I have a hard time understanding Mark 16:17-18

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In the literal sense, the apostles and their successors have done all these things. That’s why there are many stories of the saints performing these miracles through faith. Anything is actually possible to one who believes, however we really don’t believe that it can completely, that is why it doesn’t.

In the spiritual (the most important) real sense, treading on snakes, etc. refers to the devil who is called a great snake; the Lord says that he will trample the devil under the feet of the church; healing people with hands refers to the sacraments such as confirmation, anointing; drinking poison means being exposed to false teachings or gospels cannot harm the believer who is firm in faith; raising the dead means bringing them to spiritual life, etc.
 
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Obviously we cannot drive out demons, speak in tongues, etc. So perhaps there is another explanation for this?
So it is about how not what, “in my name”:
17 These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
 
More to the point, it will happen if it needs to happen, and if it will be good for you and for others, and if it suits God.

Everybody knows that animals tend to get along with saintly people, and even with people who just like animals and care enough to get along with them. So not being hurt by snakes is the least of it; it is just a return to the natural way of things in Eden.

Healing people is also just an encouragement of what is normal – health.

The other stuff is a bit more advanced, going up towards what is truly superhuman. But since we are part of Christ’s Body, and Christ is true God as well as true man, we can potentially do superhuman things.

If you want Christlike powers, be like Christ as much as you can. And that means love and suffering, and following Him.
 
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17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Some passages in the Bible are taken literally, while others are taken figuratively. Protestants of course take the passages in John 6:51-57 symbolically, while Catholics take it to support Transubstantiation. Similarly, there have been bible believers who have taken the passages given by the OP literally.
 
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