Mark 9:23 (New International Version): “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Did you read this verse, and think, “but I don’t have faith.”
Did you know that Peter also had moments when his faith failed? He had moments of doubt too. Do you remember that portion of Scripture where Jesus walked to the boat on water, and Peter saw Him from afar? Peter asked if he could come to Him walking on the water too, and what happened?
Matthew 14:28-31 (New International Version): “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter doubted too, and it caused him to sink beneath the waves, but who was the One who reached out to catch his hand and rescue him from the waves? It was Jesus. So you see, you may lack faith that He will rescue you, but your lack of faith will not render His promises null. This is the reason why:
2 Timothy 2:13 (New International Version): If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Your lack of faith cannot make God disown His promises to you. And what are His promises to you?
John 10:10 (New International Version): The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version): For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
But now, you may ask, where does faith come from? If He said that everything is possible to the one who believes, then where can I get this faith?
This verse answers that question:
Romans 10:17 (New International Version): Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
When I read this verse as a babe in Christ, I used to think, “oh, this is like a transaction in a toy machine. I put a coin in, and out comes a prize.” I thought that those two things didn’t have a link, but that it was like a ritual we were supposed to perform to get faith. But I was wrong.
I also used to wonder, “why did God allow this pain?” I couldn’t help but feel doubt in my heart that if He loved me, I wouldn’t be feeling this way. Why does God allow the storms in our lives? He told me the reason why:
It’s so that we find Jesus in the middle of it.
Jesus is the Son of God, and the Father’s greatest treasure. He is also God Himself, who did not spare Himself for us. Why does knowing this matter?
Because knowing that God already made the biggest sacrifice for you is enough to quieten every storm. Because you realise that no storm can overwhelm you.
Romans 8:32 (New International Version): He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
This is how you get faith. By meditating on this verse. Faith comes through the hearing of the word of Christ because when you ruminate on the fact that God gave everything He had for you, you come to the realisation that you have nothing to fear. You realise that He will save you from every storm, just like He saved Peter. It doesn’t matter if you lack faith, He will still pull you out of that storm.
Mark 4:39 (New International Version): He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
So build your house on this Rock, because you know that God will never leave nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (New International Version): Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Matthew 7:24-27 (New International Version): “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Have faith by practising on the truth that God will not withhold anything good for you. He already made the biggest sacrifice for you, so He will continue to make every other lesser sacrifice.
Trust that God can deliver you!
Map to the series:
Part 1: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/1-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 2: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/2-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 3: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/3-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 4: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/4-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 5: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/5-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 6: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/6-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 7: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/7-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 8: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/8-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
(FINAL) Part 9: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/9-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
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