I propose that when faith becomes a "force" to us that we wield, it has likely become an idol that looks more like some Star Wars movie or the Lord of the Rings type stuff than it does Christianity. Faith is trust in Almighty God and the belief that He can do all things and that He can do the impossible, but it is also wise, humble, and grounded in the truth that prayers MUST be submitted to the perfect will of the Father, always. Jesus prayed in submission to God's perfect will even when it led Him to a gruesome and painful death on the cross, who are we to pray any differently? Imbalanced and idolatrous faith is faith that only believes for blessings that seem right to us, and discounts ALL seemingly negative occurrences as things from the devil to be rebuked. This kind of thinking is not only unbiblical, but projects onto God the image of a puny Creator who is limited and not very powerful. Where is our reverence for the God of Scripture when we discount God's judgment, His wrath, the refiner's fire, and the value of suffering in this life? How do we so easily dismiss the God we see in the book of Job who ordained Job's suffering for the glory of the Lord? Why do we so quickly forget the thorn in Paul's side that God refused to remove because His grace was sufficient? Why do we assume that God only wants ease and comfort and prosperity for us when the Apostles and early Church suffered greatly for the Gospel and were content with little or much because they had learned they could do all things through Christ who strengthened them? Are we that enamored and blinded by the American dream that we have chosen to proudly ignore the parts of the Bible that don't line up with IT and made a new Gospel that is more attune to our taste and lifestyle and modern sensibilities? Faith is not tested and true faith when it isn't surrendered to God's perfect will being done. True faith is most proven when we don't get exactly what we want and choose to trust God and be content with what He sees fit. It believes God for the impossible, while also humbly proclaiming in the fear of Almighty God, "not my will, but YOURS be done, Father." I am in NO way discounting the God of blessings, joy, and provision, I am just calling out for a balanced and biblical faith that is mature, and grounded in the reality of the God of Scripture. We have to read and consider Scripture in light of all the other Scriptures, and by doing that we see that while our faith can move mountains, it is not the force of our stubborn personal will, wisdom and belief that accomplishes it, but rather radical trust in our all-powerful God and a determination to submit all of our requests to the preference of God's omnipotent prerogative.

"And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him"- 1 John 5:14-15 Berean Study Bible

"And He (Jesus) went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.'"- Matthew 26:39, NASB

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this (the thorn in Paul's side), that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."- 2 Corinthians 12:8-10,

"'Have faith in God,' Jesus said to them. 23'Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.'"- Mark 11:22-24

"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'"- Matthew 6:9-13

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."- Philippians 4:6-7

"You, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials 7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."- 1 Peter 1:5-7

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[b] and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"- 1 Peter 4:12-17

"For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit."- 1 Peter 3:17-18

**(words in italics added in for clarification)**