Doubting Godنموونە

Demo Day

So you’ve identified your leak problem, screened the person who will take on the project, and decided you’re ready to begin your renovation. This is the moment things get real.

The crew comes in and demolishes the whole kitchen, making it look like a disaster. At this point, you’re wondering why you even started the project, and you’re anxious about whether it’ll ever look like a kitchen again.

When we encounter doubt in our faith, it can feel just as scary as demo day. Once a seed of doubt grows in our mind, we might feel anxious, afraid, or even angry. We might be frustrated that we’re questioning what we’ve always believed is true. We might feel shame for feeling that way or afraid to talk about it with others.

But here’s the thing about demo day. It doesn’t destroy the situation forever. The breaking is necessary for the breakthrough. You can’t leave the leak alone, letting it fester and produce mold. In the same way, you can’t leave your doubts unaddressed and unexpressed because they’ll only get louder and become more isolating.

This process of dismantling our beliefs and evaluating our doubts can feel dangerous, unsettling, and messy. It can even be so daunting that some people take the opportunity to walk away altogether.

But we serve a God who isn’t frightened by brokenness.

In the middle of the mess, God is there. He is present. He is not distant in our doubts. He draws near to us, and He would much rather you express your unbelief to Him than walk away from Him altogether.

God is a refuge—a safe place. You don’t go to a refuge when life is going well. You go to a refuge when you desperately need shelter. And the beautiful thing is that God is still a refuge for you even when it feels like your faith is what you’re escaping from.

So, when we get to the point of brokenness, we don’t run away. We run to God and to trusted people to help us process our confusion.

We see this principle in Peter’s journey. There’s a moment where Jesus allows him to miraculously walk on water. But as his focus shifts from Jesus to the chaos around him, he starts sinking. Jesus catches him, helps him to safety, and asks:

… “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31 NIV

What if that question is not an accusation but rather an invitation?

What if Jesus was asking Peter to bring his deepest doubts to Him, genuinely wanting to know why he doubted? What if he asked not to shame him but rather to show him that He cares and is big enough to handle his doubts?

So in the middle of your doubt, Jesus is near. Your doubt doesn’t disqualify you. Peter went on to become one of the most influential leaders in the early church. So even when everything in your life feels like a cluttered, untethered mess, God can use your doubt to deepen your faith.

Pray: God, thank You for working all things together for good, even my doubt. Help me bring all my doubt to You, knowing that You invite it and can handle it. Remove any shame I feel, and instead bring me closer to You—my refuge. In Jesus’ name, amen.