How can we strengthen our faith to avoid disbelief like in Acts 12:15? Setting the Scene: Acts 12:15 “‘You are out of your mind,’ they told her. But she kept insisting that it was so, and they said, ‘It is his angel.’” (Acts 12:15) The praying believers could not accept that God had answered their prayer so quickly and dramatically. Their disbelief in the face of a miracle reminds us how easily doubt sneaks in, even among sincere followers of Jesus. Recognizing Why Disbelief Creeps In • Focusing on circumstances instead of the character of God (Matthew 14:30) • Forgetting past deliverances (Psalm 106:7) • Limiting God to human expectations (Ephesians 3:20) • Allowing fear, fatigue, or grief to cloud spiritual vision (Mark 5:35–36) Practices That Grow Robust Faith • Daily Scripture intake – “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) – Read, memorize, and meditate so truth saturates the mind. • Consistent, specific prayer – Pray expectantly, naming needs as the early church did for Peter (Acts 12:5). – Keep a journal of petitions and answers to trace God’s faithfulness. • Remembering God’s past acts – Rehearse personal testimonies and biblical accounts like the Red Sea (Exodus 14) or Jericho (Joshua 6). – Celebrate milestones to cement confidence for future trials. • Choosing obedient action before feelings catch up – Noah built the ark “by faith” (Hebrews 11:7). – Step forward on God’s instructions even when emotions lag behind. • Cultivating fellowship with faith-filled believers – “Encourage one another daily, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13) – Share victories and struggles; let corporate faith lift individual weakness. Guardrails Against Future Doubt • Speak truth aloud when tempted to waver (2 Corinthians 4:13). • Replace “What if?” with “Even if” confidence in God’s sovereignty (Daniel 3:17–18). • Refuse cynicism; expect God to act consistent with His Word (Psalm 27:13). A Vision of Strengthened Faith When Scripture shapes thinking, prayer aligns with divine purposes, and remembrance fuels expectancy, hearts become poised to recognize God’s hand instantly—no dismissal, no disbelief, only joyful acknowledgment that “the Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3). |
    |