Encouragement for When We DoubtShembull

What Causes Our Doubts?

As we delve into the depths of John the Baptist’s doubt, we seek to understand what led him to question his faith. In uncovering these factors, we will find that they resonate with our own struggles and doubts.

The first element we encounter is the weight of difficult circumstances. John’s doubt did not arise in a vacuum but was deeply rooted in his harsh reality. At this point in Matthew 11, John has been confined in prison for approximately a year. The conditions of his captivity remain shrouded in uncertainty, but one thing is clear: a free spirit like John, accustomed to the wilderness, must have found his imprisonment excruciating.

Compounding his distress, the ministry of the Lord Jesus continued unabated. John’s divine calling was to prepare the way for the Messiah, but now, as he languished in prison, he might have felt forgotten and overlooked. This is where our faith often faces its sternest test – in the midst of prolonged adversity.

We tend to hold firm when we encounter difficulties that we expect to be short-lived. We readily rationalize such trials, believing they serve to strengthen our faith and character. However, when these hardships persist – days turning into weeks, weeks into months, and perhaps even years – doubt can gradually infiltrate our minds.

Believers are not immune to life’s tribulations. Jesus Himself affirmed this truth in John 16:33: “In the world, you have tribulation.” As believers, we confront illness, experience grief and loss, grapple with financial difficulties, and sometimes face persecution. In fact, it could be argued that believers often endure more hardship in this world than unbelievers do.

John’s imprisonment was a stark reminder of this reality. His prolonged captivity, coupled with witnessing the continuing ministry of Jesus, left him grappling with doubts. The questions that emerged might have echoed those that haunt many believers today during their own periods of adversity.

So, I ask, is your faith under assault? Have doubts begun to creep into your heart and mind as you navigate through challenging circumstances that seem unending? Recognizing that difficult times can be the breeding ground for doubt is essential. However, in the midst of these struggles, there is an opportunity for your faith to emerge stronger than ever before. There is an opportunity, right now, to see that you can use these trials to grow your faith in God’s unwavering character.