Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

 

Faith.

I have it.

I believe in what I believe.

I am sure of my hope.

I am certain of so many things I will never see.

Yet, there are still things I doubt even though

 doubt seems like a bad word.

A word for skeptics.

A word for those of “little faith.”

I don’t doubt God’s ability to carry me through every good and every bad day,

but I doubt my ability to always act as if I believe He is there.

I don’t doubt God’s love for me,

but I do doubt my ability to always show that love to the people around me.

I don’t doubt God’s grace and mercy,

but I do doubt my own heart when I hold a grudge or am quick to judge others.

I don’t doubt God’s longing for all mankind to know Him,

but I do doubt that all mankind really wants to know Him.

I don’t doubt that He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it,

but I do doubt that some of His “good work” longs to be completed.

I don’t doubt that he who sows in tears will one day sing songs of joy,

but I do doubt that in my tears I will always choose to sow.

I don’t doubt that God can bring good from all things,

but I do doubt what kind of good can be found in some things.

I don’t doubt that God is close to the brokenhearted,

but I do doubt that the brokenhearted will always feel His presence.

I say all of this because faith in one sense is easy and in another sense is very hard,

and I think the devil just loves to convince us that any kind of doubt is worthy of  feeling faithless.

Deep inside, though, even on my most doubt-filled days,

I know the devil’s wrong.

He is called the accuser for a reason.

The one who steals, kills, and destroys.

He may very well enjoy most the days we find ourselves doubting anything the level of our faith.

I believe God, on the other hand, allows room for doubt in all of our hearts,

because I’ve found in my times of deepest questioning He is closest by my side.

I love the story in Mark where the dad asks Jesus to heal his son and in his request says,

“If you can…..”

Jesus gently replies,

 ‘If you can’?”

 “Everything is possible for one who believes.

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

I love that Jesus was able to handle the father’s struggle to believe.

I love that He didn’t walk away at the word, “If”.

Today, you may find yourself in a season of “if.”

If only………

If He would just…….

If He could………

If I could………….

Ask God to help you with your unbelief, because in your crying out to Him, you’re showing that you do believe He’s still there and He’s still listening.

That’s really all it means to have faith.

He doesn’t walk away from the word, “if”.