returned. He stood before Thomas and said, in essence, “You must believe for yourself.” He showed him the scars. He invited him to touch the wounds. Because personal faith mattered.

In this walk with God, He is not looking for borrowed conviction. He wants your faith. He wants your trust. He wants your confidence in His love and His willingness to work in your life.

And hear this clearly: God is ready. This year, God is ready to do miracles in your life. He has not withdrawn His power. He has not changed His promises. The question is not whether God is faithful, the question is whether you will judge Him faithful.

Like Sarah, believe. Like the woman with the issue of blood, act. Like Thomas, move from doubt to conviction. This is your moment.  Believe Him.

At Thrive Missions, we are committed to helping you fulfill your God given purpose for your life through teaching God's Word and Prayer. You need prayer or encouragement, contact us at office@thrive-missions.org and one of our lovely ministers will get back to you.