WRITTEN BY: Kelsey branderhorst
So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” - Mark 9:21-24
In our toddler years, we learn the word why, and for some reason, it becomes a question to ask about everything:
The sky is blue
Why?
You can’t have dessert till after dinner
Why?
It’s bedtime
Why?
Why becomes the driving force of child development that helps a toddler begin to make sense of the world around them. By asking the question aloud, they invite answers and own their space in this giant and overwhelming thing called life. We all need to ask questions, reframe our worldview, and challenge our presuppositions. The difficulty is that asking questions leaves space for doubt from time to time.
When it comes to faith, asking questions feels even more daunting. Trusting God is a brave and bold adventure, but doubt can live right on the other side of the wrong answer or the wrong question. If we spent time around a church or around people in church, we could often hear that we need to let go of doubt and just trust God, which builds a sense that doubt is an act of defiance.
Here’s the deal, we were created with minds and reason on purpose. Jesus had specific moments where he asked the disciples to trust him, but more often than not, he fielded questions and inquiries with great humility and grace. Jesus invited people in as they unpacked their doubts. Jesus wanted people to wonder. Jesus invited questions. Jesus spent time letting people touch the holes in his hands and side to debunk the doubt. Jesus wants to remove the anxiety attached to doubt.
Our question becomes, do we use doubt to run away, or do we invite doubt to draw us close? When doubts shut us down, we lose sight of God’s hope for growth and community with Him and others. When doubts draw us to God, we have an opportunity to grow deeper in our relationship with Him and in our understanding of how we fit into the world. Let’s lean in. Let’s draw close. Let’s ask questions and pursue His answers. Let’s drop the stigma of doubt. Let’s pursue more of Him.
One of the greatest hopes behind doubt is seen as Jesus is talking with a man who has come with a very sick son. The man goes to Jesus, and his response is one we can pray daily:
“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Praying Through Doubt
“Father, I am in awe of your vast knowledge and your incredible goodness. While I know you know all things, I do not. I have questions, doubts, and concerns. Will you please guide me as I learn to ask questions even when they are hard and trust you above all else for answers. Allow my unknown to be a space to grow in my love and hope in you. When I don’t have answers, help me not to panic but to see it as an opportunity to lean into you. I can never know it all, but I can know you. Lord, I believe in you; help my unbelief.”