What is Faith?
"I Believe... But I Need Help with My Unbelief!"
What is faith, really? At its core, faith means complete trust—not just saying you believe in something or someone, but actually living like you do.
Spiritually, faith is believing in God even when you can’t see everything clearly or explain it with logic. It’s deeper than feelings. It’s the quiet confidence that God is real, God is good, and God keeps His promises.
“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.”
Scriptures Focus: Mark 9:14–24
Have you ever whispered, “God, I believe You… but something in me still doubts”? If so, you’re not the only one. Faith can be messy and complicated. It’s not always the clean, confident version we see posted on social media.
In Mark 9, a father brings his suffering son to Jesus. He’s desperate, overwhelmed, and unsure. He prays what might be one of the most honest prayers in all of Scripture:
“Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
This wasn’t a man trying to impress Jesus with perfect faith. He was simply being real. His words speak for many of us:
“I’m trying to trust You, Lord, but I’m scared. I’m holding on, but my grip is weak.”
And guess what? Jesus didn’t shame him. He didn’t require flawless belief. He responded with grace and power—because honest faith is still faith.
Faith Involves Both Your Brain and Your Heart
Faith isn’t just a feeling or a thought—it’s both. There are two essential parts of faith:
🧠 Intellectual Assent: Believing something to be true. (Like believing a chair is strong.)
💖 Trust: Actually relying on that truth. (Sitting in the chair.)
With God, you might believe He exists—great start!
But real faith is saying, “God, I’m not just believing in You. I’m depending on You.”
Faith Begins With God (Ephesians 2:8–9):" Faith is a gift, not something we earn or achieve. You don’t work your way into faith—it’s grace from the beginning.
Faith Requires Belief & Trust (John 3:16 & James 2:19): Even demons believe God is real—but they don’t trust Him. The difference is surrender.
Faith Produces Good Fruit (James 2:26): We’re not saved by works, but true faith shows up in how we live. Abraham believed—and obeyed. Rahab believed—and acted. Real faith moves, serves, gives, and obeys.
Faith Requires Endurance (2 Corinthians 5:7): Faith doesn’t ignore pain. It just believes God’s promises more than our problems. We walk by faith, not by what we see or feel.
Faith Leads to Change (Matthew 21:32): True faith leads to repentance—a turning away from sin and a new direction toward God. It’s a shift in your heart, your habits, and your hope.
What If I Still Have Doubts?
Simple answer? You still have faith.
The father in Mark 9 proves it: “I believe—help my unbelief.” That’s not weak faith—that’s honest faith.
Faith is not the absence of doubt. It’s choosing to trust God even while your doubts are screaming.
The disciples had faith… but in this moment, they failed. Why? Because they were relying on yesterday’s faith. But faith is like manna—it needs to be fresh. Yesterday’s faith won’t unlock today’s doors.
Doubt often sneaks in when:
Prayers feel unanswered 🙏🏾
We’ve been disappointed 😞
We start comparing ourselves 🧍♀️↔️🧍♂️
We forget who God really is 😔
But Jesus reminds us: “What do you mean, ‘If I can’? Anything is possible for the one who believes.” — Mark 9:23
God answers our doubt with truth: “Remember who I AM.” Because His word and our past reveals that He is:
The Healer
The Provider
The Deliverer
The Way-Maker
What Do You Really Believe?
The word for unbelief in the original Greek is "ἀπιστία" (apistia)—it means distrust or lack of faith.
So when the father cries out to Jesus, “Help my unbelief,” he’s not contradicting himself. He’s confessing: “I trust You… but there’s a part of me that’s still scared. Help that part.”
So how do we overcome unbelief?
We Take Inventory – Look back and see what God has already done.
Focus on the Unseen – Let God’s promises be your lens, not just your circumstances.
Suit Up – “Take up the shield of faith…” (Ephesians 6:16) because faith protects you from the lies of the enemy.
You may be walking through a storm. You may feel unsure, overwhelmed, or in the dark.
But faith looks up and says: “God, I still believe—even when I can’t see.”
It's Time to Take Action
This isn't just about believing—it's about living by faith. So today, let’s respond:
Ask God: “Help me overcome my unbelief.”
Repent: Turn from the places where you’ve been relying on yourself.
Trust: Put your full weight on God’s promises.
Faith isn’t just something you say—it’s something you live. And the best part? You don’t have to do it perfectly. Just honestly.