Dealing with Doubts: Trusting in God

Beyond Belief

James 1:6-8 (NLT) 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

Matthew 11:11 (NLT) 11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist.

Matthew 11:3 (NLT) 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

In our journey of faith, doubt often creeps in and challenges our belief in God. However, as believers, it is important to remember that our doubts should be challenged by the strength of our unwavering trust in God. Doubt should not lead us astray but should serve as a catalyst for a deeper and more mature faith.

1. God is not disillusioned by your Doubts

As human beings, it is natural to experience doubts in our faith. We may question our ability to trust in God’s promises or to fully surrender to His will. But we must remember that our doubts do not disillusion God. Like Peter walking on water, when he doubted and began to sink, Jesus immediately reached out His hand and rescued him (Matthew 14:28-31). God understands our doubts and is ready to embrace us in His unwavering love and understanding.

2. Doubt is the catalyst to a deeper faith

Doubt, when handled in the right way, can lead us to a deeper and more profound faith. Just as Jesus’ disciples questioned His identity and John the Baptist doubted his expectations (Matthew 11:3), doubt can push us to seek answers and seek a more intimate understanding of God. Through perseverance and testing, our faith is refined, and we become mature and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).

3. Doubt your doubts more than you doubt your beliefs

It is crucial to doubt our doubts more than we doubt our beliefs. The strategies employed by doubt often originate from external influences, as seen in Genesis when the serpent questioned Eve about God’s command regarding the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-5). Instead of being swayed by doubt, we should focus on the evidence of God’s work in our lives, affirming our faith in Him. Jesus encouraged John the Baptist to observe the miracles and proclaimed blessing for those who do not stumble because of Him (Matthew 11:4-6).

4. Draw closer to God in your doubts and He will draw closer to you

When doubts arise, it is essential to draw closer to God rather than distancing ourselves from Him. The book of James encourages us to draw near to God, and in return, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). By seeking His presence and surrendering our doubts to Him, we pave the way for His peace and reassurance to fill our hearts and minds.

5. Destroy doubt by meditating on God’s word

One powerful way to combat doubt is by immersing ourselves in God’s word. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of God. As we meditate on His promises, His character, and the accounts of His faithfulness throughout Scripture, our trust in Him is strengthened. The more we grow in our knowledge of God and His ways, the more confident and productive we become in our spiritual journey (2 Peter 1:5-21).

Final Thoughts:

Dealing with doubts is a natural part of our faith journey. Instead of allowing doubts to cripple our faith, we must trust in God’s faithfulness and rely on His word. Doubt can be the catalyst that propels us toward a deeper, more mature faith. As we draw closer to God, meditate on His promises, and doubt our doubts more than our beliefs, we discover a stronger trust in Him. Ultimately, our doubts should inspire us to seek answers, reinforce our faith, and build an unshakable foundation in God’s unwavering love and promises.