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Two friends meet for coffee. "I don't know what to do," says one. "That job, it wasn't the best but at least it paid the bills. Now I'm months behind. I've sent out resumes, but nothing. I can't even get an interview." Helplessness filled the space between them. "We're going to lose...everything."
Wanting desperately to give some comfort, the other replies, "You've just gotta have faith."
There's an old saying about commitment---"The road to hell is paved with good intentions." If all we have are good intentions but never do anything, there is no devotion to God. If there is no devotion to God, we cannot claim Christ as Lord. And if Christ is not our Lord, good intentions will not save us.
There's another side to this saying. When we do not know how to encourage one another but instead are satisfied with our good intentions, we can make another person's life a living hell.
Consider that advice, You've just gotta have faith. The good intention is to help someone focus on God, His power, authority, and love. It's used as a subtle reminder of His promise that everything works togetherfor the goodof those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Yet often the message received is not one of hope, but of failure. The silent judgment rings clear---You don't have what it takes. You lack faith. There's something spiritually wrong with you. With good intentions the advice was given, but as though the solution were as simple as flipping a switch.
Faith is not an all or nothing deal. There are degrees. Some have great faith, others need theirs to grow. Situations affect us differently. We may have strong faith in God working through "us", yet less in Him using "me". Faith may stand firm as "we" face challenges, yet falter when "I" could lose everything.
One of my favorite passages in the Bible involves a father whose son has violent seizures, leaving him unable to speak. The Disciples can do nothing, so the father desperately begs Jesus for help.
"But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" And Jesus said to him, If You can? All things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief." Mark 9:22b-24
Jesus didn't suggest the father had no faith. He didn't belittle him. He merely spoke the truth. All things are possible to him who believes. Then the father replied, I do believe; help my unbelief. Sounds contradictory, doesn't it? "I believe, but I don't." But believe and unbelief refer to different things.
Believe, the Greek word pisteuo, means to have an assurance in the existence of someone or something. But disbelief, the Greek word apaistia, goes more to the issue of trust. What the father was admitting to Jesus was, "I am sure you are a Man of God; help me trust you fully."
Faith involves belief and trust, assurance and conviction. As each element grows, our faith becomes stronger. All of us experience doubt, fear, and uncertainty. But if we will admit our weakness, as that father did, we can trust God to strengthen our faith.
And when your brothers and sisters are weak, control your words and do not judge. Build them up. Encourage them. And remind them:
You are not a failure. You have faith. God will make you stronger through this, though the way at times may be difficult. Trust in God. Trust also in me. I will stand with you. | 
