In the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9, a father asks Jesus to heal his demon-possessed son, tagging the request with the condition “if you can.” Don’t you think it is naive to question Jesus if he can kick out a spirit? Think about it. The man must have heard about Jesus’ miracles, and that is why he was seeking healing for his son. We do not know why he went to the disciples instead of Jesus, but obviously he had hopes that his son would be healed. Unfortunately, the disciples could not cast the demon out, so he comes to Jesus and pleads, “… if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus gently rebukes him, “If you can? All things are possible for one who believes.” Then the father blurts out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

The father’s desperate statement is a good example of an oxymoron, which is the combination of words with contradicting meanings; in one breath, the man expresses his belief in what Jesus is saying, and, in the next, he confesses his disbelief. Aren’t we sometimes like this man? We believe God can do anything, but we keep Him out of a situation we are dealing with because we are not sure “if He can”! We keep Him at an arm’s length away from our problem-filled relationships, finances, work, etc.

Thankfully, God does not rebuke us for being double-minded although, in James, we are told to stop having doubts. Can it be because Jesus understands our hesitation? Didn’t He ask God to change the eternal plan of salvation in the garden of Gethsemane? Jesus questioned whether going to the cross was the only option, but immediately after that, He asked that God’s will be done.

No matter how hard it is to believe that God can do a miracle in our lives, we should still ask. He already knows our limited span of reasoning. We do not see the world as He does. What cripples us leads Him to create beauty out of ashes. Let us go boldly to the throne and ask.

God bless you and your loved ones.

Meryem Kennedy