WHEN DOUBT HELPS FAITH
I’ve written several blogs about doubt because I think its something we as Christians don’t discuss enough. We believe it is wrong so we pretend it doesn’t exist, even though many of us, me included, deal with it from time to time. What is doubt? Is it a tool of Satan, a weakness of the flesh, or a legitimate seeking after greater understanding? I think it can be any of them.
When life is difficult, and you pray for God to intervene, but it doesn’t seem He does, do you begin to doubt? Do you wonder if He really loves you and cares? Do you ever wonder if He even knows what you are going through? When prayers aren’t answered, do you begin to doubt the power of prayer? Or perhaps you doubt if your prayers are “good enough” to be answered? Wouldn’t it be better if God gave us everything we wanted a soon as we wanted it so we would never doubt Him?
Faith consists of believing God exists, that He came to earth as Jesus to pay for our sins and that the Bible is the written record of God’s absolutes for us today. Faith is trusting God cares about me individually, loves me, forgives me because I trust in Jesus and has a wonderful plan and purpose for my life.
But does having faith include believing I can have anything and everything I want as soon as I want it? Does it mean I know what is best for me? Can I assume that God always wants everything easy and perfect for me? And when problems come, is it because God isn’t able to help me or because I don’t deserve His help? What do I do with these doubts? Do I pretend I don’t have them so I seem like a good Christian?
Doubts need to faced and worked through, not ignored. They are nothing to feel guilty about. Temptation is not sin, it’s what we do with the temptation. The same is true of doubts. In fact, doubts can help us refocus our trust in God despite questions about what He is doing and why He is doing it. Unanswered prayer or questions about what God is doing (or not doing) are reminders to trust in God Himself, not just His actions. We put faith in Him because He is faithful to do what is right and best, not easiest for us. We put our faith in His proven character, not in His actions, because we can’t correctly evaluate them. It isn’t His inability to change our circumstances or lack of love for us. He is always able to do anything, but He is not always willing. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were about to be thrown into the fiery furnace, they affirmed that God was able to save them, but He might not be willing to do so if He had other plans for them (Daniel 3:17).
Face your doubts and questions. Take them to God without fear or guilt. He is big enough to handle them. They don’t surprise Him – He knows them anyway. Let Him use them to make your faith stronger. After all, faith isn’t based on proof. It’s the opposite – it means trusting when there is no proof (Hebrews 11:1).
You will have doubts. It’s natural. You’re human. Don’t feel bad about having them or be discouraged when they come about. Submerge yourself in prayer and saturate your mind and spirit with uplifting Scriptures. Focus on all God has already done for you and what your life would be like without Him. He’s been faithful so far; He will continue to be so in the future.
Having doubts does not diminish your faith or belief in God. In fact, they can make your belief in Him and His will for your life stronger. When a request you’ve submitted goes unanswered, take a moment and ask God if you’re asking for the right thing. When things don’t go your way, ask God to show you His way. Pray for God to reveal the root and the source of the doubt in your heart so you know if you should rebuke it or trust God with it. If fear is involved, confess the fear and don’t let it influence you. Ask God to put Scripture promises in your mind to correctly handle the doubt.
Again, it’s okay to have doubts. It’s a part of the journey and a part of growth as a Christian.
Daniel 3:17-18 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
When do doubts most arise in your heart?
How closely are your doubts related to your fears?
How can you use your doubts to strengthen your faith?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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