Crazy Faith Summary

Faith is not believing in what you can see but trusting in what you can't see — knowing that it will become reality with God’s guidance.

1. Faith That Pushes Boundaries

Faith is often about believing in unimaginable possibilities. Michael Todd illustrates this with examples like early pioneers of air travel and the fight for racial equality in America. These breakthroughs seemed unattainable to those living in the past, yet they became reality through bold belief in change.

Similarly, Todd encourages us to dream big and trust in God’s plan even when it seems "crazy" to others. Faith, he explains, involves believing in outcomes that seem impossible based on our current situation. Whether it’s mending a broken relationship, building wealth from poverty, or changing one’s life direction entirely, faith is the driver of transformation.

By comparing faith to a skyscraper's foundations, Todd emphasizes the importance of building belief on sturdy spiritual principles rather than shaky self-doubt. Just as architects plan structures to endure life’s storms, we too must root our goals deeply in trust and divine purpose.

Examples

• The Wright brothers' faith in creating air travel.
• The courage and belief behind the Civil Rights Movement.
• Building aspirations upon God’s promises rather than one’s fears.

2. The Power of Taking Baby Steps

Big achievements often start in small ways. Todd explains that "baby faith" — taking tiny, incremental steps — is essential for building a foundation of trust in God’s plan. Just as you can’t sprint without first learning to walk, enormous goals require gradual progress.

For example, he draws parallels with the story of Noah, whose baby faith began with chopping down the first tree to build his ark. Noah wasn’t immediately handed a completed vessel — he had to labor with consistent faith in God's plan. Likewise, personal transformation comes from moving forward bit by bit, practicing patience instead of expecting instant rewards.

The author encourages readers to imagine a better future, trusting that steady, determined steps guided by God will make it possible. This act of envisioning the end goal already begins to put faith into motion.

Examples

• Noah’s perseverance in preparing the ark.
• Wooing a life partner through small, thoughtful gestures.
• Choosing to cook a nourishing meal instead of settling for quick takeout.

3. Embracing the "Maybe" in Faith

Faith often exists in a realm of uncertainty, and Todd calls this "maybe faith." He explains that our belief in God deepens precisely when we acknowledge our doubts and uncertainties. Instead of demanding total certainty, we must learn to lean into the possibility of divine intervention.

Todd reframes "maybe" as a hopeful word — a place where miracles can happen. Our trust in God is strongest when faced with ambiguous situations. He reminds us that faith begins where our certainty ends. This principle is grounded in Scripture, such as Isaiah 55:8–9, where God declares that His ways are beyond human understanding.

The author also introduces the 51 percent rule: even a slight majority of belief is enough to fully commit. Faith doesn’t demand perfection; progress matters more than an unwavering belief in every moment.

Examples

• Accepting the unpredictability of life's outcomes.
• The passage from Isaiah stressing how God's plans surpass human logic.
• A candidate winning an election with just 51 percent — proof that small edges can lead to big results.

4. The Danger of Lazy Faith

While faith can inspire hope, we must act on it or risk falling into what Todd calls "lazy faith." Using the example of Jesus' disciples falling asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane, Todd highlights human tendency to falter in moments when action is needed most.

Lazy faith happens when we wait for God to do everything for us, neglecting our responsibility to take meaningful action. Todd points out that sitting idly, waiting for opportunities to appear, leads to stagnation and can eventually extinguish faith entirely. God expects us to show our love and trust through our efforts.

Switching from passive to active faith is the solution. Recognizing that God's gift of motivation has already been given, we must turn our spiritual energy into action that aligns with His vision for us.

Examples

• The disciples’ failure to stay awake and support Jesus in His hour of need.
• Dreaming of entrepreneurship but failing to take real financial steps.
• Avoiding action out of fear or waiting indefinitely for divine intervention.

5. Write It Down to Manifest It

One of Todd’s simplest yet most effective tips is to put your dreams in writing. During his childhood, he couldn’t afford expensive sneakers, but by sketching them with faith, he eventually received them. Writing down goals invites God’s involvement in making them reality.

Todd references the biblical instruction from Habakkuk 2 to "write the vision." When we articulate our deepest desires on paper, we communicate them clearly to both ourselves and God. This act strengthens our belief and helps us stay focused on the path forward.

The author shares how this practice helped him envision and grow his church against all odds. His success reinforces that putting dreams into words on paper can bring seemingly impossible plans to fruition.

Examples

• Sketching unaffordable sneakers as a child and receiving them.
• Writing goals for Transformation Church's expansion.
• Referencing Habakkuk 2’s instruction to "make [the vision] plain."

6. The Spoken Word Activates Faith

Speaking prayers aloud, or "stating faith," adds power to your relationship with God. Todd draws inspiration from the Genesis creation story, where God spoke the universe into being. By voicing faith, we embrace the truth of what we hope for.

Praying aloud strengthens your connection to God, much like teaching a child to articulate their thoughts makes them more effective communicators. Speaking your desires helps transform visualizations into active, living moments of spiritual surrender.

Todd uses a personal example: imagining his nonverbal autistic son speaking fluently one day. Not only does he pray for this moment, but he actively visualizes and verbalizes his son giving speeches in a classroom setting.

Examples

• God saying, “Let there be light,” to create the world.
• A child developing stronger communication skills through vocalization.
• Todd praying out loud for his son’s future successes.

7. Facing Times of Weak or Fading Faith

No one’s faith is constant; even strong believers encounter doubts. Todd explains that loss, hardship, or moments of unanswered prayer can cause "fading faith." He uses the Bible story of doubting Thomas to illustrate how easily despair can unsettle our trust in God.

Thomas felt overlooked when the resurrected Jesus visited others first, leading him to question the miracle. But he didn’t isolate himself; instead, he stayed connected to his faith community. Later, Jesus appeared to Thomas, proving that persistence in dark times leads to renewed belief.

For Todd, surrounding yourself with people who maintain their own strong faith is vital. It’s these connections that sustain your spirit when yours falters.

Examples

• Thomas doubting Jesus’ resurrection until he finally witnessed it.
• Coping with loss, like Todd’s struggles with his son’s autism.
• Staying connected to others during times of spiritual darkness.

8. Patience Is Key to Faith’s Growth

Faith doesn’t operate on a human timeline. Todd emphasizes patience and trusting the bigger picture, even when results don’t come as quickly as we’d like. Calling on stories like Noah building his ark slowly over time, Todd shows how enduring faith fosters spiritual growth.

Small wins along the way build the foundation for significant successes. Rushing or attempting shortcuts undermines faith’s process, leaving us less prepared to handle great rewards in the future.

Patience becomes a spiritual exercise, requiring trust that God’s plan unfolds at the right pace if we rely on His guidance.

Examples

• Noah’s years-long construction of the ark.
• Taking small, manageable steps in achieving personal goals.
• Letting go of modern convenience culture’s demand for instant results.

9. Faith Requires Action, Risk, and Vulnerability

Faith, Todd argues, ultimately demands bold action. Taking risks in pursuit of dreams shows trust in God, even when outcomes are uncertain. Embracing vulnerability means surrendering control to divine intervention.

These actions aren’t easy, especially when they involve the risk of failure or judgment from others. Yet it's through daring steps that we show God our trust and reap blessings beyond imagination.

Todd shares examples of his own ministry work, overcoming fears to pursue ambitions that once seemed impossible. By embracing discomfort, he deepened his connection to God and achieved success that defied expectations.

Examples

• Launching risky ministry projects despite financial challenges.
• Taking daring actions in relationships or career changes based on faith.
• Learning from biblical figures who took leaps of faith against the odds.

Takeaways

1. Write out your vision and present it to God as a prayerful commitment.
2. Take small, consistent steps toward your goals without expecting results overnight.
3. Surround yourself with people who inspire your faith, especially during difficult times.