Leap of Faith – Origin & Meaning

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Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Are you looking to leap of faith and learn English phrases and idioms? You’ve come to the right place! The phrase “Leap of Faith” is deeply rooted in faith, literature, and history. In my simple guide to the common phrase, I’ll dive deep into its origins, explore its meaning, and provide helpful examples of how we can use this phrase in everyday conversations.

Taking a Leap of Faith

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A leap of faith is an expression that refers to trusting yourself and taking a risk even when the outcome is uncertain. Taking such a leap takes courage and a strong belief in oneself. Embracing this type of risk opens you up to new possibilities that may bring both rewards and failures.

Leaps of faith often come to us in moments of crisis or change when our usual strategies for decision-making may not be enough.

What Does the Saying “Leap of Faith” Mean?

The phrase leap of faith means just that and is often used to describe an act of courage and trust in which someone takes a risk despite the uncertain outcome. It can also refer to a situation requiring us to gamble without having all the facts or guarantees of success.

In either case, it involves taking action without a complete understanding of the risks and rewards, relying instead on our inner wisdom, intuition, or even sheer luck.

Taking leaps of faith can be terrifying, but they are essential for personal growth. They are necessary to experience new opportunities, move forward in life, and reach our goals.

Why Is It Called Leap of Faith?

To understand what a leap of faith is, I have to go back to its origin.

Leap of faith comes from the Latin “saltus fidei” and was first used in the mid-1800s. The first person to have used it was a Danish philosopher named Søren Kierkegaard.

The phrase was created to describe the blind faith people have in religion. He claims that people can only understand the true meaning of God through true faith.

Is a Leap of Faith a Good Thing?

Taking a leap of faith can be intimidating and risky, but it is often necessary for personal growth and development. It encourages us to trust ourselves and our intuition while at the same time pushing us out of our comfort zone.

This type of risk-taking requires courage and faith in oneself, which can lead to great rewards if successful.

A genuine faith in the step you’re taking can also help us build resilience in difficult times. Trusting ourselves when making decisions makes us more likely to persist even if the outcome doesn’t go as planned.

How Do You Use Leap of Faith?

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Leaps of faith are not just limited to religious situations. They can be seen in many areas of life. When making any big decision, it is important to weigh your options and then trust your gut instincts and make a leap of faith if needed.

This could manifest in starting a business, taking a job offer, or ending a toxic relationship. These decisions require us to take risks that may seem scary initially but can lead to great rewards because of the solid faith we have in the decision.

Leap of Faith Examples in a Sentence

Now that I’ve cleared up what it really means to take a leap of faith, let’s see how it works in a sentence:

  • A leap of faith led me to quit my job and start my own business.
  • I took a leap of faith when I moved to a new city without knowing anyone there.
  • She was afraid to take the leap of faith and leave her comfort zone.
  • It requires a leap of faith to believe in something you cannot see.
  • To succeed, sometimes you have to take a leap of faith.
  • Taking this leap of faith might lead to good things.

Other Ways to Say Leap of Faith

Here are some other phrases that express the same idea as “leap of faith”:

  • Blind bargain
  • Pig in a poke
  • Shot in the dark
  • Grab bag
  • Step of faith

The Bottom Line

A “leap of faith” refers to an act of blind trust. Taking a leap of faith often comes in moments of crisis or change when our usual decision-making strategies may not be enough. We can have more strength and resilience than ever before by relying on ourselves and making leaps of faith when necessary.