Do You Doubt?

Are you one that buys in to anything? Do you believe things hook, line, and sinker? Or, do you take time to think about it, investigate it, or maybe even ask others what they know about it? I tend to be one that has a genuine trust in people and the things they tell me. This has sometimes come back to get me, but I know that I try really hard to be honest and sincere so I expect others are doing the same.



Throughout the years I have not been one to spend much time doubting what I have read in God's Word. I have often wondered the HOW, but rarely turned away doubting it actually took place. On the other hand, I have taken the time to investigate the things I have heard others teach, preach, or just simply say in conversation. Many times I have doubted some of the things I heard, and several times I have found those doubts to have been worthwhile. I can remember as a young boy hearing preachers and teachers say, "Don't believe what I am saying, find it with me in the word of God." I have heard many good lessons and sermons that have challenged us to not just believe the speaker, but to investigate it ourselves to find that the lesson was fact.



When we talk about our faith, the word doubt always seems to come up. Does it make us a bad Christian if we have doubts, or if we even doubt God? I recently asked several people this question and I was really pleased with the responses I got back. Here are what some of them said: Doubting preachers and teachers is ok, but the Word of God is TRUTH and no sense doubting....We have to be careful when we have doubts, because it naturally opens a door to allow Satan in and we know where it can go from there....I try not to think about this question, to be honest it scares me....Thomas doubted that Jesus had been resurrected and Jesus appeared to him and proved his resurrection to be true, and Thomas came away with a stronger faith. The last one is my favorite and I want to make an observation or two....



1. Doubting is Normal

As we are allowing our faith to develop it is natural that we are going to be skeptical. Somethings just tend to beyond what our minds can comprehend and therefore doubts will arise. We can see that even Thomas who had spent time as a part of Jesus' ministry, who both had seen and heard things first hand still had trouble believing. So, if we experience doubts that's normal. The key is how we handle them.

2. Jesus Will Help Find the Answers

Back to Thomas, even after he had heard the predictions from Jesus and then heard from his fellow disciples that they had seen him, he still did not believe. Thomas wanted to touch the wounds in his hands and on his side to believe that he was living again. So what did Jesus do? He provided the answers to Thomas. Jesus made another appearance, and it just so happen he showed up when Thomas was there (convenient, huh?). He also approached him saying....

"Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." John 20:27

Thomas was so shocked he could barely speak, and he uttered a true confession of faith... "My Lord and my God!" You think his faith was strengthened that day? When we are faced with doubt Jesus will help us find the answers!

It is my prayer that when you doubt (notice I said "when") you will realize it is a normal process of developing your faith, but I hope you will remember to look for Jesus to help you find the answers!

Just Thinking-