"On one occasion Jesus came upon a group arguing vehemently with His disciples. When the Savior inquired as to the cause of this contention, the father of an afflicted child stepped forward, saying he had approached Jesus’s disciples for a blessing for his son, but they were not able to provide it. With the boy still gnashing his teeth, foaming from the mouth, and thrashing on the ground in front of them, the father appealed to Jesus with what must have been last-resort desperation in his voice:
“If thou canst do any thing,” he said, “have compassion on us, and help us.
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
How often are we like this father, fervently pleading in prayer because we know we need the Lord's help? Likewise, how often have you felt the nagging thought whispering into the back of your mind, "Perhaps my faith isn't strong enough to receive this blessing?"
Maybe I'm alone in this sentiment, but I always worry my testimony isn't enough. After all, Peter was able to walk on water because of his faith. I can't do that. The Lord said if we have even just a little bit of faith, we could move mountains. I can't do that. Granted, these are extreme examples but the principle is still the same. Each month during fast and testimony meeting, I hear the same phrase repeated over and over again: "I know...I know...I know". How does everybody KNOW everything?? What's wrong with me, a girl who tries hard but often questions and on occasion doubts parts of the gospel? Lately, my testimony has been challenged due to controversial political and cultural issues. I absolutely hate that, and so I would get on my knees almost every night asking to "know" the truth. It seems somewhere in life I learned this unspoken (and untrue) rule: good Mormons know; they do not doubt.
But the father in this story had only partial belief. He didn't KNOW the Savior could heal his son, but he believed he could. In fact, he believed strongly enough to seek out the Savior and beg for his help. The father's DESIRE to believe was obviously apparent in his reply "Lord, I believe; help though mine unbelief."
And guess what? That was enough. The Savior healed his son.
This story is beautiful and teaches a very important lesson. Belief is a precious thing. After all, "faith like unto a mustard seed" is a TEENY TINY amount of faith. But it's potential for growth in unlimited. As for now, this seed can easily be blown away in the wind. When storms of doubt and other trials rain down upon us, our first job is to hold on tight to that singular seed.
ADSENSE HERE
Maybe I'm alone in this sentiment, but I always worry my testimony isn't enough. After all, Peter was able to walk on water because of his faith. I can't do that. The Lord said if we have even just a little bit of faith, we could move mountains. I can't do that. Granted, these are extreme examples but the principle is still the same. Each month during fast and testimony meeting, I hear the same phrase repeated over and over again: "I know...I know...I know". How does everybody KNOW everything?? What's wrong with me, a girl who tries hard but often questions and on occasion doubts parts of the gospel? Lately, my testimony has been challenged due to controversial political and cultural issues. I absolutely hate that, and so I would get on my knees almost every night asking to "know" the truth. It seems somewhere in life I learned this unspoken (and untrue) rule: good Mormons know; they do not doubt.
But the father in this story had only partial belief. He didn't KNOW the Savior could heal his son, but he believed he could. In fact, he believed strongly enough to seek out the Savior and beg for his help. The father's DESIRE to believe was obviously apparent in his reply "Lord, I believe; help though mine unbelief."
And guess what? That was enough. The Savior healed his son.
This story is beautiful and teaches a very important lesson. Belief is a precious thing. After all, "faith like unto a mustard seed" is a TEENY TINY amount of faith. But it's potential for growth in unlimited. As for now, this seed can easily be blown away in the wind. When storms of doubt and other trials rain down upon us, our first job is to hold on tight to that singular seed.
"In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited. In the growth we all have to experience in mortality, the spiritual equivalent of this boy’s affliction or this parent’s desperation is going to come to all of us. When those moments come and issues surface,...hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes."
Next, we must act. A seed will stay a seed unless we plant it, care for it, tend to it. Then, however slowly or difficult it may seem, it will grow. As such, addressing doubts and bringing questions to the Lord is as normal as weeding a garden or figuring out how often to water your plants. It is expected and normal because NONE of us are expert gardeners. In fact, some things we will never fully understand.
"[P]lease don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will...When doubt or difficulty come, do not be afraid to ask for help. If we want it as humbly and honestly as this father did, we can get it.
"[B]e kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you. ..Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work. As one gifted writer has suggested, when the infinite fullness is poured forth, it is not the oil’s fault if there is some loss because finite vessels can’t quite contain it all."
There is much I yet do not know. However, there are many things I believe and want to know. That's okay. It is human err to expect more from ourselves then even the Lord expects from us. He sees our desire to learn and understand. And just like the father of the afflicted child, our belief and desire is enough for him to work with. Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. NEVER get down on yourself because you sometimes doubt or because you can only "believe." Instead, be patient because we are children and children, like plants, need time to grow. All towering mustard trees of knowledge must start out as a simple seed of belief.
"In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know...[and]...in this world, everyone is to walk by faith. Hope on. Journey on. Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that BELIEVE.
