“When Faith and Doubt Intersect”

Can I profess to be a believer but at the same time struggle with unbelief?  The answer is yes.  In the Bible we find the story of a father who brings his son to Jesus to be healed.  His son has suffered since childhood---so we assume he now is a bit older but still in the care of his father.  Most people agree that this boy must have had epilepsy.  When the father brought him to the disciples they prayed over him expecting that he would be healed.  But this time they seemed to be in over their heads. They prayed and laid hands on him and spoke the Name of Jesus but nothing changed.  

We hear Jesus say, “bring the boy to me.” Now we expect to see some action. We expect to see things get better-- instead they get worse. The evil spirit in the boy sees Jesus and throws the boy into convulsions. He is completely out of control. Things only get worse.  

This got me to thinking.  We sometimes mislead people by telling them if they just come to Jesus their lives will be immediately better. Fact is they may become more difficult. Friends and family may not understand. It may bring tension to your job because now you have Biblical standards you live by. We think we are immune from illness and tragedy and trouble as believers but instead things get worse and we don't understand. Our faith collides with our questions and we walk away empty. Ever been in the ER with someone you love and the doctors just keep asking questions? And we're thinking, quit asking questions and do something!!!  Here's Jesus ..... the boy is having a convulsion, down on the ground, foaming at the mouth. Jesus calmly asks, “how long has he been like this?” All the time this whole scene is growing more tense.  Finally the father says to Jesus “if you can  do anything, take pity on us and help us.” I love the response of Jesus here. He says, “if you can?” It’s like, “sure I can.  Are you kidding?” Is the Pope Catholic? Is Billy Graham a Christian? Is a fire truck red? Does Taylor swift write songs about breaking up?  Jesus says, “Of course I can.”   Jesus said EVERYTHING is possible for him who believes.

Listen to the father’s response. He says “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” Ever feel that way? Part of you believes. Part of you doubts. Part of you says yes to God. Part of you says I’m not sure. Part of you has faith. Part of you is afraid. And when faith and doubt collide it can be a dangerous place to be because some of us will choose to just walk away. But a faith that is never questioned is not worth having.

Can we have faith and still have doubts at the same time? Absolutely. The good news is that when we face up to our doubts, when we allow faith and doubt to come together, that is when we actually give God room to do only what he can do.

In Africa there is an animal called the Impala.  They can jump as high as ten feet and as far as 30.  You can find them at the zoo where they are often kept in an enclosure that is only 3 to 4 feet high.  So you wonder, why don’t they jump out?  It’s simple.  They can’t see what is on the other side of the wall. They will not jump out because they can’t see where their feet will land.  We’re the same way.   

Never fall into the belief that we must have every question answered, know every step we are about to take and understand life completely.  At least 3 things are important here.  (1) Be honest with God about your doubts.   God is big enough, smart enough and confident enough to deal with your questions. (2) Get to Jesus asap.  Hurry to Jesus.  Of all the things we need to get in a hurry for, Jesus should be at the top of the list.  (3)  Let your doubt push you toward Jesus, not away from Him.   Don’t ever let doubt destroy your faith.