When Your Faith Seems Small: Why even a mustard seed is enough.
One of my favorite verses is found in Matthew 9:24— “Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief.”
There are days when faith feels like a roaring fire — steady, strong, unshakable and on those days I know God can handle anything in my life.
And then there are days when my flickering candle feels dim. I believe God can answer prayer, but I’m not sure he will answer it the way I hope it will go. And then I start wondering if my request is important enough to listen to. And then my problem seems even bigger. I have to make a concerted effort to refocus; to give it to God, and to pray that he will strengthen my faith.
If you’ve ever thought, I wish my faith were stronger, I want you to hear something Jesus said that changes everything:
“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” — Matthew 17:20
God Never Measured Faith by Size
I have seen a mustard seed. A mustard seed is tiny — about the size of the tip of a pencil. It’s not even as big as an apple seed. And yet, in the hands of the right Gardener, it grows into something much larger than itself.
Jesus didn’t say, “If you have faith the size of a mountain…” He said mustard seed. Because the power isn’t in the size of your faith — it’s in the strength of the One you put it in.
Small Faith Is Still Faith
When the desperate father in Mark 9 cried out to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief,” he wasn’t bringing perfect faith — but he was bringing honest faith. And Jesus met him right there.
Your faith may feel shaky. You may not see the whole picture. But if you can still whisper, “Jesus, help me to trust You,” even as you doubt — that’s faith.
Why We Discount Small Faith
In our results-driven culture, we think bigger is better. We want faith that looks bold, fearless, and sure.
But the truth is, God often starts His greatest work in what looks small:
A shepherd boy with a sling and a stone.
A widow with a handful of flour and a little oil.
A baby in a manger.
He asked Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water toward him. If a sea full of waves in the middle of a storm is not “shaky ground,” I don’t know what is! Peter stepped out of the boat in obedience—but as the waves moved under his feet, he yelled to Jesus for help. Jesus caught him before he sank.
Small beginnings and shaky faith don’t intimidate Him. They’re His specialty. Peter stepped out of the boat, and when he became dismayed by his situation, Jesus caught him and didn’t let him sink.
Is that you? Can you take one step forward and believe that Jesus will catch your hand and not let you sink?
Some days, I feel small. That’s when we’re in the perfect place for God to use us. God has chosen the weak things of this world to confound the wise. Corinthians 1:27
How to Nurture Your Mustard Seed
If you’re in a season where your faith feels fragile, here are a few ways to let it grow:
Water It with the Word — Even a verse or two a day can feed your spirit.
Expose It to the Light — Spend time with other believers who encourage and challenge you.
Protect It from Weeds — Be mindful of voices (online or in person) that plant doubt instead of truth.
Celebrate Tiny Mustard Seed Wins — Thank God for the smallest answered prayer or glimpse of His goodness.
A Personal Story
There was a season when I prayed for something so long without an answer that I felt my faith shrinking. I believed the prayer I was praying was within God’s will, but it seemed impossible. I remember telling God, “I’m not sure this will ever happen… but teach me that I can believe you more.” I started thanking him in advance for what he would do. Twenty-seven years later, God answered that prayer so completely that I am humbled beyond words.
Looking back, I can see that even my tiny faith kept me tethered to Him. And in His kindness, He answered in a way that reminded me: He honors even the smallest decision to trust.
Faith Grows as We Use It
Think of faith like a muscle — the more we lean on it, the stronger it becomes. Every time you choose to trust God in a small thing, you’re building the strength to trust Him in the big things.
Zechariah 4:10 says:
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
Your small faith today could be the seed of something much bigger tomorrow.
A Prayer for the Woman Whose Faith Feels Small
Lord, for the woman reading this who feels like her faith is barely holding on, remind her that You value even the smallest seed of trust. Grow her faith day by day, and let her see that You are faithful to finish what You start. Amen.
If all you have is a mustard seed today, that’s enough for God to work with. Place it in His hands — and ask him to water it.