I'm thankful I have my faith.

The words of Israel Folau are short, yet they carry the weight of eternity: “I’m thankful I have my faith.” In this humble declaration lies a truth older than empires and stronger than the crowns of kings. For when all else is stripped away—fame, wealth, strength, even reputation—what remains is the foundation of the soul, the unwavering trust in something beyond oneself. Folau, who has known both triumph on the field and turmoil in the world beyond it, reveals that his anchor is not glory, not applause, but faith.

To say “I’m thankful” is more than casual gratitude; it is the acknowledgment that faith itself is not earned, but received. Faith cannot be bought with gold nor secured with power. It is a gift that sustains in times of hardship, when the cheers have faded and the storms descend. Folau’s life, marked by public controversy and personal trial, demonstrates why his words are not spoken lightly. For when the world turned its gaze upon him with judgment, it was not fame or skill that preserved him, but his steadfast belief in God.

The ancients, too, knew the value of such faith. Consider Daniel, thrown into the lions’ den for refusing to abandon his devotion. He did not stand with sword in hand, but with prayer upon his lips, trusting in the unseen. Or consider Joan of Arc, a young woman who, facing death at the stake, proclaimed her faith in God unshaken. Such figures remind us that faith is the fortress no enemy can breach, the inner citadel where strength is renewed. Folau joins this lineage, declaring not his prowess as an athlete, but his reliance on the unseen foundation that carries him.

The simplicity of the quote is itself profound. He does not boast of complex theologies or mighty deeds, but of one truth: “I have my faith.” This echoes the wisdom of sages who taught that the greatest treasures are often the simplest. Bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, faith to the weary. In the end, such gifts are what sustain life. Without faith, victories are hollow. With faith, even defeat can be endured with dignity and strength.

The lesson here is clear: do not despise the power of faith, whatever its form in your life. For in moments when the world crumbles, it is faith that whispers hope. It may be faith in God, in goodness, in love, or in the guiding hand of providence. But whatever it is, cherish it. Like Folau, learn to be thankful not only for possessions or achievements, but for the invisible strength that carries you through.

Practical action can be drawn from this teaching. Each day, cultivate gratitude for the unseen foundations of your life. Set aside moments for prayer, reflection, or meditation, to strengthen the inner citadel of your heart. When trials come, do not despair, but lean into that faith, reminding yourself that storms pass, but the anchor holds. And above all, share your faith not with arrogance, but with humility and love, for the strength you draw may one day become the strength another desperately needs.

Thus, the words of Israel Folau echo as an enduring teaching: to have faith is to have treasure, to be thankful for it is to walk in wisdom. Let us, too, be mindful of this truth, carrying our faith with gratitude, so that when our own trials come, we may stand unshaken, upheld by the unseen strength that endures forever.