I love this interaction between Jesus and a man asking Him for help with his son possessed by a “mute spirit.” He said that it “seizes him, throws him down, he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid.” Mark 9:18

First, it’s funny to me that the man calls out the disciples, saying he asked them to cast the spirit out, but they couldn’t. Jesus replied, “Oh you faithless generation! (Oh snap! 😳)
He told them to bring the boy. After some discussion on how long it had been going on, and how it had thrown him into the water and into fire almost killing him, the father said to Jesus, “But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

Ahem… If? IF I can?? Jesus replied, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23
Did you catch it?

IF you 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰.

Jesus responded with, IF you 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦.

I love the father’s response, because he realizes he is struggling with believing it’s possible.
Sometimes, when you’ve been dealing with something for so long, as desperate as you may feel, it has still become the norm, so you lose hope that it can change. The father cried out through tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
We don’t serve a genie God that poofs and grants every wish we have, but we do serve a mighty, generous God that does want good things for us. Some things we do have to walk through in order to grow, learn and shape us into the version of ourselves that aligns with the plan and purpose God has for us. BUT He does want us to have a child-like faith. He wants us to believe and expect great things from Him, and understand and believe what He’s capable of.

Lord, please help me overcome my unbelief 🙏🏼