And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” – Mark 9:21-24 (ESV)
As I read these verses, I had so much respect for the father who was able to acknowledge his spiritual weakness and ask for Jesus’ help to change his heart to one who believes in spite of the circumstances.
I imagine that this father lost hope. His son had dealt with an unclean spirit since he was a child and the disciples had just failed at an attempt to cast out the spirit. This was personal, it was something that was likely hard for him to see his son go through and not be able to do anything about it. Yet in this vulnerable moment, he asks for Jesus’ help not only for his son but for his personal spiritual journey.
I began to wonder how many of us have also lost hope. Maybe you came into 2018, believing Jesus for something miraculous; yet it is now the middle of October and you’ve lost hope that it will indeed come to pass.
I believe Jesus knows our heart’s desires and knows that we are human and get weary in our waiting but I want to encourage you to be vulnerable and ask Him to help you in your unbelief. To help you in the moments where you struggle to believe that He can do what He has promised. I believe He will honor that moment and provide the hope needed to keep standing and believing on what He says is true.
Father, thank you that you can meet us where we are. Thank you for understanding how our doubts can get in the way but Father help us to be an overcomer from doubt and seek you to help us through those moments so that we will continue to stand on your promises; regardless of the circumstance. Amen