February 1: Help My Unbelief

If you can’t fix this yourself, then who can? And what if you’re not sure you believe the answer?

A father brought his son to Jesus. The boy had suffered for years. The disciples had already tried to help and failed. By the time the father reached Jesus, his hope was worn thin. “If you can do anything,” he said, “help us.”

Jesus answered, “If you can believe, all things are possible.”

And the father cried out with one of the most honest prayers in the Bible: I believe. Help my unbelief.

He didn’t have perfect faith. He had a mix of hope and doubt, both at once. And Jesus healed his son anyway.

Step Two, as printed in 1939, reads: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” Notice the words “came to.” It describes something that happens over time. Nobody expects you to wake up with rock-solid faith on day one of February. The step only asks you to be open. Willing to believe. Willing to entertain the idea that help exists beyond your own strength.

January was about the problem. You looked honestly at what alcohol has done and admitted you can’t beat it alone. February is about the answer. If your own power ran out, a greater Power is the logical next place to look.

You may come to this step as a lifelong believer who feels far from God right now. You may come as a skeptic. You may come angry, or hurt by church, or confused. All of those are fine starting places. The father in Mark 9 started with “if.”

What matters is honesty and willingness. Tell God exactly where you are, doubt included. That isn’t a weak prayer. It’s the very prayer that moved Jesus to act.

Jimmy and Sarah in the Steps & Scripture app can walk through Step Two with you, question by question, at whatever pace you need.

One thing today

Write down, honestly, what you believe about God right now. Then write what you’re willing to believe. Both lists can be short.

A prayer

God, I believe, at least a little. Help the part of me that doesn’t. I’m willing to come to believe. Meet me where I am.

This month: Step Two.

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