Some secrets need to be kept. The cherished recipe of a famous fried chicken chain or the nuclear codes for a missile launch, immediately come to mind. A company’s solvency or a nation’s security depends on complex layers of protection.

But some facts need to be known. How to keep our faith functioning is one of them. Our faith comes “from hearing the Good News about Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NLT)  But as life catches us off guard, how do we preserve what we believe about Him?

As the Apostle Paul considered this question, here is the answer he gave to the Philippian church:

“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” (Philippians 3:1 NLT)

Paul spent the remainder of chapter 3 encouraging the Philippians with many things; but the first thing he says is “whatever happens…rejoice in the Lord.”

The secret is out.

The protective layers of our faith are not found in how well we can hide it or in how well we can hide from life’s difficulties. Faith is preserved as we delight in what it means to follow Christ.

And yet, when I think about what is happening in and around my life, from my parenting to living through a pandemic, my faith is being put to the test. Yours might be too. But here are a few reasons why I need to hold fast to what I believe.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) And if my desire for pleasing Him stops, my detour from His plan begins.

In times of conflict, I may put on my spiritual armor; but faith is my shield. It deflects what seeks to defeat God’s purpose in me. ( see Ephesians 6:10-18)

Because if my faith fails, my hope fades. (see Hebrews 11:1) Then fear seizes the opportunity to have the final say.

And if it does, all kinds of questions may come.

We may wonder why God doesn’t keep an event from happening. But by faith, we can focus on who He is — no matter what happens.

Perhaps you’re in the middle of that tension right now. If so, delighting in the Lord doesn’t require us to deny a tragedy or sugarcoat an atrocity. God doesn’t ignore these things either. And yet, as our Redeemer, He keeps no record of our sins. (Psalm 103:8-12) But as the Keeper of our souls, He keeps a record of our sorrows.

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!” (Psalm 56:7-9 NLT)

Knowing God is on my side, I choose to be on His side too. As I commit to live by His truth, I know He has the final say. And when I call on Him for help, “my enemies will retreat.” Then shame, doubt and fear (just to name a few of my foes) have to flee.

It’s no secret. God is also on your side. As we embrace and delight in Christ’s redemption, even if life catches us off guard, we can still safeguard our faith. And in that, I greatly rejoice.