The Way Forward - The Only Way Is Through
The Only Way Forward is Through: Moving by Faith When Life Gets Impossible
Life has a way of cornering us. Whether it's family struggles, career challenges, personal battles, or seasons where we feel trapped with no clear path forward, we all face moments where the way ahead seems impossible. Yet there's a profound truth that can transform how we navigate these difficult seasons: the only way forward is through, and faith is what empowers us to keep moving.
Key Verses
Exodus 14:13-14
Romans 8:11
Matthew 16:24
Romans 5:3-5
James 2:14
What Does It Mean That "The Only Way is Through"?
We cannot avoid life. The good, the bad, the ugly, the mountain peaks, and the valleys - it's all coming whether we like it or not. As much as we'd love to circumvent certain challenges or simply avoid dealing with difficult situations, God's design for our growth requires us to walk through them.
The journey of going through whatever we're facing is what actually shapes us into who God wants us to be. From the moment He knit us together in our mother's womb, He had a purpose and design for our lives that can only be fulfilled by walking through - not around - the challenges we face.
Why Faith Must Be Anchored to the Right Thing
Having strong faith isn't enough if it's placed in the wrong object. Even bold, confident faith in the wrong thing will not save you - in fact, it can be destructive. Consider a rock climber who has tremendous faith in his grip strength and ability, but if he places that faith in something that cannot hold his weight, his strong faith won't prevent a fatal fall.
This is why our faith must be anchored to Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in ourselves, our willpower, our circumstances, or our ability to control outcomes, that faith will eventually let us down. But when our faith is anchored to Christ, it gives us access to a power source greater than ourselves - the Holy Spirit.
The Power of God With Us
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, saying "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." Romans 8:11 reminds us that if the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, He will give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit who lives in us.
God never calls us to navigate life's challenges on our own strength and willpower. He's saying, "Anchor your faith to Christ, because I am with you, I am in you, and I am empowering you." When we're exhausted and the way forward seems impossible, we can remind ourselves: God is with me, He's empowering me, and He's given me what I need to make it through.
How Faith Empowers Both the Ordinary and the Impossible
The story of the Israelites at the Red Sea provides one of the clearest pictures of how faith works in impossible situations. After being freed from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites found themselves trapped between Pharaoh's pursuing army, impassable mountains, and the Red Sea. There was literally no way out.
Standing Firm When There's No Visible Solution
Moses told the people, "Fear not. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." This is the gospel according to Exodus - you can't earn your salvation, you can't work for it, there's nothing you can do to save yourself. You just need to stand firm, be silent, and watch God work.
When God told Moses to tell the people to "go forward," the only direction was toward the water. The way forward was through the impossible - through the sea itself.
Moving Forward Before Seeing the Solution
The water was not parted before they started to move. They had to begin moving by faith, and then God provided the path. Moving forward was both an act of faith and an act of repentance - a radical reorientation that said, "I'm not just looking at my circumstances, I'm looking to the God who made the heavens and the earth."
What Does Moving Forward by Faith Look Like Today?
Moving forward by faith in our daily lives might look like:
Choosing to face your fears and pursue your dreams and calling, even when mountains block your path
Choosing to forgive when forgiveness feels impossible and the pain runs deep
Choosing to let go of bitterness you've held onto for years
Choosing to give generously even when finances feel tight
Choosing to reach out for help when anxiety and depression has you trapped
Choosing to believe things can change even when they've been the same for years
All of these require faith in the God of the impossible.
Remembering Past Victories Fuels Present Faith
Many of us have been through spiritual and emotional battles where we thought, "There's no way through this, I'm going to die here." Yet God brought us through. We took ground, we conquered, and the Lord sustained us.
We need to remember these victories. Just as a soldier might collect dirt from battlefields where he fought and won, we should remember the places where God delivered us. These memories fuel our faith for the next storm, the next battle, the next impossible situation we face.
Understanding the Relationship Between Faith and Works
Christianity is not a religion of works - we don't earn our way to God through good behavior. When we stand before God, our first words should be "Jesus died for me, I'm only here by His grace," not "I lived a pretty good life."
However, while we're saved by faith alone, genuine faith always produces works. Faith empowers change and forward movement in our lives. As James asks, "What good is it if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" The answer is no, because real faith produces action.
Faith Doesn't Replace Work - It Empowers It
Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must take up their cross and follow me." He didn't promise ease, but He did promise that the cross - though an instrument of death - is actually the doorway to resurrection and new life.
Faith doesn't eliminate the work or the struggle; it connects us to God's power, which gives us the endurance we need to keep going.
How Hope Fuels Faith
Romans 5 teaches us that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. This hope doesn't disappoint us because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
Hope fuels faith, which gives us strength to keep going. Like a swimmer who can persevere through fog and sharks when she keeps a mental picture of the shoreline, we can press on when we know God is with us and that He's not done with us yet.
What Faith Is and Isn't
Faith is not just something you have - it's something you do. It's an active belief in a sovereign God that causes forward movement in your life. Faith is taking God at His word, even when circumstances seem impossible.
It's never about the amount of your faith; it's about the object of your faith. Even a tiny grain of mustard seed faith in a sovereign God can move mountains and part seas. A little bit of faith in Jesus can bring breakthrough in your life, no matter what you're facing.
Life Application
This week, identify one area of your life where you feel stuck or trapped with no clear way forward. Instead of trying to find a way around the challenge, ask God to give you the faith to move through it. Take one concrete step forward, even if you can't see how God will provide a solution.
Remember that the water wasn't parted until the Israelites started moving toward it. Your breakthrough may be waiting on the other side of your obedient step forward.
Questions for Reflection:
What "impossible" situation in your life needs you to move forward by faith rather than waiting for circumstances to change first?
How can you anchor your faith more firmly in Christ rather than in your own abilities or circumstances?
What past victories can you remember that will fuel your faith for current challenges?
In what specific way is God calling you to "pick up your cross" and follow Him this week?
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
1. You Are Good - Israel And New Breed
2. Breakthrough -Red Rocks Worship
3. Mighty Name Of Jesus - The Belonging Co.
4. That’s Who I Praise - Brandon Lake
WFC Speedway
1. Battle Belongs - Phil Wickham
2. I Know A Name - Elevation Worship
3. Trust In God - Elevation Worship
Be sure to save our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!
