Read the full story in Mark 9:14-29

 

     Who among us hasn’t spoken the words of the father in Mark’s story? “I believe; help me with my unbelief” (Mark 9:24, NRSV).  These are words of honest desperation. In reality, the father is saying, “I believe you can heal my paralytic son, Jesus, but there’s a part of me that has its doubts.”

     Faith and doubt are uncomfortable partners. They enjoin themselves in the deepest reaches of our souls. Throughout our lives, we have been taught that doubt is the opposite of faith. If you have your doubts, then you truly don’t believe.

 

     However, the Scriptures have a different understanding of faith. Faith is action-oriented. Faith is a verb. Faith is obedience with feet. Given such a definition, doubt, then, is not the opposite of faith. Disobedience is faith’s antagonist.

 

     The story is told of a young girl from Macedonia named Agnes. Agnes sensed a call from God to travel to India. As she rode the train to Calcutta, Agnes felt an overwhelming sense of fear. A disturbing thought entered her mind: “What if I heard wrongly? What if God isn’t calling me to go to this faraway land?” Doubt continued to haunt Agnes as she drew closer to her destination. Then, a wave of peace overcame Agnes. In her heart, she heard these words from God, “I am with you.” Agnes Bojaxhiu, also known as Mother Theresa, completed her travels to Calcutta and began a mission to the homeless that became known across the globe.

 

     If doubt lingers in your mind today, take comfort in the knowledge that you are among good company. Who knows? God just may use your doubt to strengthen your faith.

 

Prayer

 

Lord God, I am limited by what I can see before me. Grant me the gift of faith to not only trust you but to obey your call on my life. Through Christ I pray. Amen.