When We Struggle to Believe
“Immediately the father cried out, ‘I do believe! Help me to believe more!’”-Mark 9:24
We are not alone when we struggle with doubt in what God can do. We struggle to believe that He can heal a sickness, pain, or provide for us with another job when we get laid off. In Mark 9:24, one man struggled to believe in what Jesus could do. He struggled to believe because he was so distraught that his son had been suffering from being possessed by a mute spirit (Mark 9:20). The spirit dashed the child to the ground, made him grind his teeth, and foam at the mouth Mark 9:20). The son suffered with the evil spirit for many years and to have Jesus heal his son was very difficult for the father to believe (Mark 9:21).
The father is not alone in struggling to believe what Jesus could do. The disciples who spent all their time with Him also struggled to believe. Thomas needed to see Jesus’ hands before believing He rose from the dead after the other disciples told him that they saw Jesus (John 20:24-25). Jesus was patient with Thomas and said to him in John 20:27-29:
“Put your finger here and look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop being an unbeliever and believe.”
Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you see me. Those who believe without seeing me will be truly blessed.”
Jesus was very patient with the people who doubted and did not get mad. Believing and trusting God is a process that takes time and does not happen overnight or come easily. When we experience trials, they help us to develop our faith and trust in Him each time more and more. Over time we will be able to recognize God’s faithfulness and learn how to trust Him.
Prayer of the day:
Dear heavenly Father,
Help us in our unbelief. We call out to You during times of unbelief because we struggle to believe. We struggle to believe because it could be that we never had the need to trust You until we lose a job or have cancer. You give us Jesus to count on during the times of doubt. Please continue to have mercy on us and help us not to doubt but put our trust in You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
