How Can God Help Our Unbelief?

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 

²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”  (Mk 9:23-24)

This father, who needed a miracle for his child, told Jesus that he believed but asked that the Lord help his unbelief.  What a contradictory statement, right?

The man had heard that Jesus was traveling around and healing people.  So, faith in what he had heard about Jesus motivated the father to find Jesus and to ask Him to pray for his son, who needed deliverance. 

However, the man realized that he needed Jesus’ help to believe that the will of God could actually be accomplished in his and his son’s lives.  Suddenly, his heart and mind were full of questions:  “Will this really happen for us?  Will God give us a miracle?  Maybe we’re not worthy?”

The reality of being human is acknowledging that doubts and fears attack us at the most inopportune times.  But we don’t have to listen to them! 

Here are some ideas for living as the overcomers that Christ intends us to be.  If you follow these suggestions, you will allow God to help you to defeat fear and unbelief.

• Knowing the Will of God Will Squash Unbelief – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17) As we read the Bible, our faith grows and increases.  Since this is the truth, read the Word of God daily.  Hang on to the promises of God by faith every single day.  Don’t give up and don’t get weary in reading the Word and in filling yourself with the power that resides within the Word of the Living God.
• Reject Fear and Put Unbelief on the Run – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God . . . (Phil 4:6) The Bible says that fear has torment and that perfect love drives out fear. (1 Joh 4:18)  The Word of God clearly says to RESIST the devil and he will flee from you.  (Jas 4:7)  Don’t be fearful or anxious; don’t open the door of your mind to the enemy of your soul.  He has no power over you because you belong to Jesus Christ. 
• Overcome Unbelief by Believing in God’s Love – And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (1 Joh 4:16) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 Joh 4:8)  Our God IS love—He says so in His Word!  Jesus loves each one of us perfectly and unconditionally.  His love for each of us should drive out every fear.  Don’t entertain fearful thoughts.  Fill your heart and mind with the Word of God as well as the assurance of God’s love for you, and then your faith will thrive.

These are some of the things that allow God to help you to defeat fear and unbelief.