Parashat Shelach
There are two sides to every coin, and more than one way to perceive any given circumstance. Often the perception falls to one side or the other, pessimistic or optimistic. But the position of faith is to see both sides while maintaining hope in God!
The position of faith is not a denial of the situation or circumstances because there can be very real difficulty. Rather, the position of faith is being able to see beyond the problem and see the potential for good because we have a reason for true hope.
Caleb and Joshua didn’t deny the reality that there were giants in the land, but they could see beyond the problem and trust in God’s ability to deliver.
Rahab didn’t deny that her city and all who were in it were about to be destroyed, but she could see beyond the problem, recognizing that she could be saved by getting in alignment with God. She was given a thread of hope to place in her window as a sign and she and those who sought refuge with her were kept safe even when the destruction came.
But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.
numbers 14:24