How to Grow Your Faith (Even If It Feels Small)
The UnPerfected Life Podcast – Episode Recap & Devotional Thoughts
Faith isn’t something we wake up with one morning. It’s not instant, automatic, or effortless. Faith is planted like a seed and grows little by little as we choose to trust God each day.
Sometimes, faith begins small, like just one prayer, one verse, or one simple “yes.” But when we keep showing up with God, that faith becomes strong and steady.
In this post, we’ll explore where faith starts, how it grows, what nourishes it, and the incredible promise of what it can become.
Where Faith Begins
For me, faith began at home. My dad only had about a fifth- or sixth-grade education, and reading was always a challenge for him. But that didn’t stop him from opening his Bible.
Sometimes he read slowly, sounding out words. Sometimes it was just a verse or two. But day after day, he showed up with God.
What stuck with me wasn’t how much he knew, but how faithful he was. He showed me that faith doesn’t start with perfection or expertise. It starts with a heart willing to show up.
Romans 10:17 reminds us:
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Faith begins with the Word of God. Without it, faith has nothing to grow from. Like a garden, if there’s no seed in the soil, nothing will grow. Scripture is that seed.
Faith That Grows Through Trials and Obedience
David’s Story
Faith doesn’t stay in seed form. It grows as we put it into practice. David’s story in 1 Samuel 17 is a perfect example.
When David faced Goliath, his confidence didn’t appear out of nowhere. He remembered how God had been faithful before:
- God gave him strength to fight off a lion.
- God gave him courage to face a bear.
Those earlier battles prepared him for the bigger one. David didn’t need perfect circumstances or extraordinary ability. He needed the memory of God’s faithfulness and the willingness to step out in trust again.
Faith grows in the same way for us. Little steps of obedience (praying when we’re tired, serving when no one notices, trusting God in small decisions) lay a foundation that helps us stand firm when bigger tests come. Faith rarely grows in comfort; it deepens when we realize we are powerless and must lean on God completely.
Personal Reflection
When I think about David standing before Goliath, I see more than a young shepherd boy facing a giant. I see faith built over time, through small, faithful steps. David didn’t suddenly become brave; he remembered how God had carried him before. Each small victory prepared him for the big one.
That reminds me so much of my dad.
It would have been easy for him to let his lack of education hold him back. But he didn’t let what he didn’t know stop him from clinging to what he did know. God’s Word is alive, powerful, and trustworthy. Just like David remembered God’s past faithfulness, I remember my dad’s faith when I face challenges. It inspires me to step forward in trust, even when I feel small or unsure. Faith may start small, but with God, it can grow into something mighty.
Hezekiah’s Story
Hezekiah didn’t step into leadership during an easy season. Judah was small, fragile, and surrounded by powerful enemies. When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, threatened Judah, the danger wasn’t just political. It was spiritual.
Hezekiah’s first instinct was to run to God. He tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and went straight into the temple to pray (2 Kings 19:1). He spread the enemy’s mocking letter before the Lord and said,
“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear… so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You, O Lord, are God alone” (vv. 16–19).
Hezekiah’s faith wasn’t about an easier life. It was about glorifying God. And God answered: the Assyrian army was struck down, not by military power, but by God’s.
Later, when Hezekiah faced a life-threatening illness, he again cried out to God. This time, God’s response was different. He extended Hezekiah’s life by fifteen years (2 Kings 20:1–6). Faith isn’t about demanding a specific outcome; it’s about continually turning to God, no matter the result.
Personal Reflection
When I read Hezekiah’s story, I see a mirror of my own faith journey. My first instinct in hard seasons isn’t always prayer. It’s often worry, control, or despair. But each time I’ve run to God, my faith has grown, not because I’ve mastered it, but because I’ve learned to lean into God’s presence.
Faith doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. Like Hezekiah, it just has to be honest, dependent, and willing to give God the glory.
What Nourishes Faith
Starting is one thing, but like a seed or a campfire, faith needs fuel to keep growing. Here’s what nourishes it:
- God’s Word – Psalm 1:2–3 compares a person who delights in Scripture to a tree planted by streams of water…strong, healthy, fruitful. Every verse feeds our faith.
- Prayer – Philippians 4:6–7 reminds us that when we bring everything to God, His peace guards our hearts and minds. Prayer doesn’t just change situations, it changes us.
- Community – Hebrews 10:24–25 urges us not to give up meeting together, but to encourage one another. When your faith feels weak, someone else’s faith can carry you.
- Remembering God’s Faithfulness – Revelation 12:11 says believers overcame “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” Looking back at God’s work fuels courage for what’s next.
Think of it like charging your phone. No matter how advanced the device, it’s useless if you never plug it in. Scripture, prayer, and community are how we stay charged in our faith.
Final Thought
Faith begins with God’s Word. It grows as we trust Him in the little things. And it matures when we look back and see His fingerprints all over our story. Wherever you are today in your faith journey, know this: Jesus has called you to be his disciple so God will equip you for the calling.
Remember, God’s Strength is made perfect in your weakness, so boast in it.
Resources & Links:
Listen to more episodes of The UnPerfected Life podcast.
Free Family Devotional Guide for this episode
Follow Kat on Instagram: @unperfectedministries
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