By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
We live in a world that tells us “seeing is believing.” But is that really accurate? I suppose it depends on the lens with which we view life—the worldview lens or the biblical lens.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).
According to Jesus believing before seeing is the crux of the Christian faith.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
I remember first learning that I was pregnant with our daughter. Although the obstetrician told me I was going to have a baby, the reality of a little person growing inside me didn’t really resonate until I saw the tangible signs of pregnancy, my belly swelling and feeling our daughter kick for the first time. And even with that evidence, being a mom didn’t seem real until I held our baby girl in my arms the first time.
Although I finally had tangible evidence of motherhood after delivery, motherhood was no less a reality the nine months prior.
I believe God would like to get us to the place of believing before we see, based on the truths of His Word.
Thomas was a man who needed proof to believe. When Jesus finally revealed Himself to the disciple he told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
Are we taking God at His Word, or are we waiting to see proof of His promises first?
Perhaps you have a long standing prayer, one that has not yet been answered. Is it possible that God is waiting for you to fully believe before He answers your prayer?
Whether we are seeking physical healing, spiritual wholeness, or freedom from bondage, doubt and unbelief are the biggest obstacles we face.
“Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done” (Matthew 21:21).
“Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you’” (Matthew 9:29);
Jesus asks us to take Him at His Word and believe His promises are true. Like the bleeding woman who was finally freed from her suffering, Jesus longs to whisper those same words to our hearts, “Your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (Mark 5:34).
When we believe without seeing, our joy will be complete, our peace will surpass all understanding, and our spirits will made new.
Keep praying and moving forward as if it has already been accomplished. “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:22).
Believing is seeing!
