Unbelievable

Different situations give the word unbelievable very different meanings in the first responder world. In the fire service, the word might be said under one’s breath after exiting a fully involved house fire, where the residents were hoarders, and you and your crew had to force your way through mountains of junk and trash just to reach the seat of the fire. For law enforcement, unbelievable is often said while sitting in a squad car, shaking your head after pulling over a distracted driver who blew through a stoplight because sending a text felt more important than keeping themselves and others safe on the road. Or it’s the word said as one clears yet another domestic dispute call, the same one you’ve responded to a thousand times before.

The word can also take the form of frustration or much-needed lightheartedness, perhaps on an EMS call you didn’t listen closely enough, or take seriously enough, the patient who mentioned feeling nauseous, and suddenly they vomit all over you and your partner. In that moment, simultaneous thoughts of “unbelievable” are almost guaranteed.

There are in fact situations we experience and calls we run where the word means exactly what it is intended to mean. Working a cardiac arrest can be one of the most stressful experiences a first responder faces. Statistically, obtaining ROSC in the field and having the patient regain consciousness prior to or upon arrival at the hospital is rare. A rare clinical save with full neurological intact in the field deserves the response: “unbelievable”. 

Much like moments in the first responder world, there are points throughout our journey of faith when we stand in awe, our hearts filled with praise, and the word unbelievable rises naturally to our minds.

As Christians, God’s grace, extended to us through the sending of Jesus as our perfect substitutionary atonement for sin, is truly unbelievable. When we believe the gospel and God transforms our hearts from stone to flesh, when we experience a love and grace we do not deserve, the response of all who are saved is the same: “This is unbelievable.”

Unbelievable. What a perfect word to describe the free grace granted to us sinners to have the ability to be in right relationship with a holy, perfect, infinite God. What’s equally unbelievable is God wrote a book for us so we can understand Him. The Bible tells us who God is and gives us a historical understanding of our faith. From Genesis to Revelation, almost every passage of scripture evokes this same awe. God’s Word, written throughout history for us, calls us to know Him, love Him, and follow Him, and its truth is nothing short of unbelievable.

From creation to revelation, from death to resurrection, God’s truth often feels unbelievable to us.

As believers, we must also understand and be okay with working through disbelief with others. For every human, disbelief is the beginning of an experience that, by God’s will and grace, leads to embracing the incredible. A heart directed toward unbelief in the unbeliever is something we must navigate with grace and truth. Unbelief must be met with grace and truth, that God created this world and everything in it, and that He alone holds a purpose and plan for all things, from the smallest to the largest detail. Unfortunately, to many, the idea that every step we take and every moment we live is guided by God’s hand is simply to unbelievable to trust. (Proverbs 16:9).

When this truth feels too unbelievable to accept, people often suppress it, choosing instead to live in opposition to God, self-focused and driven by the desires of this world. If we are not careful, we can find ourselves thinking we can convince people they need to be saved. But it is only God who can change a mind from unbelief to belief. It is never easy wanting someone to come to belief only to watch a loved one reject God rather than turn to Him in faith. This can leave us with a single, aching thought: unbelievable.

But what we need to understand is even in people’s unbelief, God is at work. It is He who reveals the truth to sinners, transforming hearts from thinking “unbelievable” to crying out, “I believe.” 

For the Believer, it is God who walks with us through every worry and trial, even when all seems lost, when we find ourselves thinking, “I can’t believe things are this bad—this is unbelievable.” It is in those moments we cry out, “God, I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). And it is then that God’s grace shines brightest, reminding us, or revealing for the first time, His words “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Cor 12:9)

Truly, the story of God’s love, creation, and redemption is unbelievable, and yet it is real. In this reality, we find hope, purpose, and a God whose ways are far beyond our understanding. 

How can we trust God's word to believe the unbelievable? 

• We trust that God is the one who saves and reveals to us the miracle of belief:

  • “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2 :11-14) 

• God overcomes our unbelief:

  • And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’? All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24)

• God sustains believers even when doubt comes in:

  • “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)

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