Unbelief. It can be such a struggle to really believe that Jesus can pardon ME and change MY character, heal MY life, and make me like Him, or do anything that He has promised in His word. But in the powerful story of the father whose son is demon-possessed and maniac, we are seen what is needed--complete honesty and utter dependence upon Christ. The father needed to believe Christ could give Him saving faith in Christ's complete power to heal his son, and look away from the weakness of himself to the infinite loveliness of Jesus and His power through the Holy Spirit to restore his son to wholeness. In a sense, I feel like I have been both that father and that son. I have wrestled with really believing that Jesus can really forgive MY great sins and make me a new creature, and, having passed through years of turmoil of depression and mania (bipolar), I am eternally grateful to God that He not only helped me to come to a saving faith in His power to forgive my sins, but also lifted the horrible terror of bipolar upon my life, so that I have been well from that illness by God's healing principles and the power of His word for 8 years! God loves to have us come to Him in our most desperate and "impossible" situations. Come to Him today and see Him do His work by His word in you as you cooperate with His grace!!
"'If Thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.' How many a sin-burdened soul has echoed that prayer. And to all, the pitying Saviour's answer is, 'If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.' It is faith that connects us with heaven, and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness. In Christ, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong. But many feel that they lack faith, and therefore they remain away from Christ. Let these souls, in their helpless unworthiness, cast themselves upon the mercy of their compassionate Saviour. Look not to self, but to Christ. He who healed the sick and cast out demons when He walked among men is the same mighty Redeemer today. Faith comes by the word of God. Then grasp His promise, 'Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.' John 6:37. Cast yourself at His feet with the cry, 'Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.' You can never perish while you do this--never." {The Desire of Ages, page 429, paragraph 1}