Fear’s Breeding Ground
Help for Our Unbelief – Part 1

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:17-29

Key Verse: Mark 9:24

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

The title for this week’s devotionals is “Fear’s Breeding Ground.” The bottom line answer to this is our minds, which is where our faith must rule over fear. When we are facing tough issues that don’t have easy answers or seemingly no answers at all, faith is not easy. How do we deal with the fact that sometimes our faith fails and we feel defeated by fear? Our scripture passage for today gives us an example of that very situation. A father had brought his son to the disciples to be healed of what we would call epileptic spells. Jesus knew there was an evil spirit within this boy that needed to be cast out. The disciples couldn’t heal this boy and the father brought him to Jesus. However, the father made a statement to Jesus that revealed his lack of faith: “…but if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus rebuked this father by repeating his words back to him, “If you can” and then Jesus continued, “everything is possible for him who believes.” It is then that the father cried out for help: “…help me overcome my unbelief.” Jesus touched the boy and brought healing to his life.

Sometimes we need to simply cry out, “Father, please help my unbelief!” When we face situations that have us so troubled, so fearful that we can hardly pray, we need to simply cry out: Help! Our Father in heaven loves us so deeply that those simple words are all that is needed. We can rest in His love and ability to help us.

Father, I do believe but need help with lingering doubts that I can’t defeat…please help my unbelief! I will rest in your love and watch for you to work in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.