Doubt is something that we all experience. People have hurt us and haven’t treated us the way they promised (or the way we think they should). When that happens over and over again, we develop deep insecurities about trusting what other people say. That doubt can sometimes transfer to our faith in God. Is it OK to doubt our faith?
It is okay to doubt. Doubt is just a feeling.
Related Post: How to Trust God When Life Isn’t Going Well
Doubting Faith in Hard Times:
Hard times are recorded all throughout the Bible. As we see in John 20:24-29, Thomas was wrestling with faith and doubt after Jesus was killed. He was probably up at night from fear, frustrated about whether following Jesus had been worth it, and was most likely worried about being crucified himself. When the Lord finally appeared, Thomas doubted if Jesus was truly in the room. Thomas doubts Jesus publicly and Jesus invites him to touch his side, his hands, and see where He was pierced. This story shows us that God is welcoming to all who are questioning their faith.
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Doubt Develops our Faith
One pastor recently said, “Faith is developed in doubt.” Watch the Instagram clip here. It’s in doubt that we learn to depend on God! We have to come to a point where we know that we don’t know all of the answers, you know?
The Bible includes a few places where Jesus is quoted saying,
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 (Luke 11:9, John 7:34)
When we get to the point where we’re unsure, desperate for an answer and start to ask questions, God promises He’ll reveal Himself – maybe through the Bible, a friend, a stranger or in a blog on doubt.
Faith Can Overcome our Doubt
Once the faith ball is rolling, there is no stopping it!
When we choose to believe what the Bible says about God and His promises for us, we can overcome our doubt. Believe with all of your heart that God only has good intentions for us! He is not an angry, vengeful mastermind – He is a good Father who loves His children. – 1 John 3
God works all things together for our good. He is always good! This is something we have to decide to believe over and over again.
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Community Strengthens Faith
Always be curious.
Faith is something Jesus and the New Testament writers talked about all the time. They were consistently trying to help people have greater faith.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:23-25
In these verses, we see the strategy for strengthening our faith:
- Hold on to hope and believe Jesus is our Savior
- Encourage one another in love and good deeds
- Meet regularly (church or small groups)
Hold on. Encourage. Connect.
When life gets really hard, it’s helpful to have a group of people who can love and encourage you to keep faith. Have honest conversations with people you trust, and know that God is also devoted to a relationship with you.
How to Counsel for a Faith Crisis
Doubting the Christian faith is something almost every follower of Jesus has walked through. Here are some tips for those who are doubting faith in this season:
Talk About It
Share your doubts to a trusted friend, leader, or pastor. Most followers of Jesus have experienced intense doubt before. Talking with others who follow Jesus is crucial to making it through the waves of doubt. Also, it’s such good news that God already knows our thoughts and we don’t need to be afraid of His response to our questions – He loves us no matter what we’re thinking. ( Psalm 139: 1- 6)
Pray
Pray with others for a resolution of your doubts. Ask God for wisdom as you seek answers to your questions. Prayer is an incredibly powerful gift from God. Entering into a time of prayer with a friend will fill up your faith tank as you journey through your questions and doubts.
Related Post: Never Underestimate the Power of Prayer
Read God’s Word
Continue to read the Bible to renew your mind with truth. Regardless of how we’re feeling about the Bible, it is good news for our souls and it is able to renew our minds, even when we’re doubting our faith. Related Post:How to Trust God When Life Isn’t Going Well
Ultimately, our actions speak louder than words. Let’s act as though God is faithful (because He is) and always does what’s best for us (because He does).
As we trust God, He will always come through!
