Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
- Mark 9:21–24 (NIV11)
It's not always easy to believe. I'm not talking about believing in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, or believing that he died and rose for our sins. Rather, I mean believing that Jesus, as our Lord, can be trusted to pursue God's will for our lives even if we can't understand the whys and hows of it all. In other words, it can be hard to believe and have faith in the midst of doubt. After all, how can one believe (have faith) and yet doubt at the same time?
Well, let me suggest that "doubt" is not the opposite of "faith" but rather the opposite of "certainty". Faith runs the gamut between doubt and certainty. While we perceive our faith as strong when we have high confidence in what we believe, a faith sustained only by certainty will not survive the painful trials and tribulations of life. It is a faith akin to the seed which is planted on rocky ground, yet dies away in times of trouble and persecution for it has no roots to sustain it (Mark 4:16-17).
There are times in our lives when, overwhelmed with doubt but deeply longing to trust in God, we cry out "I believe; help me overcome my unbelief?" This is not the sign of a lack of faith but rather a rooted, maturing faith learning to trust in God even when doubt seeks to uproot us.
Prayer:
O merciful God, we confess that we feel disheartened at times. We confess that doubt overwhelms us. Forgive us and help us to overcome our unbelief which hinders our ability to trust in you fully as Lord of our lives through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Well, let me suggest that "doubt" is not the opposite of "faith" but rather the opposite of "certainty". Faith runs the gamut between doubt and certainty. While we perceive our faith as strong when we have high confidence in what we believe, a faith sustained only by certainty will not survive the painful trials and tribulations of life. It is a faith akin to the seed which is planted on rocky ground, yet dies away in times of trouble and persecution for it has no roots to sustain it (Mark 4:16-17).
There are times in our lives when, overwhelmed with doubt but deeply longing to trust in God, we cry out "I believe; help me overcome my unbelief?" This is not the sign of a lack of faith but rather a rooted, maturing faith learning to trust in God even when doubt seeks to uproot us.
Prayer:
O merciful God, we confess that we feel disheartened at times. We confess that doubt overwhelms us. Forgive us and help us to overcome our unbelief which hinders our ability to trust in you fully as Lord of our lives through Jesus Christ. Amen.
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