Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

This has been a painful stretch of time for the world. In the last few weeks we have seen multiple hurricanes, nations testing nuclear power, governments plotting to commit mass genocide, and unreached tribes in Brazil massacred. In situations like these, it is easy to ask, "Where is God?"

Last night, I was listening to music (as I always do while getting ready for bed) and the song "Mountain" by Jon Foreman came on. I encourage you to listen to it, it's wonderful! Anyway, there is a lyric in the song that says, " Lord I believe, help my unbelief." To those that might not know, this is taken from a story told in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus is in a crowd of people when a man brings his demon possessed child to Him. The rest goes like this...

20So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23“ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

                                                                                                         Mark 9:20-24

This is not the first time I have read this and thought about that last line before. How can one believe yet ask for help with his unbelief? If he believes, what is there not to believe in? There lies the answer! 

Many of us claim to believe in Christ and His power, but to what extent? So long as things are good? What about when things are bad? If you are like me, you have found yourself crying out to God for help with any number of things. You believe in the Almighty's power but yet we as humans still struggle to completely hand over our heavy yokes in return for his light one. "Lord, My soul knows you have the best in mind for me, help my heart and mind to believe." As we continue down this uncertain stream called life, let us all pray in tough times, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief!"