StrengthenSample

DAY 5: STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH

We are a people who walk by faith, and not by sight.

This means that as followers of Christ, we don’t just settle for the facts, but by faith we believe that God can turn any situation around. The facts might be that you have an unfavorable diagnosis in your body, but faith says that God is a healer. The facts might be that your marriage on the brink of disaster, but faith says that God is a restorer. The facts might be you have been stuck in a cycle of addiction, but faith says that God is a releaser. With faith, the facts never decide the end, God does.

There is a story found in Mark 9 of a father who is desperately looking for his son to be healed. After praying with the disciples, the breakthrough still has not come, and as a final resort, he is requesting prayer from Jesus. Jesus reminds him that all things are possible to those who believe, and the man replies, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief”.

I love this response from this father; it is raw, it is real and comes from a place that most of us can relate too. For the most part, we believe that God can do anything, but sometimes faith can be coupled with unbelief, uncertainty, and the mystery of the unknown.

It is in those moments that we need God to strengthen our faith.

When I do not know the answer, when I cannot see a way through, and when I feel like all hope is lost – “Lord, help my unbelief.” Give my faith strength. Help me to see how you see. And help me trust in your ways.

In Matthew 14, when Peter steps out of the boat and walks on water, Jesus labels him with little faith as he begins to sink. This seems so unfair, because to me, it seems like radical faith to get out of the boat in the first place.

But Jesus was pointing out a key truth. In the prior chapter, Peter had just witnessed Jesus feed over 5000 people, and not even a day later Peter is sinking in the water not trusting that Jesus can save him. When Jesus used the word ‘little’, Jesus was not referring to the size of his faith, but the stamina of his faith. This tells me that strong faith, is not about faith that is big, but it is about faith that lasts.

Like many stories we read in the bible, our personal story has been a series of faith steps. Not knowing what was next but trusting God with every step. Every time we trust, our faith gets stronger. Every time we believe, our faith endures. Over time, our faith begins to compound, and the muscle of faith starts to stretch. It is in that moment that we strengthen our faith to stand and keep standing.

QUESTIONS:

1. Is there a situation or circumstance in my life that feels impossible to see breakthrough?
2. In what area do I need God to help my unbelief?