Fruitful Living
25 ways to build your faith in God and trust him in everything (Part 2)
And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him – Hebrews 11:6 NIV
PREFACE
Today we bring you the final part of 25 Ways To Build Your Faith In GOD And Trust Him In Everything.
INTRODUCTION
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Since pleasing God is essential to an abundant life, building our faith is a natural and essential step. We are living in a world where the temptation to doubt God is constant. His children need more than ever to learn how to trust in His goodness and have strong faith.
Last week we shared 12 practical ways to move toward a stronger faith and a heart that trusts God’s promises. Please enjoy the rest.
- TAKE YOUR THOUGHTS CAPTIVE.
Many Christians struggle with doubt, and God’s Word teaches us that we are not alone. John the Baptist doubted Christ’s identity, and even Thomas did not believe it was Christ when he saw Him after His resurrection.
God is always calling His children out to deeper waters and into unknown areas. Why? To help us learn to trust Him. So, how do we deal with faith-crushing doubt? Let us pray and confess it to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. Let us fight against our doubts with the Word of God. Let us look up Bible verses that will help us make our every thought captive and obedient to Christ. Let us ask the Lord to grant us the faith to overcome our doubts, and it will surprise us how much our trust will grow.
- ALIGN YOUR LIFE UNDER HIS WILL
Sin erodes our faith in God and causes us to feel we have lost God’s love. When we do not feel loved or are ashamed, we avoid God’s presence, just like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Our feelings drive us away from faith in God and His Word. A great way to build our faith is for us to repent and confess our sins. Acknowledging God’s holiness and aligning our plans under His sovereignty will open our life up to new and exciting ways to grow our faith. Let us ask God to show us if we have any sin that needs forgiving. As we make His will the desire of our heart, we give glory to God and start our journey to a stronger faith.
- FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
Often, we see people who seem to radiate strength and faith in God. If we are honest, we wish we had that kind of faith. How did they get to their spiritual condition? They stepped out of the boat, tested the waters, and trusted that God would hold them up or teach them to swim. Serving others is a perfect way to step out in faith and see how God works. The first thing to do is for us to find something we enjoy doing and serve in that area. Our church should have many opportunities to serve. If they do not have a ministry for us, then let us start one! God can use our joy in serving as a catalyst for growth in our life and impact the eternal life of others.
- MAKE GOD YOUR SECURITY
What do we depend on for our security and wellbeing? Is it a person other than Jesus? Is it in our job, talent, intelligence, or status? When we base our faith on things or people, then in time, our security crumbles. Jobs and fortunes are lost, and people die or leave us. There is always someone more intelligent, and our status is only a social media post away from being destroyed. It only takes one catastrophe to awaken us to the realisation that we have been building our lives on sand not on the Lord Jesus, our Rock. Let us make a list of the important things in our lives, then let us pray and give them into the Lord’s faithful hands. Let us ask the Father to bless us with the faith we need to trust Him completely. Then, we can stand firm no matter what bad things happen.
- PRACTISE CONTENTMENT
It is hard to be content if things do not go the way we want or when in the middle of a long trial. Discontentment, while natural, shows a lack of trust in God. The children of God must fight against discontentment. We should decide in advance to stand firm in our faith and trust in the goodness of God, no matter what. Whatever we are facing, let us focus on what He is accomplishing through our disappointment or suffering and on the promises of God. Let us remember to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, and He will help us grow and trust even in our suffering.
- UTILISE YOUR SHIELD OF FAITH
A great enemy of our faith is spiritual warfare. Even though Apostle Paul wrote the book of Ephesians in AD60, God’s Word is just as alive, active, and relevant today as it was then. Satan’s desire is for the children of God to doubt and lose faith. Satan attacks our faith because it is our shield and protects us from his fiery darts as we read in Ephesians 6:16. Before we find our faith wavering, let us read Ephesians 6 : 10-18 and make the Armour of God a part of our daily life. We find the secret to having enough faith in verse 10, “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” We do nothing in our strength, but our faith in God activates His power. Let us pray and confess our need for His power and protection. Let us ask Him to strengthen our faith so that we can stand against anything the enemy sends our way.
- REMOVE PRIDEFUL THINKING
Pride causes significant damage to our faith by challenging our trust in God. Pride teaches us we have all the answers, so we believe the lie and look to our own understanding more than God’s truth. Psalm 139:23-24 provides a template for testing our lives for any offensive ways. Let us pray and ask the Father to reveal any areas of our life dominated by pride and let us ask for His forgiveness. Let us list what He reveals in a notebook, then let us find Bible verses to help us overcome these prideful areas. As we pray and make a conscious effort to eradicate pride from our life, we will develop a deeper trust in God’s promises. A deeper trust leads to a closer relationship and a stronger faith in His love for us.
- BUILD TRUST THROUGH PRAYER
Prayer is a conversation with the Living God, yet His children often neglect it. When we pray, we get a sense of the heartbeat of God for the lost, our family, and our spiritual condition. When we do not have the words to pray, we can ask the Holy Spirit to pray for us. God has provided all we need to grow through prayer. So, let us start today and spend some time in the presence of the Lord. It may seem awkward at first, but when we pray and feel His presence, our faith will become firmly established. Christians who make prayer a part of their daily life will continue to grow in faith and trust as they see God move.
- BE A WITNESS OF HIS FAITHFULNESS
Talking to others about Christ is scary for many people, mainly because we think we do not have all the answers or we aren’t sure what words to use. Let us pray and surrender ourselves to be instruments for telling others about His love. Let us confess our fears and ask the Lord to help us share the Good News of Jesus Christ. God will open doors of opportunity for us to witness. We will find that God is faithful to give us words to speak, and the power of the Holy Spirit will touch the hearts of the people through us. Our measure of faith will increase as we walk under the influence of His love and power.
- CALL ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
We have all been in a situation where we know we need to step out in faith, but we shrink back. How do we overcome those moments when fear rules over our faith? A long time ago, our Heavenly Father provided all we need through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus called Him our Helper in John 14:26, so the next time we find ourselves in a situation where we want to shrink back, let us stop, and pray. Let us ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to strengthen our faith to step out and do what God is calling us to do. When we complete the assignment He has given us, our faith in Him will soar as He uses us to do great things.
- BE A GOOD STEWARD OF FAITH
Often, Christians long to have more faith even though they are not faithful with what they already have. One of the best ways to grow our faith is to be obedient to what we already know we should do but are not. James 1:22 tells us to be doers of the Word of God. The first step toward a strong faith is to compile a list of what we already know we should be doing. For example, prayer and reading God’s Word should be a part of our daily lives. If they are not, our next step would be to make time for each of these things. Let us be faithful to what we have, and we will grow with each step of obedience we take!
- REMOVE OBSTACLES TO PEACE
The lack of peace is an obstacle to building faith and trust in God. There are many times we are not sure what to do, and the lack of peace freezes our progress. Other times, we are not sure we know the will of God, and the lack of peace keeps us from doing anything. In Isaiah 26:3, God promises to “keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Here is the secret to our peace: let us trust in God. Let us pray for God’s guidance and trust that the Spirit of God will not allow us to take one step outside of His will for our life. If we take Him at His Word and trust what He says is true, His perfect peace will dominate our mind resulting in the growth we desire.
- WALK CLOSELY WITH CHRIST JESUS
In Colossians 2:6-7, God instructs us to “walk in Christ Jesus the Lord.” Walking close to Him will give our faith the roots it needs to flourish. Here are some practical ways for us to walk closely with the Lord Jesus. First, let us read about Him in God’s Word. Learning more about what He has done and said will naturally lead us to the next step. Worship Him, praising Him for His sacrifice and love. Secondly, let us follow His lead in all areas of our life, including the service of others. As we walk with Him, we will be strengthened in our faith.
End Piece
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. However, the Bible tells us of many people who did please Him. The significance is that it is possible, so let us pray and seek the faith needed.
Prayer!
O Lord, we ask this day for Your help and provision to live faithful and pleasing lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you have not yet confessed Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, this is an opportunity to do so. And when you do, just surrender totally to Him with your eternal future, for He will never leave nor forsake you – Hebrews 13:5
STAY BLESSED!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0243588467 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministries.org
By Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
Fruitful Living
Eid-ul-Adha: A living legacy of faith, sacrifice, and devotion
We begin in the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and seek refuge in Him from the evils of our souls and the wrongs of our actions.
May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his noble companions, and all those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.
Understanding the essence
of Eid-ul-Adha
Eid-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two major Islamic celebrations observed by Muslims across the world.
It commemorates the unwavering submission of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) to Allah’s command when he was prepared to sacrifice his beloved son Isma’il (Ishmael, peace be upon him). Allah, in His infinite mercy, intervened and replaced the son with a ram, thus honouring Ibrahim’s sincerity and faith.
This moment of sacrifice is recorded in the Qur’an: “Then when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called out: ‘O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the vision.’ Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.” (Surah As-Saffat, 37:103–105)
This act of obedience is not merely a historical account. It is a living symbol that forms the essence of Eid-ul-Adha.
Ibrahim (A.S): The Architect
of Submission
Before the moment of sacrifice, Prophet Ibrahim and his family played critical roles in establishing Islam’s foundational pillars:
1. The building of the Ka‘bah
Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma’il were chosen to construct the Ka‘bah, the sacred House of Allah in Makkah. The Qur’an records this noble moment:
“And [mention] when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Isma’il, [saying], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.’”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:127)
This structure remains the spiritual centre of Muslim worship, facing which over a billion Muslims direct their daily prayers.
2. The struggle of Hajar (Hajara) between Safa and Marwa
The mother of Isma’il, Hajar (Hajara), exemplifies a profound lesson of patience and faith. Left in the barren valley of Makkah with her infant, she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa, desperately searching for water. Her perseverance was rewarded when the well of Zamzam sprang forth at the feet of her baby.
Her sincere struggle is now ritualised in Hajj as the Sa‘i between Safa and Marwa—a reminder of the role of women, the power of du‘a, and the value of trust in Allah’s provision.
Sacrifice at Mina and the
Rites of Jamarat
During Hajj, pilgrims reenact Ibrahim’s confrontation with Shaytan at Mina, where he rejected the devil’s temptation and cast stones at him. This act is now observed in Hajj as the ritual of stoning the Jamarat, symbolising the rejection of evil, temptation, and disobedience.
It is a vivid spiritual lesson: the path to Allah is one of resistance to distraction and sin, and one must be prepared to fight these forces with unwavering faith.
The essence of Arafat in Hajj
The Prophet Muhammad said:“Hajj is Arafah.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 889)
Standing on the plain of Arafat, in deep humility and supplication, is the heart of Hajj. It represents the Day of Judgment, when all of humanity will stand before their Creator. The Prophet said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah.” (Sahih Muslim, 1348)
For pilgrims, Arafat is a time of repentance, reflection, and renewal— and for non-pilgrims, fasting on that day is highly recommended.
Three core lessons from the
Sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim
(A.S.)
1. Absolute obedience to Allah
Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son teaches that the essence of faith is unquestioning obedience to Allah. He prioritised divine command over emotion, logic, or comfort.
Takeaway:
In our lives, we must also be ready to put aside our desires, egos, and even attachments if they conflict with Allah’s instructions. This may involve sacrifices such as waking up for Fajr, staying away from haram income, or being truthful in difficult situations.
2. Sincere intention and inner sacrifice
The real essence of the sacrifice lies in the heart’s submission to Allah.
It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him.”
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:37)
Takeaway:
Every act of worship should be grounded in sincerity. Whether it is prayer, charity, or sacrifice, what matters most is the purity of our intention.
3. Sacrifice for the greater good
The legacy of Eid-ul-Adha teaches us that sometimes, faith requires us to give up what we love for a greater purpose. Sacrificing wealth, time, or status in the path of Allah or for the benefit of others leads to spiritual elevation.
Takeaway:
Use your resources such as time, money, skills, for acts of benefit: support the poor, educate the young, assist the sick, and build your community.
Celebrating Eid-ul-Adha: A
Festival for all Muslims
Even for those who do not go on Hajj, Eid-ul-Adha holds immense significance. Muslims across the world participate in the act of Qurbani (sacrifice) to honor the tradition of Ibrahim (A.S.).
Types of animals and their
symbolism
Permissible animals include goats, sheep, cows, and camels. Each must meet a minimum age and be free of defects. The sacrificed animal is then divided into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy.
This distribution reflects the spirit of sharing, compassion, and social responsibility—values at the heart of Islam.
The eternal message of Eid-ul-Adha
Eid-ul-Adha is not merely a celebration; it is a living tradition that calls us to:
• Submit like Ibrahim,
• Strive like Hajar,
• Sacrifice like Isma’il,
• Reflect like the pilgrims at Arafat.
May this Eid awaken within us a renewed commitment to obedience, sincerity, and compassion.
Let us make every Eid-ul-Adha a step forward in our spiritual journey, embodying the values of submission, sacrifice, and service to humanity. I wish every Muslim Eid Mubaarak
By Imaam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
(Kpone Katamanso Metropolitan Chief Imaam)
Fruitful Living
Steps taken by government to combat illicit drugs (Final part)
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking for a safer environment which would
go a long way to make Ghana a drug-free country. 3News.com (2025)
Solutions to Illicit Drugs from the Islamic perspective
are comprehensive and emphasise of both prevention and treatment:
Tarbiyah (Islamic nurturing): Instilling strong Islamic values from childhood through Qur’anic education, regular prayer, and association with righteous companions.
Community preaching (Da’wah): Imams must consistently raise awareness during khutbahs and Islamic programs about the dangers of drugs and the beauty of a sober, productive life.
Faith-based rehabilitation: Mosques and Islamic centers can partner with medical institutions to offer Qur’an therapy, spiritual counseling, and structured recovery programs.
Islamic youth clubs: Providing youth with halal entertainment, mentorship, and purposeful engagement can steer them away from harmful peer groups.
Zakat and Sadaqah: Channelling funds to support families of victims and establishing centres for rehabilitation.
Role of Parents, Society, Muslim Chiefs and Imams:
Parents must be vigilant and provide emotional support. A loving, nurturing home reduces a child’s vulnerability to drugs.
Society should de-stigmatize addiction. Drug users should be seen as patients needing healing, not criminals deserving rejection.
Muslim Chiefs must lead community campaigns, setting moral examples and supporting policy enforcement.
Imams must be more than religious leaders—they must become counsellors, educators, and advocates. Their leadership can shift public perception and guide collective action.
Conclusion
Illicit drugs pose one of the most dangerous threats to our society, undermining our religious values, harming our youth, and destroying our future. The Islamic position is clear and
Unequivocal: such substances are forbidden due to their destructive consequences on all aspects of life. Islam does not merely condemn the act but calls for a holistic response—spiritual, social, and structural.
As a society, particularly as Muslims, we must rise to confront this crisis with faith, compassion, and commitment. We must not only preach against drugs but actively work to rehabilitate victims, educate the next generation, and partner with public institutions to create a society of wellness and righteousness.
Recommendations
1. Introduce Islamic drug awareness education in madrasas and public schools, using Quran and Hadith-based materials to instill moral responsibility.
2. Create partnerships between the Ghana Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Health Service, and Muslim organisations to develop culturally sensitive rehabilitation centres.
3. Train Imams and teachers in basic mental health and drug abuse counselling to serve as front-line responders in communities.
4. Utilise Friday sermons (khutbahs) nationwide to address the dangers of drug abuse periodically and provide practical steps for prevention.
5. Encourage community surveillance, where parents, chiefs, and youth groups report dealers and suspicious activities to the authorities.
6. Establish mentorship programmes in every Muslim community where successful, drug-free role models mentor youth.
7. Form interfaith coalitions, working across religious lines to tackle the drug menace as a national threat rather than a religious issue.
8. Provide job skills training for rehabilitated victims, helping them reintegrate into society and live dignified, self-sufficient lives.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
