All of us have experienced doubts in our lives. We want to believe, but in the back of our mind is a nagging doubt. You’re not alone – Jesus met a man who desperately wanted to believe, but he felt plagued by his doubts.

The man had a son who was troubled by a spirit that would throw him to the ground and he would foam at the mouth and then became stiff.  He hoped that Jesus’ disciples could cast out the spirit, but they were unable to do so. We may face situations in our lives when hope seems to grow dim and our doubts increase. The boy’s father came to Jesus and requested His assistance,

It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us! (Mark 9:22)

Jesus identified the source of his doubt – “if you can do anything.” The issue is not can Jesus bring healing, the question is, “Is it God’s will to bring healing?” There may be times when God does not bring the healing we request then we must rely upon His grace. The Apostle Paul implored the Lord three times that his thorn in the flesh might be taken from him. God did not take away his thorn in the flesh, but God gave him His grace:

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast [about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Sometimes God brings His healing touch and other times God brings His grace. Jesus challenged the man’s view of God showing him that nothing is impossible for God:

But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)

Many doubts stem from wrong thinking or a lack of thinking rather than too much thinking. Therefore, he pleaded, not only for his son’s condition, but also for doubting Jesus’ ability:

Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

We must realize that our doubts can insidiously undermine our faith in God. Therefore, we must honestly face our doubts and bring them to God. Our doubts can be a way of deepening our faith in God. Francis Bacon remarked, “If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end with doubts, but if he will be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties.”

We may be doubtful about our abilities, but we must not doubt God’s goodness and ability. We must not doubt in the darkness what we know to be true in the light. Charles Spurgeion enjoins us not to dwell in the “cottage of doubt,” but choose to dwell in the “mansion of faith.”

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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