Don't Let Doubt Take You Outનમૂનો

When Disappointment Leads to Doubt

Has a disappointment in life ever driven you to doubt God? If so, you’re not alone. Even if you haven’t read much of the Bible, you’ve probably heard of Doubting Thomas. Thomas wasn’t at the empty tomb on that first Easter morning. He wasn’t there the first time Jesus revealed Himself in His resurrected body to the disciples. So when they gathered in an upper room the week after the resurrection, Thomas was filled with fear and doubts.

Thomas was there when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He witnessed the feeding of the multitudes with a boy’s small lunch. He saw Jesus open blinded eyes and heal crippled legs. For three years he had a front-row seat to the miraculous—and still, he doubted Jesus because the situation didn’t play out the way he thought it would, or should.

Maybe you can relate to Thomas. Life isn’t turning out the way you wanted it to or the way you had prayed or planned. And it feels as if God has let you down. That’s exactly what Thomas was feeling. Think about it: He had given up everything to follow Jesus. He had left his career, his family, and his home to follow this man he thought was the Messiah, the one he thought would overthrow the Roman Empire and establish His earthly kingdom and rule. Surely He wouldn’t die on a cross between two thieves.

Doubts often come when our expectations of God go unmet, when God doesn’t come through the way we asked Him to or the way we expected He would. When we believe God is going to act a certain way, provide in a certain manner, or heal by a certain time and He doesn’t come through that way, we’re disappointed. And disappointment opens the door to doubt.

If we’re honest, we’ve all struggled with being disappointed by God. We do all the right things. Pray all the right prayers. And still, God doesn’t come through for us. It seems as though the prayer went unanswered, the need unmet, and as a result we blame God. But disappointment doesn’t come from God. God cannot disappoint. God can only appoint. God has a purpose and plan for your life, an appointment for you. Disappointment is trying to move you in the opposite direction of your appointment.

Thomas allowed his disappointment to open the door to doubt. But we read in the Gospel of John that “Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’ ‘My Lord and my God!’ Thomas exclaimed” (John 20:26–28).

Here are two things we can learn from Thomas about dealing with doubt:

1. When you don’t know what to think, you can know where to go.

Thomas was dealing with doubt, but he wasn’t hanging out with other doubters. He was with people who had seen something he had not seen, who had experienced something he had not experienced. When doubt is taking you out, hang out with people of faith.

2. When you’re dealing with doubt, reach out for Jesus.

Sometimes in our doubt we push God away. We get angry with Him and blame Him for something that has happened in our lives. Instead of reaching out for God, we reach out for anything to silence the doubt and numb the pain. But Thomas reached out for Jesus. And the Bible promises that when you move toward God, He moves toward you.

Prayer: God, thank you for being patient with me and my doubts. I’m grateful I can bring my questions, fears, and frustrations to you. Holy Spirit, help me to trust you in the waiting and to see your hand at work, even when I can’t see the whole picture. Strengthen my faith as I reach out to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.