Help My Unbelief
Scripture - Mark 9:14-29
What would happen in our lives if we would only believe? In today's passage let's look at the heart of this father who brought his son to the disciples to heal him.
He must have heard about all the miracles Jesus and His disciples had done and decided this was the help his son needed to rid him of the dumb spirit once and for all. Imagine the hope he must have had for his son, only to get to the disciples and witness their failed attempt at healing him. The disappointment and hopeless he must have felt. I'm sure that put a dent in his faith and belief.
Jesus came along and asked the father, "How long has he been like this?" He replied, "Since he was a small child." I'm sure he was desperate to see his son healed and set free. What parent wouldn't be?
As parents, we long for the best for our children. We want to see them healthy and successful at life. When something is wrong with them we feel it's our fault or we failed them in some way. And when the help we seek fails, it can really dampen our spirits and cause us to really question ourselves as parents. "Did I make the right decision? Did I do the right thing? Is this really what's best for my child(ren)?
In desperation, this father makes a plea to Jesus, "If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us" (v. 22). That word "if" in his statement indicates a hint of doubt. So Jesus replied, "If you can believe" (v. 23). That word "if" used by Jesus meant, it's contingent on you to believe. But Jesus did not stop there. He spoke to and encouraged this father's belief by saying, "All things are possible to him that believes."
The Bible says this father cried out with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief." He called Jesus Lord, so that meant this man believed Jesus was/is Lord. But he also said "help my unbelief."
"Lord, I believe in You and I know you are Lord, but I'm struggling to believe You can help me in this situation." Have you ever felt that way? I have, plenty of times! But we must be like this father and asked Jesus, "Help me to believe You more. Help me to believe You can fix this... or heal me... or provide what I need... or get me out of this situation… or heal my loved one..." Not only will He heal our beliefs, He will also heal our situation. But we must believe.
Imagine the relief this father must have felt after seeing his son struggle for years. The burden that must have been lifted from his shoulders. Imagine the freedom he must have felt and the joy that the struggle was finally over all because he was able to believe.
Do you want to experience the freedom this father felt? Then only believe! Struggling with unbelief? Ask Jesus to help your unbelief and be encouraged through His Word.
Journal
- What area(s) of your life are you struggling to fully believe God to fix or heal for you?
- Why has this been a struggle for you?
- In what ways can you begin to change your beliefs so you can experience more of God in your life?
- Spend time praying and asking God to help and heal any areas of unbelief in your life.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. -Romans 15:13, ESV
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