How to Have Faith Like a Child

It was a little paper cut on his finger.  He asked me for a bandaid, and I put a Lightning McQueen one on. “Mommy,” he said, “I think Jesus will heal me.”

This is the faith my boy has. Jesus can do anything. He regularly tells me things, like, “God is all I need,” and “Jesus’ blood can do anything.” His childlike faith is simple, and pure. 

He believes it, because it’s what he hears every Sunday, every Wednesday, and most other days at home.  When I tell him that a friend is sick, he prays for them.  He has no doubt that God heals.

I want to have that kind of faith when I grow up.

My son doesn’t have much life experience.  He hasn’t seen many things that I have.  I’ve seen bills get paid when there was no money, or a car that should have plunged into a creek on an icy road, suddenly stop. 

I’ve seen my husband work, when there seemed to be no jobs available.  But, when I need something from God, my first thought always seems to be doubtful.

When Your Faith Doesn’t Work

The Bible is full of verses about faith.

• And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be planted in the sea; and it should obey you.  Luke 17:6
• And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.  John 14:13-14
• …Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.  Matthew 21:21-22

Jesus promises that faith will produce results.  So, why is it so hard for me to pray with faith?  If a four-year-old has faith, why can’t I?

First, I think we have some misconceptions about faith. Faith isn’t having everything in life go easy. I’ve heard preacher’s say that if you only have enough faith, God will answer your prayers.

I’ve worked myself into a frenzy, trying to have enough faith for God to hear my prayers. Thankfully, I’ve learned that’s not how it works!

I remember one Sunday very vividly. I prayed a prayer that I just knew God would answer. My heart was full of faith in that prayer. But guess what?

He didn’t answer it like I thought He would. My heart and spirit were crushed. Why didn’t I have enough faith to get this prayer answered?

Now, looking back, I can see how God moved in a situation that I didn’t understand. If He had answered that prayer like I thought He should (like I had been told He would) I would’ve been in a mess.

Putting Your Faith in the Right Place

Often we pray for something, thinking it’s what we really need. But God knows differently.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26

I like to think of it like this. I pray for something that seems good for me. It’s the thing that will help me, or meet my need.

But the Holy Spirit, in His wisdom, sees it differently. He takes my prayer, that I’ve prayed in complete faith, and gives it to the Father.

“Father, Lyndsie has prayed for this, because in her eyes, it’s what she needs. But You and I know that this other thing will be better for her. And I ask you to bless her with what she really needs, and the faith to trust that it’s best.”

Aren’t you glad He intercedes for us like that?! It’s no accident that this verse comes right before the oh-so-popular Romans 8:28. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

You can’t have one without the other.

Faith isn’t believing that God will answer our prayers just like we think He should. It’s not “demanding” things of God, or “claiming a promise.”

Faith is trusting and knowing that when we pray, He hears us, and will always answer in our best interest. Even if we don’t see it.

Having a true faith is believing with the faith of a child, that He will always be there and take care of us.

The Faith of a Child Doesn’t Doubt

The faith of a child comes from a heart that is pure and innocent.  They don’t carry all the mental and emotional baggage that I do.  They haven’t come to a place in life where Satan has chance to fill their head with lies. 

My child only knows ‘Jesus can,’ and that’s what he believes.  He has that faith that Jesus talked about in Luke 18:17.

Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Luke 18:17

But my mind and heart are clouded.  Satan uses every opportunity to trick and deceive me, and unfortunately, I fall for it many times. 

The Faith of a Child Always Believes

So, I doubt.  I doubt God’s goodness, I doubt His love.  I doubt that He is able to meet my needs. The Bible is full of His miracles, and His promises.  Yes, I believe it all, but not in that same, innocent way as my four-year-old.

It’s that kind of faith that I need.  The faith that says, “God can,” and truly believes it.  I need the faith of a child.  It’s easier said than done. 

It’s so easy to say, “Oh, I have faith that God can take care of that.”  But, deep inside I question, “What if He doesn’t?”

And, so, my dialogue becomes, “God can…but if He doesn’t, then I will…”  That’s not faith!  Faith can only happen when I realize that God is my only hope and the only way.

Faith doesn’t come easy.  Even Jesus acknowledged it.  When a woman came to Him begging Him to cast a demon out of her daughter, He said He hadn’t seen so great faith in all of Israel.

I want faith.  I want that 100% trust that God will take care of me, but I battle with my own mind and my own doubt.  So, I pray along the father in Mark 9, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

Living in the Faith of a Child

Think of that moment in the middle of the night when your mama ears hear that little cry. You’re out of bed in an instant, running. If you’re like me, you’re already talking before you even get there.

“It’s okay, baby. Mommy’s here. Shhh. Don’t cry. I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.”

And your little one, knows it’s true. They curl into you, knowing that whatever was wrong just three seconds ago, is okay now. You will make it all better.

That’s the faith of a child. And that’s the kind of faith Jesus wants you and I to have.

Just like that nightmare my child had, life sometimes throws me curveballs that I didn’t expect. My heart is overwhelmed, and before that first tear even falls, He’s there.

“I know you’re scared, and I see your hurt. I’ll be with you and hold you. It’s okay, because I’m here now.”

You and I can’t protect our kids from all pain and heartache. They’re just a part of life. But when they happen, we can be there to kiss the boo-boos, dry the tears, and hold them in the darkness.

In the same way, God doesn’t always keep bad things or hard things from happening. But when they do happen, He asks us to turn to Him in faith.

Let Him hold you in the dark and dry your tears. Turn to Him and trust His plan is best. Run to Him with the faith of a child, and He will accept you with the love a Father.

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