“‘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 9:23-24
The word "doubt" carries its negative undertones and implications. Sometimes doubt can be a good thing. Even if uncomfortable, it can make us appropriately wary and watchful. On the other hand, for our human side, doubt does not generally sit well with us. In most cases, our senses reject doubt as a sign of something wrong. In other words, a lack of confidence or assurance in something.
In many cases, if we have doubts, we can move ahead cautiously. But when it comes to our faith, that one doesn’t work. It feels like the Lord expects us to have complete and strong faith. That is what the Bible teaches anyway. Or does it?
We first read about Biblical doubt as early as the Garden of Eden, and Satan drove the doubt. God had given a clear command regarding the trees in the garden, and specified the consequences of disobeying that command:
And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” - Genesis 2:16-17
Yet Satan raised doubt. “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Then, upon Eve’s response about God’s words, the evil one added, “You will not certainly die.” I can see him now, leaning against the tree to prove his point. Doubt is absolutely one of the tools in Satan’s bag of tricks to make us question – doubt – God’s word. But we cannot lay all of the blame at his feet – we, too, are guilty of many of our own doubts.
We need only compare the rather distinct differences in the responses of Zechariah and Mary when visited by Gabriel in Luke 1. While their questions to Gabriel seem similar, there was clearly doubt in Zechariah's heart and acceptance in Mary’s heart. Zechariah doubted God’s ability to deliver on the promise Gabriel delivered. Mary did not.
How about us? When we pray, do we doubt that the Lord can deliver on His promises? Or maybe we’re doubting that He even is listening. As that doubt grabs hold, it can bring us deeper into the depths – into the realm where our doubt can overshadow our faith or at least push it to the side. We begin to allow our human reason to cause us to question God’s role in our lives. And yet – no matter the human logic behind our doubts, God has made foolish the world's wisdom.
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? - 1 Corinthians 1:20
When Doubt and Faith Collide
It is not news that faith means trusting God even when the idea goes against human reason or arguments. Even so, throughout Jesus’ ministry, He encountered doubt from those hearing His words. Even John the Baptizer—Jesus’ own cousin—had to send two of his followers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one? Have I placed my faith in the wrong one?”
John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” - Luke 7:18-19
Let us remember that this is the very same John who identified Jesus as “…Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29-34) How did John go from assurance to asking if Jesus was the One? Answer – his circumstances. John was being held in a Roman prison and was soon to be executed.
Of course, we cannot forget the man who became so famous for his doubts at the resurrection of Jesus that it earned him a nickname that would stick with him forever – Doubting Thomas. Yet, when Jesus received word about the death of Lazarus, it was Thomas who spoke up in strength to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16) Poor Thomas, as his name has become a cliché synonymous with doubt. Yet in all of these, no one questions the faith and devotion to Jesus of John the Baptist or Thomas.
Then we come to the man in Mark 9, whose son was possessed by an evil spirit. As Jesus came down the mountain from His transfiguration, the man approached Jesus, explaining that he had asked the disciples to drive the spirit out, but they were unable. When Jesus asked for the boy to be brought to Him, He asked the father how long the boy had been like that. After answering, the man asked for Jesus’ help: “If you can do anything take pity on us and help us.” Jesus did not seem to be taken aback at all at the man’s doubts or lack of faith. He replied, What do you mean, if I can? Then this - “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Worth repeating Jesus’ words. “Everything is possible for the one who believes.”
Immediately, the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
The man’s answer was a statement of faith and doubt – contradictory feelings mixed into one in the man’s heart and mind. The man believed and hoped – otherwise, he would not have brought his son to Jesus. He had asked some disciples to cast out the spirit, yet they could not, perhaps causing some doubt. On the other hand, would Jesus be willing? Was Jesus really who He proclaimed to be?
Faith and doubt are strange bedfellows, for sure. Yet, it is pretty sure that most Christians have been able to identify with this man at some point. We must sometimes recognize in our lives that our faith is far from perfect and turn to the Lord and ask Him to strengthen that faith. Our doubts seem to intermingle with the faith we still know and feel. But…sometimes we have to ask, “Lord, help me to have even more!” I do have faith! Help me to have even more!” - Mark 9:24 CEV
What to Do When Your Doubt Feels Bigger Than Your Belief
Immediately following Jesus' driving out of the demon, the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t do so. What was Jesus’ answer?
“Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” - Matthew 17:19-20
So often, it feels like my faith must not be even the size of a mustard seed, as I wonder if my prayers will be answered – or if God is hearing me. Prayers that remain as yet unanswered – and I wonder if it’s my inadequacy of faith driving it. It is important to remember, though, that the boy’s dad could not deny the doubts he had and had already expressed, albeit not directly. But Jesus clearly knew the doubts were there and saved the man’s son anyway. And therein lies our answer.
While faith and doubt may sometimes co-exist within us, as challenging as it may sound, the remedy for doubt is faith. It is clinging to that which we know to be true. To what we have heard, as the author of Hebrews put it:
Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. (v. 2:1)
When we come to salvation in Christ, we acknowledge our inadequacy. That admission, that surrender, allows God to work in our lives. We are all inadequate sinners; thus, we realize our need for salvation and ask for forgiveness. Similarly, we can recognize our inadequacy in faith—that our faith is imperfect. The admission of our weakness, coupled with our faith, allows us to turn to the Lord and ask Him to strengthen us where we are weak. And he does so.
Just as a baby changes its diet from milk to solid food, so must we grow – and continue to grow in our faith. We come to Christ as spiritual babies, growing and being nurtured in our faith – our sanctification. This analogy, of course, is taught by Paul in his letter to the church at Corinth, and again, in Hebrews (5:12-14).
Paul recognized that the Corinthians were still baby Christians, not yet ready. Many baby Christians have been saved, yet remain babies. They have not grown spiritually in their relationship to Christ. We cannot grow to be adults if we continue on a diet of milk. Personal growth in Christ—abiding in Him—is a commitment we must each make.
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? - 1 Corinthians 3:2-3
Trusting God Even When the Outcome Is Unclear
As we mature in Christ, our faith continues to grow, and our doubts continue to fade. Those doubts may never evaporate, but perhaps we can recognize them for what they are and turn to the Lord. Turn and ask Him, submit to His will, and believe that He will help us overcome whatever doubt we may have.
Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3? Yeah, those guys. When they were thrown into the flames, being watched by hundreds of Nebuchadnezzar’s men, they didn’t back down from the king. They knew that God might not save them from the flames. Was that doubt? Well, they were not convinced that God would keep them from burning – but they still refused to give in to the king.
"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
We will all face moments or circumstances when we lack enough faith to continue. At those moments, let us remember that even the strength of our faith comes from the Father. Let us turn to Him, realizing that it is His work in us that strengthens and renews us and enables us to overcome any doubts or any faith smaller than a mustard seed.
As with everything, we can ask God for what we need. We can ask Him to strengthen our faith to overcome whatever doubt we might be having. That statement, that request, is the faith that we need. Knowing He is there, and He will help us—one way or another. Maybe not as we are asking or as we expect, but He will be there.
“I believe; help my unbelief” is first an absolute statement of our faith and an admission that our faith is far from perfect and that we need His help. Like Paul, we can then boast in our weakness because that’s when He is strong.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. -2 Corinthians 12:9
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AaronAmat
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
