Seeds of Faith

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:20

How much faith do we need to see miracles in our lives?

Jesus himself said we only need faith the size of a mustard seed. That’s not very much faith to see God do amazing things!

I know so many people who are struggling with their faith. Maybe they once had a strong faith, but life has been hard. They’ve seen pain and devastation, and they’ve begun to wonder where God is. They find themselves doubting God.

Or maybe they’ve had a prayer that seemed to be ignored by God or even worse. They expected one outcome and experienced the exact opposite.

Or maybe they’ve been hurt by the Church. They’ve experienced abuse at the hands of the leadership. They’ve had a church turn against them in the midst of painful circumstances, just when they need love and support more than anything else.

Or maybe it was just other Christians who heaped pain upon pain. Christians who made them feel less than because they struggled with their faith. Christians who felt the need to bring judgement and arrogance instead of love.

Maybe they’ve tried to completely surrender to God only to find nothing changes. Maybe they’ve begged to hear God’s voice only to be met with silence. Maybe they’ve just grown weary of trying to do things right in this life only to be devastated yet again.

This life can definitely take a toll on our faith.

I’ve been there. I tried to walk away from my faith in the midst of my divorce. After all, God hadn’t shown up to save my marriage, to answer my prayers. My “reward” for following God faithfully was a cheating spouse, untold pain, and unexplainable heartache. Why would I continue to follow God when my life was crumbling before my eyes?

And yet, no matter how hard I tried to run from God, I couldn’t seem to escape. There was something inside me, something reminding me who I was–His child.

That was the mustard seed of faith I needed.

How did I find my footing again? Build a faith that can move mountains?

I started with surrender. I will never forget falling to my knees in the bathroom floor, crying out to God. “Lord, I don’t want this journey, but if this is what you have for me I will take it. Just don’t let my pain be in vain.”

That moment stands out in my mind so vividly. It was a genuine cry to God. I had come to the very end of myself, and I knew He was all I had. I somehow knew He was also the answer to my devastation, all I needed. I sensed that I was in His hands, and I was safe.

In the days to come, I was able to take small steps toward God. So small they might be immeasurable by some. It started with listening to praise music, music that soothed my soul and spoke to me. Gradually I began to read the Bible. Small bits, but it was a step in the right direction. Eventually, I found myself back, slowly gaining my footing as my mustard seed began to take root and grow.

And what about you? Do you find yourself trying to run from God but there’s something inexplicable that won’t let you leave completely? That’s your mustard seed of faith. That’s God holding tightly to you, chasing after His one lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7).

Maybe it’s time to surrender, to truly let go of your fear and go all in. Maybe it’s time to ask God to take that mustard seed and help it take root. Maybe it’s time to fall to your needs in surrender.

I asked Him to help my unbelief. I’ve always loved the father who came to Jesus, seeking healing for his child. He asked Jesus if He could heal his son.

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Jesus responded (Mark 9:23).

The man’s response? “I believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

Immediately, the boy was healed (Mark 9:25).

Here’s the thing: God understands when our faith is weak, and loves when we ask Him to help our unbelief! It’s one of my favorite prayers.

Lord, I need a miracle in my life. Help my unbelief.

Lord, I need a miracle in my finances. Help my unbelief.

Lord, I need a miracle in my child’s life. Help my unbelief.

Lord, I need a miracle in my marriage. Help my unbelief.

The truth is my faith is often weaker than I want it to be. I want to have a faith that puts me in the Hall of Faith. But sometimes–often times–I find myself in the same shoes as this father, asking God if He can heal, can restore, can change.

And that’s when I have to ask Him to help my unbelief.

Fortunately, it’s a prayer He always answers.

I watched Him change my life. It didn’t happen overnight. It wasn’t one fell swoop. It was slowly. One small step at a time. I watched as my heart began to soften. I sensed His presence in the midst of my pain. I felt Him wipe my tears as I cried out to Him. I heard His sweet voice whispering that He was with me, that He saw my pain. I knew He was with me, weeping over my pain, putting me back together and on my feet for good (1 Peter 5:10).

Over the years, God truly changed my life, gave me strength I had never known. He drew me closer to Him than I had ever been, experiencing His love in fresh new ways. He carried me through the darkness and gave me an incredible new life.

And I know He wants to do the same for you. What does it take to move the mountains in your life?

Only a mustard seed of faith.