God often uses parables from nature to encourage us. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus tells us that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for us. What does Jesus really mean when He speaks of mustard-seed faith? It is a trace of faith—one that may be invisible to the masses, but is fully seen and pleasing to God.
For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20
He is Able to Understand
The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in the plant kingdom—only about 1 to 3 millimeters in size—yet it can grow into a plant as tall as twenty feet. Mustard-seed faith is not loud or fearless. Often, it is quiet, trembling courage—the daring to take a step towards impossible belief.
Recently, our family faced what looked like a repeat of a tragic situation. Reports continued to come in, each one more troubling than the last. Everything seemed to be following the same familiar path—one that appeared to lead toward another tragedy. Lived experience told us how this story usually ends.
He is Able to Do New Things
In that moment, a clarion sense of God’s grace and love filled my heart. I remembered that God is compassionate. He doesn’t get angry or punish us when we struggle to believe. He knows our humanity and our limits. He understands how repeated pain can make faith feel difficult. I couldn’t believe in complete healing, and I couldn’t even believe that things could improve. I only had enough faith to suspend doubt! To suspend doubt, that was it. It was tiny—like splitting hairs of my faith—but God recognized it.
He is Able to Make a Way
That day, our mustard-seed faith wasn’t strong enough to believe for complete healing—but God was not angry at our small faith. Our compassionate Father met us where we were. I stretched my faith just enough to suspend judgment, and from there, I could believe a little more. My mustard-seed faith was growing. That faith pleased God. Before our eyes, the numbers began to stabilize, and relief washed over us.
My faith wasn’t heroic—it was cautious, trembling, just enough to place the moment into God’s hands. And it was enough.
Scripture reminds us that God is always at work, even when we struggle to perceive it:
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame;[a] he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14
He Is Able To Understand
God reminds us of His goodness in the story of the prodigal son. The father runs to meet his wayward child where he is, embraces him, and walks him home to restoration and celebration. God can be easier to please than we think. He is not asking us to be giants of faith. He is asking us to bring Him what we have—even if it feels embarrassingly and painfully small. Mustard-seed faith does not deny reality; it chooses to believe God.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Proverbs 3:5-6
With just a tiny seed of faith, placed in His hands,can grow and work miracles.
