When we find ourselves short on faith, we can honestly ask God for help.
I was just reading a very interesting exchange between Jesus and a father in the Gospel of Mark, chapter four. Jesus had just come down from the mountain where the Transfiguration had occurred. He had taken three of His disciples with him on his journey and was rejoining the other nine when a man from the crowd called out for His help.
Apparently, the man’s son was possessed by a spirit that had taken away his speech and threw him to the ground making him foam at the mouth and gnash his teeth. The father was desperate for help for his child and had appealed to the nine disciples who were present for assistance, but they had been unable to help.
Jesus instructs the man to bring the boy to Him. When he does, the spirit immediately throws the child on the ground and causes him to convulse. Jesus asks the man how long the boy has been this way and the man says since childhood and the spirit sometimes throws him into a fire or water to try to kill him.
I can hear the desperation in his voice when he begs Jesus to help his child. “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Mark 9:22b
I picture Jesus very quietly and intently looking the man directly in the eyes and sternly giving His reply. “If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23
But, this man was not giving up. He was in the presence of a power he had never known and he continued to plead for his child. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
I can definitely identify with this poor man. He is desperate. He’s afraid. He wants to believe. He has some faith, but not complete faith. Don’t we all struggle with situations like that? We believe. We pray. We want to have complete faith that God will take care of it, but we continue to worry anyway. Giving it to God and not taking it back is a lifelong struggle for most Christians.
Do we go to God in prayer with complete confidence or do we take the unspoken word “if” with us? If is a big word when it comes to faith.
But, the scripture here seems to tell us that even when we falter, even when our faith waivers, He will help us anyway. He goes on to heal the boy despite the father’s incomplete faith.
I think the key when we are struggling with our faith is to admit it. The man told Jesus he believed, but asked Him to help with his unbelief. We have the same option today. Jesus doesn’t ask us to fake it. He asks for our open and pure hearts and our honesty. If we have needs, we are supposed to ask and if one of our needs is the lack of faith, we need to ask.
When we do, Jesus will help build or restore our faith. He will remove the “if” from the situation and then all things become possible. Doesn’t that sound fabulous?
What do you think about “ifs” and faith? I’d love to hear from you.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂