Pastor's Column 9/24/2023

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” He answered. “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.” “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.” Mark 9:21- 24, NIV

“Learning To Cancel Unbelief!”

When the line between belief and unbelief becomes narrow; it can greatly affect the effectiveness of our faith. This concern is more prevalent than we like to admit. In our times, and in the sacred pages of Scripture, we find instances where people of great faith succumbed to doubt and consternation in a moment of crisis. A season of trial can take its toll on any of us. Our human nature is triggered toward a degree of doubt when we’re confronted with situations beyond our control. I remember years ago when I was a college student, a very gifted professor of clinical psychology and trauma therapy telling students; we should remain calm and use the tools we were being taught to bring order to a given crisis. It was not long, that a young woman in the class fell out of her seat; her body convulsed violently, and she went into full cardiac arrest. In that moment, the professor who had advised us, ran out of the room, with arms flailing, and created more chaos than order. In the end, the young woman died, and the professor had been of no help. It appeared to us, she really didn’t put into practice what she believed and taught. We had no doubt, the professor believed in the concepts she had embraced, but in a crisis her belief and practices were incongruent. They were worlds apart. A distraught man sought the help of Jesus, when the disciples failed to heal his son from convulsive seizures. He told Jesus his plight because he was aware of His ability to heal. But when the man asked Jesus for help, he spoke tepidly, with some reservation. Jesus questioned the man’s hesitation, and he confessed there was a disconnect between his belief and trusting Jesus completely. We should all seek to grow beyond this aspect of human behavior. In acknowledging where we are weak; we can relinquish unbelief. We can gain greater maturity in faith.