Today I want to share my thoughts on the annual slogan with you.
“I believe – help my unbelief” Mark 9.24
This passage from the Gospel of Mark deals with a father who takes his seriously ill son to the disciples of Jesus to be healed. When these could not help him, he met Jesus. With his disappointment, he was faced with the decision of trusting Jesus and believing that healing was possible. He was torn and doubts and uncertainty overwhelmed him. He was a believer, knew Jesus and had seen and seen many miracles that Jesus had done. Still, thoughts of unbelief came over him. In desperation, he cried out to Jesus: “I believe help my unbelief”.
Faith and doubt are close together. I think we all know situations like this. Challenges, crises, sudden fate, illness or unheard-of prayers can raise questions and doubts. When in doubt, Satan wants to keep us from believing.
I think to doubt is human, but I shouldn’t remain in doubt and protect and preserve my heart from thoughts of unbelief and not let my belief be robbed. The father with his sick child did not let doubt win, he fought against him. “Help my unbelief.” He brought his doubts to Jesus and asked him for help. I cannot overcome doubts alone, I need God’s help and grace.
From the annual slogan I can read the following: Faith is a decision and a gift at the same time. I cannot produce faith myself, faith is given to me by God. Faith is a power given by God.
“Because God is so gracious, He saved you by faith. And that is not your own merit; it is a gift from God. ”Ephesians 2: 8-9
But to accept this gift and let myself be taken by faith is my decision. God first loved me and worked in my life and when I open my heart to it, recognize and accept his love, faith arises.
How can I strengthen my faith even in difficult situations, grow in faith?
Prayer: I can come to God in prayer and ask him to take the doubt away and to believe me. I can look at him in prayer.
“The God of Hope but fill you with all joy and peace in the belief that you will become ever richer in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit”
Let go and give away: Jesus says we should come to him with all our burdens and bring them to the cross. Doubts, worries or fears are also burdens that Jesus carried for you and me.
Gratitude and praise: I can remember what God has done in my life and what miracles He has already done.
“Praise the LORD my soul, and do not forget what he has done you good” Psalm 103: 2
Praise directs my gaze away from doubt towards Jesus.
Reading the Bible: The Word of God is a powerful weapon against doubt. I can read in it how great and almighty God is, for him nothing is impossible. I can make God’s promises against my thoughts of unbelief.
“Because the Word of God is alive and strong and sharper than any double-edged sword and penetrates until it separates soul and spirit, also marrow and leg, and is a judge of the thoughts and senses of the heart. “Hebrews 4:12
Worship: Preaching and interpreting the Word strengthens my faith.
“It remains: faith comes from hearing the message; and this is based on what Christ said “Romans 10:17
Intercession: I can ask my brothers and sisters to pray for me and to believe for me where I have doubts. How valuable it is to have people at my side who encourage and pray for me.
With this armor I can resist doubt and defeat it successfully.
We don’t need a big belief, just a belief in a great God. (James Hudson Taylor)
“If you have faith like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain: Get out of there!” And it will rise. And nothing will be impossible for you ”Matthew 17:20
“But the Lord said: If you have faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry fig tree: uproot yourself and plant yourself in the sea! And he would obey you ”Luke 17.6
Overcome doubts
Lesedauer 3 Minuten