Mark 9:19, 23-24
“O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”“‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
tl;dr
Even strong believers struggle with doubt. When faith feels weak, return to the simple truths of the Gospel and trust Jesus with both today and eternity.
Often I use this prayer:
“Lord, I believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”
I struggle sometimes with trusting God with the desires of my heart. When I feel like those desires may never come to fruition, I can become sad, discouraged, and if I am not careful, defeated.
To avoid that, I go back to what I know I believe and rest in that.
I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I believe He gives me, in exchange, His right standing with God. I believe I am a new creation in Christ.
When I focus on this simple Gospel, all my issues seem smaller.
The father in this passage encourages me because he was honest. He believed, yet he still struggled with unbelief. Instead of hiding his doubts, he brought them directly to Jesus.
What a beautiful example for all of us.
Faith is not pretending doubts do not exist. Faith is bringing those doubts to Christ and asking Him to strengthen belief.
When I remember that Jesus has secured my eternity, it becomes easier to trust Him with my day-to-day life. If He has taken care of my greatest need, surely I can trust Him with today’s concerns, disappointments, and unanswered questions.
The more I focus on what I know to be true, the less power my fears and doubts have over me.
So today, if faith feels weak, pray the prayer of the desperate father:
“Lord, I believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”
I hope this helps today too.
Be well.
Forward in Christ!
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