Help My Unbelief: How to Overcome Doubt and Increase FaithSample

Day 6: Moved to Mercy

Yesterday, we briefly mentioned the father of the demon-possessed boy and how Jesus responded to his honest confession of belief mixed with doubt. That mercy is again displayed when Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on water towards Jesus but started sinking as doubts crept in. Jesus didn’t let him drown to set an example for the other disciples! He lifted him up and asked “Why did you doubt?” (Mt.14:31).

On other occasions, the rest of the disciples doubted too. Even though they had seen the multiplication of bread and fish, when they encountered another hungry crowd, they doubted again! Twice Jesus multiplied food for crowds, and twice they doubted.

Jesus takes note of those who believe without seeing, “...Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). He knows that seeing miracles and wonders does not guarantee belief—we must choose to believe. Confessing our lack of belief, but declaring our decision to believe is an act of faith that moves our Gracious God to Mercy.

Another example is the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17). God chose a woman who had no one to sustain her, to supply for the prophet Elijah during a famine. At the beginning of the story, when Elijah finds her, she has already lost all hope of surviving. She was gathering sticks to cook one last meal for her and her son and then “die.” Elijah asked her to give him food first and she believed his words and did what he asked. That small act of faith moved God’s Hand in her favor. The little bit of flour and oil she had did not run out for the duration of the famine.

After the famine, her son died, which led the woman to doubt and complain against the prophet. She had been witnessing a daily miracle for three years, which might make us think her faith would increase every time she reached into the jars and kept finding flour and oil. But as her circumstances changed drastically and she faced an even more impossible situation, the death of her son, she doubted. Her humanity and suffering made her doubt and react with desperation.

Yet, she found Grace anew. Her action of coming to God and the prophet moved the Lord to mercy, and He raised her son back to life! Then she concluded, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.” Lesson learned.

As we walk with Jesus and desire to grow in our faith, we will go through experiences like these. God answers a prayer and we are ready to conquer the world. But when hard times come and we don’t see a tangible answer from Him, will we still believe He is Sovereign and in control? Or will we shake our fists up in the air and yearn for Egypt? As our faith matures, we need to learn not to let circumstances dictate our belief in what God has said, but to trust despite our doubts and brokenness.

What Can We Do?

When trials and uncertainties come, there are several things we can do to help keep our focus on Jesus and not on what we don’t understand. We can:

- Choose to believe (Heb.11:6)

- Remember what He has done before (1 Chr.16:8-12)

- Read, internalize, and listen to Scripture (Rom.10:17)

- Praise God and study His Promises for our lives and remember specific Words He has spoken over us (Ps. 103)

- Fast, pray, and ask our brothers and sisters in Christ to intercede for us, especially when we are too exhausted to even pray

Those are some of the ways God has provided for us to build up our faith and hope in His Words.

One of my favorite prayers in the Bible came from an impossibly hopeless situation King Jehoshaphat and the Israelites encountered. There were several kings who joined forces to fight against them. They were greatly outnumbered and the logical outcome was certain death for all of them. Period. However, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast for all Judah and they sought the Lord.

As he finished his prayer, he said, “...we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chr.20:12).

My friend, I have been there so many times, with hardships surrounding me and not sure of what to do. But when it’s hard to sing “You are never going to let me down...,” when I lift my eyes to the heavens, I experience the Loving Mercy of my Father, and enough Grace to see me through another day. And that Grace is available to you too. That call from the Lord to grow in intimacy with Him in the middle of your valley is an opportunity. An opportunity to grow in faith and to experience the Salvation and Provision that only He can provide.

As Jehoshaphat and the people prayed, the Spirit of the Lord came upon a Levite, Jahaziel, and the Lord spoke through him saying, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you” (2 Chr.20:15b, 17).

The next morning, they marched, singing and praising the Lord for the splendor of His Holiness. As they sang, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies and they destroyed one another. When the men of Judah arrived, all the soldiers from the enemy’s armies were dead! Not only did they not have to fight the battle, but the plunder they took was so much, it took them three days to collect it. All because they chose to believe God’s plan and instructions, and walk onward with praise.

I can imagine that was not easy. A lot of them might have been thinking, “Our plan is to face this army singing? What kind of plan is that?” They probably thought they would be mocked for their “strategy.” But nonetheless, they chose to believe God’s Words and keep going with their concert. Because of that decision, they saw God’s Glory and Power, and in the end, called that place the Valley of Berakah, or blessing.

In our valleys, God gives us a wonderful weapon: worship. It may seem simple, but truly all He asks us is to worship as we walk, believing Him. He wants us to trust Him no matter how many armies come against us. He will fight for us. He will turn our valley into a place of blessing.

Something beautiful and unexpected that happened in my desert was that God gave me new songs. It had been over a decade since I sang or played guitar, but in my darkest nights of brokenness, my soul uttered prayers in the form of songs that I never imagined I would write. One of those songs speaks about my struggle with unbelief. For months, Tanto y tan poco became my constant prayer and worship.

When you don’t have words or desire to pray, sing. Listen to worship music, go to your secret place and sing to the top of your lungs, lift your eyes towards our Father, and watch Him fight for you. His Spirit will renew your strength and you will be able to leave the burdens you carry in His Hands and find peace for your soul.

Meditate

• Are you able to pinpoint any fears that are feeding your unbelief? For example, a physical need, fear of death, disease, etc.
• How can you leave those fears at the foot of the Cross?
• What are you listening to lately? Music that inspires faith? Sermons?
• What songs encourage you to trust in God?
• How can you add more praise and worship to your life?

Prayer

Father, I confess that I often feel like Jehoshaphat, not knowing what to do. But my eyes are on You. You know what surrounds me and that I can’t find a solution to my problem. Today, I decide to trust in You, to obey any commands in Your Word that apply to my situation, and to leave the rest in Your Hands. Fill me with Your Presence as I sing and worship You. I trust that You will fight for me. In the Name of Jesus, my Savior and Defender, Amen.