“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 NIV
I believed that I had faith until faith was all that I had left. I believed that God would do miracles until a miracle was the only thing that could help me. I learned that you can believe that you believe until your belief is tested. Then you realize that you never knew what it meant to believe in the first place.
His son was under the power of dark forces. He told Jesus, “If you can do anything…” He believed enough to take his son to Jesus, but he was still doubtful. Did he doubt Jesus’ ability or His willingness? Does it matter? Jesus saw through his words. Jesus ability or willingness did not need defending. The uncertainty dwelt within the man’s heart. “Everything is possible FOR ONE WHO BELIEVES.” The man’s response seems contradictory. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
This was me. I believed, but never really believed. I never believed that I would be tested beyond my own strength. I never believed that Jesus would step in for me if my strength was no longer sufficient. I believed that, as long as I proclaimed my belief and helped others with theirs, God would never press the issue. And then the storm hit, and darkness followed. I found myself crying out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
This is where faith grows. It grows at the end of your rope, beyond the reach of your strength, outside your capacity of understanding, on the path after the sun has set and you cannot see what is ahead. Then you realize that faith is not faith until it has been tested. When you find yourself there, stay on the path and keep believing. Jesus will meet you there. He will light your way.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12
Words Lived 