Faith The size of a mustard seed or a lima bean Of doubt?
Be careful how you water a thought that someone else plant.
“What you water, grows.” -VicNikol
The title may spark curiosity: How does faith, doubt, and the metaphor of seeds connect to mental health? The journey of nurturing our mental and spiritual well-being often involves discerning what seeds we allow to take root in the fertile soil of our minds. This blog explores the power of choosing faith over fear, using scripture and therapeutic tools to manage the seeds of thoughts, feelings, and emotions planted by others.
It may seem small, but doubt has a way of growing, taking root, and keeping us stuck.
The Power of Seeds – Mustard vs. Lima
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus tells His disciples, “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.” The mustard seed, though tiny, grows into something mighty and purposeful when nurtured with care.
Contrast this with a metaphorical lima bean of doubt. Doubt can appear small and harmless, but if nurtured—often by others’ critical words, fears, or negativity—it grows into a vine of confusion and self-doubt that chokes our faith and potential. We tend to water the negativity (lima bean size) more than our faith.
The choice between nurturing faith or doubt is a mental and spiritual decision we face every day. But how do we ensure we’re watering the right seeds?
Discernment – Not Every Seed Deserves Water
Scripture reminds us to guard our hearts and minds. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” In mental health terms, this means practicing awareness and discernment about the thoughts and feelings we allow to take root.
Therapeutic tools to help discern:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Challenge and question thoughts. Ask yourself, “Is this thought helpful? Is it true, or is it just someone else’s projection?”
• Mindfulness: Pay attention to the present moment without judgment. Notice when doubt or negativity creeps in, and redirect your focus to thoughts aligned with your values.
• Boundaries: Don’t allow everyone to plant seeds in your mind. Surround yourself with those who speak truth, encouragement, and love into your life.
Pulling Weeds – Letting Go of Toxic Seeds
Sometimes we’ve unintentionally watered lima beans of doubt for years. Uprooting these weeds takes intention and effort. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Practical tools for uprooting:
• Journaling: Write down recurring negative thoughts or beliefs. Ask, “Whose voice is this? Does it align with God’s truth or my values?”
• Affirmations & Scripture: Replace lies with truth. For example, if doubt whispers, “You’re not good enough to do that, give it up” replace it with Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
• Therapy or Counseling: Working with a mental health professional can help you process longstanding doubts or fears and replace them with healthy, faith-filled thoughts.
Watering Faith – Planting Positive Seeds
Faith doesn’t always feel big or bold—it starts small, like a mustard seed. But when nurtured with intentionality, it grows into a firm foundation. Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Practical ways to water faith:
• Daily Prayer and Reflection: Spend time with God, asking for wisdom to discern His truth from others’ opinions.
• Surround Yourself with Faith Builders: Join a community, whether it’s a church group, supportive friends, or a therapist who integrates faith into mental health.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Every step you take to nurture positive seeds is growth. Acknowledge and thank God for even the smallest victories.
Faith and Doubt in Everyday Life
Career Growth
You’ve been praying for a new job opportunity, but when one presents itself, you start overthinking:
❌ “Am I really qualified?”
❌ “What if I fail?”
❌ “Maybe it’s safer to stay where I am.”
That lima bean of doubt stops you from stepping into what could be your next blessing. But what if you activated mustard seed faith instead?
✅ “God wouldn’t have opened this door if I wasn’t ready.”
✅ “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
✅ “I’m walking by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
2. Healing from Trauma
Therapeutically, doubt shows up in trauma recovery as fear of change. You want to heal, but thoughts creep in:
❌ “What if I never feel better?”
❌ “What if therapy doesn’t work for me?”
❌ “What if I get hurt again?”
These doubts can keep you trapped in survival mode. But mustard seed faith looks like:
✅ Taking the first step to seek therapy.
✅ Believing that God is your healer (Psalm 147:3).
✅ Choosing to reframe negative thoughts using CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
3. Relationships and Trust
Maybe you’ve been hurt in past relationships—romantic, friendships, or even within your family. Doubt makes you assume history will repeat itself:
❌ “People always let me down.”
❌ “I don’t think I can trust again.”
❌ “What if I get hurt?”
But faith says:
✅ “God has good plans for me, not harm” (Jeremiah 29:11).
✅ “I will not let my past dictate my future.”
✅ “Through boundaries, wisdom, and faith, I can navigate relationships healthily.”
Conclusion
The seeds planted in your mind have the power to shape your life.
You cannot control what others plant, but you can control what you water. Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, but only if you choose to nurture it over the lima beans of doubt. By incorporating scripture, discernment, and therapeutic tools, you can cultivate a garden of faith, resilience, and peace in your heart and mind.
Which seeds will you water today?
