Truly I tell you, 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

What does Jesus mean in this teaching? For years I thought this was about removing obstacles. Now I realize that it’s not about removing them but overcoming them.

Jesus is teaching on the role of faith in overcoming obstacles and setbacks in our walk with Him. Everything in the Christian life requires faith, a complete trust and dependence on God. God calls us to live a different kind of life, one that is separate from the world. This can only be achieved by depending on his power and guidance.

It’s not about avoiding hardship nor is it about making the problem go away. Such thinking is rooted in seeking comfort and doing so will get us nowhere. Rather it is about depending on God to follow Christ through the suffering and pain in order to overcome what we need to overcome.

I hope this encourages someone.

-Phil