Help Me With My Unbelief

I was talking to one of my friends a while back. She’s had a deep desire that God hasn’t fulfilled, and it's left her feeling like He isn’t coming through for her. At first, I didn’t know exactly what to say to her. So I thought about what she would say to me. The truth is, she would tell me that God would come through for me, and she would believe it wholeheartedly.

However, she doesn’t seem to believe it for herself. Our conversation made me realize that I have felt the same way. If I'm honest, I've often found it easier to believe that God will show up more for others than He will for me. Why do we believe that God will come through for others, but not for us? Sometimes, it may feel like God cares more about others, or that He wants to help them, but not us.

Why is it so tough to trust God for ourselves in the same way we do for those we love and care about? I wonder if you've ever felt this way, too. Maybe you need a new job, but it hasn't happened yet. You’ve watched countless friends get new jobs or succeed in their careers, but it hasn’t happened for you. Or perhaps you've been diagnosed with a life-changing illness. We sometimes believe He can heal our friends, but not us.

I wonder if we feel He won’t heal us because we don't believe we are worthy?

1 Peter 1:19-20 says,

¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰ He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

This means that before the world was created, Jesus knew he would have to die for our sins. Before we were created, he knew he would die for you and for me. Let that sink in.......

Jesus Christ laid down his life for all of us. Let's stop believing the enemy's lies that God doesn’t love us enough to come through for us. What Jesus did on the cross proves how much He loves us, not just those around us. He has already come through for us in the biggest way.

So, what can we do when we are stuck believing that God isn’t going to come through for us?

I think back to the Bible story in Mark, chapter 9, where the man's son was possessed. The man asked Jesus to heal his son, if he could.  When he asked Jesus to heal his son, Jesus didn’t reply, "No because you are sinful and you aren’t good enough.” Not at all. Instead, Jesus replied, “If you can? Everything is possible for the one who believes.” The father replied, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”

This man wanted to help his son and had seen some terrible things. Jesus told him that everything is possible for the one who believes. Remember that God can do in us and through us what we believe He can do for others. 

When things don't work out the way we want, it can be hard to remember that God's timing is always right, even if it doesn't match our expectations.

When I feel that God isn't showing up and I am lacking in my belief, which is often, I try to do a few things to strengthen my faith.

• I reflect on the times God has shown up in my life.

• I read Bible stories where God has shown up for His people. There are stories throughout the Bible!

• I pray and ask God to help me with my unbelief, just as the man in Mark. Tell God how you are feeling. He will listen.

Whatever you do, don't give up on God. I have Galatians 6:9 written in my office. It says, " Don't give up! God will see you through it." He will see you through whatever you are facing!

So if things aren’t happening when or how you would like them to, remember who has your back: God is faithful. Remember the One who knows the future and knows what is best for you. 

Try repeating this verse to yourself whenever you need to be reminded that God is working for your good.

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” These words aren’t just for those around us; they apply to us as well.