We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other . . . (2 Thessalonians 1: 3)

Among the things for which Paul thanks God is the fact that the faith of the Thessalonians is not only growing, but growing exceedingly. We mentioned, in our series on faith, the passage in Romans where Paul declares that each of us has been given a measure of faith. (Romans 12: 3) What he is suggesting here is that the measure with which we begin does not have to remain the same size. It can and should grow.

How can our faith grow?

It grows by using it when we find ourselves in situations beyond our resources and abilities. It grows by extending it to areas of our lives to which it had never been previously applied. (For example, we may have had great faith when it came to healing, but not when it came to giving.) It grows by standing upon it when every other foundation fails. It grows when we live by it as a lifestyle and not just an act of desperation. It will not be a secret when your faith grows. For, when your faith grows, you will be able to do more, trust more, relax more and yes, even have more.