By Gail Dobert

It is befitting that the first of the Twelve Powers is faith. People make New Year's resolutions by the score at the beginning of each new calendar year. Often, positive energy flows as we resolve to break old habits and create new ones.

Many people feel hopeful as they set new goals or “dust off” old ones. Each year, we aim to achieve our resolutions such as health, wealth or finding the perfect mate. Other popular resolutions include finding a new job, finishing or starting school … the list is endless. The common thread through all of these resolutions is that we look to the coming year with excitement and a new plan for success and happiness.

But it often seems we run out of steam before the spring flowers break free of the winter soil. Why? Don't we have enough faith to accomplish our goals and resolutions? What does “enough faith” mean?

The first of the Twelve Powers identified by Unity's co-founder Charles Fillmore is Faith. When putting Faith into action, we follow Jesus' example as he called forth Peter, his first disciple, who represents Faith. Peter seemed weak and inconsistent in his Faith until Jesus taught him how to direct and use it.

Fillmore, in his book, The Twelve Powers of Man explains it like this: “Peter began to walk on the water in spiritual faith, but when he saw the effects of the wind he was afraid and began to sink. Then the I AM (Jesus) gave its hand of spiritual power, the wind ceased, and there was no longer any doubt of faith's ability to rise above the negative consciousness.”

Peter looked beyond appearances and regained his equilibrium through Faith. This is a wonderful metaphor for our New Year's resolutions.

For example, someone may set financial goals at the beginning of the year knowing that he/she can stay the course and reach the predetermined goal. But when the person sits down with a checkbook he or she may begin to “sink.”

It is at this point that you can turn within and pray, if only for a moment to regain your ability to rise above the negative thoughts and the appearance of any situation.

You can address “the facts” in a logical, reasonable way and through Faith, see beyond them knowing you can adjust your perception of any situation through Faith.

In prayer and meditation you can tap into that place within you that knows Spirit flows in the direction of your dreams.

The question stated earlier, “Do I have enough faith to accomplish my goals and resolutions?” would be better stated, “How do I use my faith to rise above negative thinking?”

I believe we are all born with the same amount of faith. Faith is innate and fully present within us. We are also all born with the ability to choose how and when we use our faith.

Fillmore states, “Intellectual faith admits doubt, and hope of fulfillment in the future; spiritual faith includes unfailing assurance and immediate response.” He goes on to say, “Faith in the reality of the invisible builds a real abiding substance in mind and in body. All kinds of ideas grow quickly when planted in this rich substance of the mind.”

I invite you to take a minute right now and think about the year ahead, or maybe just the week ahead. Are you sinking into negative thinking (stress, fear, apathy) or are you able to call forth your faith and rise above, knowing that all things are working together for your good?

As human beings, it is completely normal to slide back and forth all the time. However, you can never sink so far that your innate faith, and others' faith in you, can't bring you back to the surface.

Ask yourself, do you have faith that always sinks …or do you have faith that rises above?

Remember, we are all in this together—one faith-filled moment at a time. I have faith that you will create a happy, healthy New Year for yourself!

 

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