Growing in Faith Devotion #23  – A Struggling Faith

Scripture: “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” – Mark 9:24

Examination: Jesus is approached by a father whose son has been possessed by an evil spirit. Jesus tells the distraught man that if he has the faith, it will be done. The father then cries out, asking Jesus to help his struggling faith, and then Jesus heals the child.

Application: Most likely, everyone can name at least one occasion when their faith has wavered. When circumstances seem overwhelming despite our petitions to the Lord, our faith can often begin to weaken. For example, serious illnesses that linger, broken relationships that are not mended, loss of a job or promotion, the death of a loved one…these and many other situations can seriously test an individual’s faith.

Those out-of-control situations draw us to God and implore Him to intervene, but if He doesn’t respond in the time frame we desire or in the way we want Him to do so, our faith can suffer. Since we cannot avoid unpleasant circumstances in our lives, how can one’s faith be strengthened to navigate these times successfully?

Unfortunately for many of us, we’ve got the idea that if we show even the slightest bit of fear, worry, concern, sadness… you name it…, we have little faith in God and are poor testimonies to others. Not so!! The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”  How can we fulfill this directive if no one ever shares their burdens! When we start worrying about what others will think of us if we show a “weakness” in our faith, we have another issue to deal with, and that is pride. Romans 12:15 states, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” We’re usually pretty good about doing the first part of this verse, but the latter means we have to be vulnerable and let others see that we are hurting and in need of emotional support.

Christians are not called to suffer in silence. I Peter 4:16 reminds us, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” When we share our struggles with others, keep our eyes on Christ, seek God’s guidance through prayer and reading the Word, God is honored and glorified through our obedience.

As always, the answers to how our faith can be strengthened can be found within the pages of God’s Word. Here are a few directives to help us move toward a stronger faith that overcomes adversity in our lives.

• Trust God. When you can’t see the answers you seek, continue to trust God. He has a plan and a purpose for everything He allows in our lives.
  • “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
• Keep praying. Don’t quit sharing your fears, worries, broken heartedness, etc. with God.
  • “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” – Luke 18:1
• Stay in the Bible. The Scriptures are full of wisdom and direction to help our faith grow.
  • “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17
• There is a divine plan for you. We may not know His exact plans for us, but He has a divine purpose for each of us.
  • “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11

To strengthen our bodies, we must feed it healthy food, exercise regularly, and keep our minds focused on positive things every day, not once or twice a week. The same goes for our faith. In order to strengthen it, we need to feed it with the Word of God, exercise prayer regularly, and keep our minds focused on things above every single day. One day a week just isn’t enough to put muscles on your faith!

Memory Verse: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” – 1 John 5:14

Stretching your thoughts:

1. How does guilt or the fear of judgement factor into a Christian withholding sharing their struggles?

2.  How does becoming vulnerable make you feel when it comes to sharing your heart with someone?

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past;
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.

(from “Be Still My Soul” by Kathrina von Schlegel)