Doubting Your Faith... What If?

 By: Paula Short

A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech." – Mark 9:17, NIV.

He walked for days. His back was achy and sore, and his mouth was so dry. 

But still, he'd come. While he traveled all this way, he was prompted by just one question, "What if…?"

He'd heard the many claims from people about the Messiah. Some said Jesus brought a dead man back to life. Others told stories of healing for their children. 

It was because of this that he had brought him all this way. He looked at the sleeping boy snuggled in his arms. It was not often that his son was at peace, and this was a cherished moment.

He didn't want to wake him, but he longed to see if the Messiah could heal him. He took his son to where the Messiah's disciples were and waited patiently. But as the minutes stretched out, he began to feel disappointed and discouraged. 

Was this another failed effort? Was there no one who could heal his child?

Just as the thought crossed his mind, he marveled at the appearance of the Messiah. "how long has he been like this?" He asked in a quiet tenor. 

There was something about his eyes and a compassion that made the boy's father speak. He began to cry and poured out the whole story to Jesus, and then he humbly asked, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." (Mark 9:22)

"If," Jesus raises an eyebrow, "Everything is possible for those who believe!" (Mark 9:23)

The boy's father falls to his knees. Somehow he feels more desperation than faith in this. "I do believe! Help my unbelief!" 

Jesus heals the boy then, casting out the demon. He returns him to his father's arms, and the two happily begin their journey home.

Jesus' words do not mean we can obtain anything we want if we think positively. Jesus meant that anything is possible if we believe because nothing is too difficult for God. 

The attitude of trust that the Bible calls belief or faith is not something we can obtain without help.

Faith is a gift from God. No matter how much faith we have, we never reach the point of being self-sufficient. Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing our trust in Jesus.

Reflection

What is faith?

How does faith in Christ transform me?

How can I tell when my faith is weak?

 How can I strengthen my faith?

Photo by Oktavisual Project on Unsplash