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Doubting Your Faith

Many people in the Scriptures doubted God. Many Psalms are written from people in places of doubt and sadness. Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Elijah, David, John the Baptist, the disciples, and more, all had times of serious doubt. This shows us that everyone has doubts. It would be abnormal not to have them.

In Matthew 28, where Jesus shares the great commission, we see that people doubted. After Jesus’ resurrection and before his ascension, here he meets with a group of people (likely more than just his 11 disciples). The passage says “some doubted.” Now we don’t know exactly who was doubting, and what exactly they were doubting, nonetheless, there were people who saw the risen Jesus and still had their doubts. But Jesus doesn’t then convince them of their need to be certain. Instead he encourages them, even in the doubts, to be obedient and faithful.

In the midst of their doubts, Jesus didn’t say, “Once you're absolutely certain, then go and do these things.” He looks at these worshiping, doubting guys and says, “You go! You doubters, go. Tell the world about me and what you have seen and been taught by me.” This shows us that faith is demonstrated through obedience, not certainty. Doubts are not a hindrance to God using you.

And then in Mark 9:17-24, Jesus heals a man’s son after his disciples were unable to do so and a dispute then arose between the disciples and religious leaders. Upon seeing Jesus, the man asks Jesus to heal his son, and in this specific instance, the man is told the only hindrance to healing was a lack of belief in Jesus’ ability to do it.

So when it comes to doubts of your own, we also should remember to ask God to help us believe. The Scriptures invite us to wrestle with God. To be honest with God. To not pretend everything is ok when it isn’t.

Know this; faith is not the absence of doubt, faith is trusting Jesus in the midst of our doubts. Psalm 13 ends with the Psalmist choosing to trust in the Lord, even while feeling distant from Him. Doubts are not sinful and do not mean you are unfaithful. In fact, choosing to follow Jesus in the midst of your doubts can be the most faithful thing of all.

Today’s reflection

Faith is demonstrated through obedience, not certainty. Doubts are not a hindrance to God using you. How does that make you feel?