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Today I am asking myself the same thing the disciples asked in Mark 4:41. “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Sometimes in my rush to get the “job” done, thinking it all depends on me, I forget that we serve the One who is even obeyed by the wind and the waves. Do I limit what God can do in this broken and depraved world?

I know that God is limitless. There is no person or situation that is beyond His power. But there is one thing that can hinder His power from flowing through my life and the lives of others—unbelief.

Mark 6:1-6 records a time when Jesus returned to His hometown and preached in the synagogue. Many who heard Him were amazed at His teachings. But others were offended. They were willing to accept Jesus as the hometown boy who had “made good,” but they could not accept Him as their Messiah. The story of His visit ends with this sad comment: “[Jesus] could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith” (v. 5-6). Unbelief prevented an outpouring of God's blessing.

Most of us would never stand up and say out loud, “I don't believe God.” But unbelief often shows up in our lives in more subtle ways.

I demonstrate unbelief when:
• I think I can never change.
• I tell God I am too old, too young, too inexperienced, or too ill- equipped for what He is calling me to do.
• I act as though God doesn't know what's going on in the world and He doesn't have a plan to fix it.
• I forget God is in the business of calling people to Himself so I don't invite others to outreach events or share my faith with them.
• I think it all depends on me.

So how do we overcome unbelief? The place to begin is to acknowledge the struggle between doubt and faith. We want to believe, but we need help. The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith—and that is a good prayer for us as well. Like the father who sought healing for his son, we can pray, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).

Then we must recognize our total dependence on God. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). We must give up our own self-efforts and, in humility, admit we can accomplish nothing of eternal significance without Him.

Who is this One who stills the surging waves and quiets the howling winds? It is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the Limitless One. Let's believe and follow Him!