5 Practical Steps to Transform Your Doubt into Faith

“Lord I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

I can’t tell you the number of times I have uttered these very same words. On the surface, it may seem a tad double minded – both a declaration of faith and a confession of doubt all in the same breath. But when you dig a little deeper, you find the heart of this cry.

There is more to the story…

In the gospel narrative, we learn of a child tormented by an evil spirit – tossed and thrown into hot burning flames and pools of water.  It is no wonder the child’s father sets out to meet face to face with the Healer from Galilee – the One he believes can save his son.

I imagine that as the father left his hometown with the child in his arms, his mind raced with a flurry of thoughts and earnest hope –

“My boy will be healed… restored…delivered once and for all”

“Giving up is not an option … I’ll do all I can to give my son a chance to live a better life”

“the Teacher will do it – I’ve heard of His wonderful works!

Yes. He believed his son would be healed by Jesus. But when he arrived, Jesus wasn’t there. Not losing hope, he begged the ‘other’ disciples to deliver his son of the evil spirit. And as the narrative describes, they were unable. In fact, quite a kerfuffle erupts as the fervent pleas of the father, the naysaying Pharisees, the failed efforts of the disciples and the crowd of spectators attract the attention of Jesus.

The father steps out of the crowd and says – “Teacher… I brought you my son… I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit. But they couldn’t do it” (Mark 9:17a). 

Yikes!

And Jesus’ response?

“You unbelieving people!…How long do I have to stay with you?” (Mark 9:19). 

Double yikes!

His faith faltered…

I glean that somewhere along the journey of this father, his faith took a hit. He set out believing his son would be healed – no if and or buts. But after being met with resistance from the naysaying teachers of the law and the failed attempts of the disciples, he lowers his expectations of the Healer.

“If you can do anything, take pity on us. Please help us” (Mark 9:22b).

But Jesus confronts his IF with an invitation to believe…

Everything is possible for the one who believes

Mark 9:23

Confession. 

I am ‘this guy’. I’ve been there. Believing and unbelieving at the same time. 

The struggle is real. 

But what I love about this heart cry is the deep desire to be rid of doubt and infused with faith. And who better to ask for help than Jesus.

When we bring our little to Jesus, He will multiply it. He is the One who gives us faith to believe and the One who gives increase of our faith. 

What a relief it is to know that the transformation of our faith is not merely of our own strength but Jesus is the author and perfecter of it. 

Even so, there are 5 practical steps we must take to transform our doubt into faith…

Step 1: Prayer

It always starts here doesn’t it? 

The best thing we can do with our doubts, fears, and concerns, is to bring it to the Lord in prayer. Jesus loves when we spend time in His presence, sharing our thoughts, concerns and desires. There is nothing you can say or do that will surprise Him. When we come before Him as we are, He meets us there full of grace, mercy, and love. 

I’ve shared snippets of the vision the Lord has placed on my heart (read more here). And while I believe that starting a home care agency and pursuing my RN degree is part of God’s plan for my life, there are other parts I wrestle with. So like the father in this narrative, I too cry out “Lord help my unbelief!”

The difference now, I spend way less time chastising myself for lack of faith. Instead, I ask the Lord to increase my faith to believe. Definitely, a much better response I’d say.

Step 2: Dive into God’s word 

Open your Bible and soak in the truths of God’s word. The more we do this, the more our faith will grow – “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

Within the pages, we are reminded of how BIG our God is. We learn that He does not change – He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is faithful and His mercies endure forever (Psalm 107:1). Nothing is impossible for our God (Luke 1:37) and all His promises are yes and amen in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, our doubts and feelings of being unqualified, unprepared, ‘un‘… you fill in the blank, fall away. Instead, Jesus becomes our confidence. Not our own ability or wisdom. He is the One who is able to do all the things in and through us for His glory.

Step 3: Take action

Once we have shifted our gaze upon the Author of our faith, and soaked in the truth of His word, we must bring it ‘alive’ in our life by ‘doing’ it. 

The Apostle James put it this way – “don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves”(James 1:22).

When I have taken hold of God’s word, believed it, and applied it to my life, my faith and passion to pursue the things of God has been the strongest. 

So when God says – “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all other things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33), I choose to believe and pursue the last thing He has shown me to do.

Or when He says -“do not be anxious about anything but pray about everything”(Philippians 4:6). I submit my cares to Him and in return receive peace that only He can provide.

And when He exhorts me to be filled with the Spirit and to “sing and make music from [my] heart to [Him], always giving thanks to God the Father for everything (Ephesians 5:18-19), I pursue an attitude of praise and gratitude. 

But hear me on this, ‘doing’ doesn’t come easy. My natural bent is to want to go my own way, worry, and complain about my half empty glass.

Fortunately, God’s grace abounds and his mercies are new every. single. day.

Step 4: Remember the goodness of the Lord

All throughout scripture, God directs us to remember. To write it down, to tell it to our children and their children’s children so we do not forget the great things He has done. This is not because He wants to be acknowledged for His good works but that we might keep a right perspective and knowledge of who He is.

The Psalmist sings – “praise the Lord, O my soul, in all my inmost being, praise His Holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:1-2).

When we remember how Jesus has shown up in the past to protect us, provide for us, minister His presence, and fill us with His peace, we are convinced that He will do it again. 

And this is where I pause for a praise break – hallelujah!

So make it a habit to write it down, take note of all your answered prayers, journal the things you are grateful for and encourage yourself in His goodness when doubt looms like a cloud of darkness. 

And finally, 

Step 5: Repeat

Do these things over and over again. 

Every day. 

Spend time in prayer, renew your mind in the word of God, take action and apply what you have heard to your life, and remember the many ways God has proven Himself faithful.

These are the steps that I am pursuing to transform my doubt into faith. Many of these steps actually form part of P.R.A.I.S.E – the journaling method I use to draw near to the Lord and discern His voice as He leads me in my Jesus led adventure. 

I do all of this imperfectly, but I’m trusting God to fashion me into a woman of faith that moves mountains.

And this is for you too friend. Let’s do this!