Permission to DoubtSýnishorn

Here’s Your Permission to Doubt

We’ve all wrestled with doubts. We doubt the weatherman when he says there’s a chance for snow in the middle of summer. We doubt the things we read on the news or see on social media.

And honestly, most of us have probably doubted ourselves, too. Maybe we started a new job or moved to a new city and felt completely unqualified or inadequate.

For the most part, these doubts are easy to talk about and share with the people we trust—even if it’s just one or two close friends.

But have you ever had doubts about something that you felt ashamed to even question? You know, the doubts and questions that can rock our worlds and make us feel utterly helpless?

After all, what are we supposed to do when we aren’t sure if we can keep believing what we used to believe?

Most of us see spiritual doubts and questions about our faith as enemies to our relationship with Jesus. And the gut response most of us have is to run as far away from these questions as possible, pretend they aren’t there, and keep doing what we’ve been doing.

But here’s the thing: That isn’t what Jesus wants for you. He doesn’t want you to shy away from your doubts, fears, and questions. Instead, He wants you to bring them all to Him.

Over the next few days, we’ll learn about spiritual doubts and questions by looking at Peter. Peter wasn’t just among Jesus’ 12 disciples, he was one of Jesus’ closest friends. Later, Peter would go on to be one of the most influential leaders in the early church. But before that, he wrestled with doubts that only Jesus could help him with.

Doubts and questions aren’t indicators that our faith is coming to an end. Instead, they’re signals that we need to dismantle false beliefs, bad ideas, and ugly misconceptions in order to see Jesus’ goodness and faithfulness more clearly.

Pray: God, thank You for being with me in my doubts and questions. Please remind me that You’re with me in the wrestling, and that You want to bring me comfort and peace in the process. Help me to see doubt as a tool to grow closer to You, and not something that I should be scared or ashamed of. In Jesus’ name, amen.