“I doubt, I do not have enough faith !”

Friday, 28 July 2023

“I doubt, I do not have enough faith !”

“As soon as the father of the child begins to shout : “I believe ! But help me, because I don't have enough faith !” Mark 9.24 Word of Life Version

A well-known evangelist cried out one day, in front of a huge audience who stood up to applaud him : “If you doubt, it is because you do not really have faith !” This is perhaps one of the worst statements to shout at Christians whose faith is wavering. Strange way to encourage our brothers and our sisters who suffer or who doubt ! Admitting doubts is one of the most difficult subjects for many Christians to face. When CS. Lewis, one of the greatest defenders of the Christian faith, published in 1961 his book Grief Observed he did not dare to publish it under his real name but preferred to hide behind a pseudonym. When, after his death, the book was published under his real name, eminent critics wrote that it was unthinkable that an author of such powerful faith could have revealed in this way the depth of his doubts about the personality of God, after the death of his wife. Know, however, that in doubting you are not alone. Even John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, the “voice of the one who announces the coming of Christ” fell under the blow of his doubts, sending his disciples to ask Jesus if He was indeed the Messiah ! If you doubt you must accept yourself as “normal”. Doubting your faith is not a sin. In this text from Mark we see a grieving father who asks Jesus to heal his son. He wants to believe in the miraculous power of Jesus, but at the same time he fears being wrong. "I believe. But help me because I don't have enough faith !” Faith is not a sweet feeling of assurance growing in you. Faith can be brutal sometimes! Doubt is not the opposite of faith, but often the sign that it exists. If you doubt bring your faith to light, check its foundations. Is it built on the rock that is Jesus ? Check the promises of Jesus, take comfort in the assurance that He will return and that His words are sure and sure. God is faithful. He has no interest in your faith collapsing. God is good, even in the difficult times we all go through. Dare to shout if necessary : “I believe, but help me because I do not have enough faith” !

Source (His Word for Today)