All things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23)
All of us face troubles at some time that are out of our control. What you do while you wait on God shows where you stand in your faith.
In Mark, Chapter 9, we read of a father who had a son possessed with a spirit. The disciples were unable to cast it out so the father brought his son to Jesus and implored him saying, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus answered, “If You can? All things are possible to him who believes”. The man then cried out to Christ and said, ” I do believe; help my unbelief!”With that, Jesus then commanded the spirit to come out of the boy and to never enter him again,”
How many times do we present our requests to God only to take them back and try to work them out ourselves when it seems like the answer is taking too long? The truth is that the timing of God is always perfect even when it appears that it may be too late. Just because you can’t see what God doing in your struggle does not mean he is doing nothing! It only means his plan is higher than yours and it has a greater outcome. The suffering in the life a believer has a deliberate, divine purpose to bring you to a greater knowledge of the God you serve. When you suffer through a painful trial, keep in mind that God knows it. He saw your situation long before you were born and He is with you to the end. You are never without hope if you believe. That is a promise Jesus died to give you.
The Apostle Paul went through many fiery trials and persecutions yet he never lost sight of “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 3:14) He knew that all he had to endure was getting him ready for eternity with Christ in a Kingdom that is beyond our understanding. For that reason, he learned how to be content in the good times as well as in times of need.
Waiting on God’s timing can stretch your faith to the limit. A nineteenth-century Christian Pastor named, John MacDuff asked the question regarding waiting on God when he said, “Christian, what is your duty?“. He wrote that with God, “It is to trust His Heart – even when you can’t trace His hand; believing that ‘all the paths of the Lord and mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies'”
I have a friend who was blind from birth. She never saw the sun or the sky or any colors, yet she didn’t let that keep her from believing God still had a plan for her life. She worked hard and became a highly respected teacher who touched many lives. Although she was blind, she trusted her life to Christ who showed her more than her physical eyes could ever see. She understood that life’s momentary afflictions were producing an eternal weight of glory that far surpasses any suffering. We are to look not at things that are seen but at things that are unseen. What we can see is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. That is real faith in action.
Whatever struggle you are experiencing, there is a way to stay in the peace of God. The man who wanted Jesus to heal his son knew he needed help with his unbelief. Remember, he had heard that Jesus healed others, but there was doubt over whether he would help him. That was his unbelief. We all face times of uncertainty and it is hard to always believe that God is going to help you. The fact of the matter is that it is God’s promise to help you no matter what you endure. His way of helping may be different than what you think is good, but the answer is always perfect for believers who put their faith in Christ. All things must line up with God’s eternal purpose for your life. And isn’t that what you really want?
Jesus died to leave us His unfailing peace no matter what battle we are in. All you need to do is to surrender daily your struggle, your pain and your unbelief to Christ and ask for his help. He already knows your weakness. His strength is yours for the asking.
Jesus, I want to believe. Help my unbelief!
Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free;
Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be.
My will is not my own till Thou has made it Thine;
If it would reach the monarch’s throne
It must, its crown resign. By L.E. Maxwell
17 comments
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March 10, 2020 at 8:34 pm
Anonymous
Thank You so much..
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March 10, 2020 at 11:15 pm
Marianne Bernard
Thank you, my friend, for taking the time to comment, I will be keeping you in my prayers
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March 11, 2020 at 12:33 am
Faith
Hi! Oh my goodness, I have been thinking and praying for you so much as you have not written in awhile…how are you? I have been concerned….your post speaks so much. This life is so very difficult…especially for believers. Thank you for this. Why is it so hard? Are you ok? I am truly concerned…I know I do not know you, but I pray for you always…I am so very thankful for you….though I feel I will never be better, I am so happy to have received your post🦋thank you 💕
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March 11, 2020 at 9:36 am
Marianne Bernard
Hi Faith, God bless you, dear sister for your encouraging note. I have been going through a lot of struggles in my own life and learning to trust that God is in control. Everything I write comes from my heart and it is a testimony that God is true to his promises no matter what you are suffering from. His plan for you won’t fail, dear Faith! As he gets ready to return for believers, trouble is increasing as the enemy knows his time is short. Do not give in to any of his lies. Don’t let the distractions of your problems make you think that God has forgotten you. My sister, God used you this day to lift me up! With God’s help, I will be writing more of the truth of his love and mercy. We need to remember as the battles in life increase that God’s help and mercy also increases. You may feel that you will never be better but that is not true. You have a destiny planned by God before the world began and the gates of hell cannot stop the future Christ has for your life. I am praying for you, Faith. YOu can email me anytime you need to talk. I always have time for a friend and I care about you. Be strong. Let the truth of Christ rule in your heart.
Memorize 2 Timothy 1:12 and let what Paul said give you hope: “For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me”. You can’t fail, my sister and you are never alone. Thank you for your prayers. I love you, dear friend.
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March 11, 2020 at 11:33 am
Brigitte Rosales
I just read Faith’s comment and your response (as well this lost) and I am so blessed by these words this morning. I don’t think we ever truly realize the extent of which we bear fruit. Yet here I am, a stranger, repeating your words to several of my sisters in Christ who are struggling today. Bless you both, sisters! Let us continue to be reminded that we are surrounded by A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES…we are never alone.
Thank you again, for edifying me this morning. Great post! Yes He is able. This is awesome…2 Timothy 1:12…yes we will go with that one today.
May His will be done.
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March 11, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Marianne Bernard
Thank you, Brigitte. How blessed I am to hear how you are sharing with several of your sisters in Christ the truth of God’s love and mercy! I always pray, whenever I write a message, that Christ will bring to my site the ones for whom he wants to know that they are not alone in their struggle. As the days grow shorter and evil increases, we need to encourage one another and to edify each other in the faith. You have done that for me, Brigitte. I know that none of us is alone in our battles. God will always bring to us those who we need to help us bear our burdens. I will be praying for you, my sister. May you walk in the peace of Christ no matter what your circumstances. For you know that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love him. The devil himself knows that your future is secure so you must know that also. The truth sets you free and that truth is that God’s promises are very real and he will never fail. My love and prayers are with you.
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March 17, 2020 at 1:56 am
MUGERWA GODFREY
Reading such inspirations is just a mark of excellence and a platform to understand how awesome the LORD leads us to know Him through vessels of inspiration and willing servants like you. May the spirit of the Lord keep manifesting to you to inspire and motivate lives to understand the kingdom.
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March 17, 2020 at 6:25 pm
Marianne Bernard
Dear Mugerwa, How I pray you are doing well, my brother. You have always been a source of encouragement to me and I count you a blessing. Please give my love to your wife and children. May God bless you and the work you do and may he keep you safe in these times of uncertainty.
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March 25, 2020 at 8:45 am
Jeremy B. Strang
Hello there sister! I have not been on your page in some time. I would love to catch up and see how things are going for you and where you are at in life. Feel free to reach out to me. If you cannot find my email address, send it to me through my site at: http://www.HeGivesGrace.com Blessings and look forward to hearing from you as the Lord should allow. Jeremy
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April 4, 2020 at 6:40 pm
Onaji Ogwuche Simon
My dear sister in the lord, it had being a while, in fact I had being on a look out for your post but I feel disappointed when I couldn’t find any because it gives me a lot of hope and sense of belonging whenever I go through them ( I mean your post ). Thank God you are back. Thus, I pray for God’s mercy, power, and strength on your part to enable you do more I Jesus name.
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April 4, 2020 at 6:47 pm
Marianne Bernard
Dear Onaji, Thank you for your encouragement and it does my heart good to know that you are praying for God to enable me to keep writing. There is so much I want to share but I need God’s help. You gave brightened my day, dear sister! God bless you. Stay in peace and may God bless and protect you and your family in this time of trial.
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May 9, 2020 at 7:32 pm
Brenda Newkirk
Thank you Marianne, so glad to hear from you, I have been praying for you and love you my sister in Christ..I asked for your phone number through the church, but never got a response..so glad I got this post, it has warmed my heart with Jesus love!
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May 9, 2020 at 8:48 pm
Marianne Bernard
Hi Brenda, it is so nice to hear from you!! I miss everyone so much and can’t wait to get back to church. I pray you and Ralph are doing well. I appreciate you stopping to comment on my site. Hope to see you soon.
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February 24, 2022 at 1:37 pm
Kristi Ann
Thanks so much Sweet Sister in JESUS-YESHUA CHRIST-MESSIAH Marianne and Great Post!!
( Psalms 119:105 KJV ) “Thy WORD is a LAMP unto my Feet and a LIGHT unto my Path”!! Sing Glory Glory Hallelujah and Maranatha Amen Everyone!!
Love ❤ Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
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February 24, 2022 at 5:32 pm
Marianne Bernard
Thank you, Kristi Ann! It is always so nice to hear from you and your encouragement brightens my day. God bless you, dear sister.
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October 21, 2022 at 4:11 am
Lay Cistercians
Great article! I hope you continue writing religious content because it may help others to be enlightened about God. Life is tough, but if we trust God, we cannot see things in a complicated way. Let’s choose to be thankful for all we have.
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October 29, 2022 at 7:40 pm
Marianne Bernard
Lay Cistercians, Thank you for stopping and taking the time to leave a note of encouragement. God will never fail those who put their trust in him. The days grow darker but the strength of Christ will take you through every battle. I am praying for you, dear friend.
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