Everything is Possible for the One Who Believes
Mark 9:23–24, NIV “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!
Our culture likes to embrace the power of positive thinking. If you just think positively about your situation everything will work out ok. It prevents us from having stress, anxiety, worry, but is positive thinking enough or are we just fooling ourselves? Jesus shared with a father whose son was overcome by an evil spirit, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” If taken out of context it would be easy to think he was saying we just need to believe in ourselves and everything is possible. However, Jesus was referring to belief in him and what he was capable of doing. Do we truly believe that everything is posssible with Jesus? That he can and will do whatever it takes to bring his kingdom to come on earth, including healing, booting out the demonic and evil, reconciling broken relationships, providing for us, and protecting us, even in the bleakest of situations? The fathers response is appropriate and helpful, “I do believe, help me overcome my disbelief.” We need to apply whatever faith we have (even as small as a mustard seed, Matthew 17:20) and ask for more. Not only did Jesus answer the fathers request/prayer by healing his son and casting out the evil spirit, he built this father and son’s faith so they would have a deeper trust in Jesus and his power. If you are going through a trying time or situation which seems beyond anyone’s ability to help, don’t just think positively, pray and trust Jesus to do what only he can do. Apply the faith you do have in him, believing that he has the power and ability to heal, deliver, protect, provide for your situation. What step of faith do you need to take? Where do you need more faith? Ask for help with that too.