When I Doubt
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24, ESV
What are your doubts? And don’t say that you don’t have any because that would not be an honest statement. We all have doubts of some kind. There were moments from August 2025 to April 2026 that I doubted I’d ever walk again without pain. I persisted and I’m almost there. But I had to tell my doubts they weren’t real though some days felt like a brutal war zone. The battles were painful but I did not give up. Now, there are skirmishes on new fronts, but again, I will not quit. I am worth fighting for!
Even in the midst of our doubt, we still believe. We know that God is our Creator, Refuge, Refiner, Healer, Fortress, Friend, and so much more. It’s just that doubt we have—you know, that one certain thing. All the rest we believe and know to be true.
Why is it that we spend so much time focusing on that doubt?
Can’t you see the enemy sneering and hear his harsh voice whispering in your ear? “You say you believe but you can’t be sure, can you? Your faith is worthless. If you truly believed, as you claim this would be a breeze. You’re not as great as you think you are!”
Most can identify with the father who deeply loved his possessed son. Regardless of the boy’s diagnosis, a parent loves the child and wants the best possible outcome. We can be pretty sure that the father had tried all kinds of treatments but to no avail. Running from doctor to doctor, reading Google and AI information, we wear ourselves out and then ask, “Why? What more can I do? Can I trade places with him? I know You are the Healer, so can’t he be healed?”
The father says, “But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” (Notice the plural pronoun us.) Probably with a wrinkled brow and raised eyebrows, Jesus asked him, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes!” The dad had faith but also that one doubt and he addressed it. “I believe, heal my unbelief!” Jesus did.
Perhaps we should be including this in our daily prayers because I think doubt creeps in more frequently than we let on.
Lord Jesus, thank You for helping us to confront our doubts. Let us always come to You in prayer. AMEN.