Dealing with Doubt

READ: MATTHEW 28:16-20; JOHN 20:19-31; 1 PETER 1:5-9

Doubt can be so sneaky. It could be that our whole lives we feel like we’ve had rock solid faith, and then one day we find ourselves asking, “Is God real?” For anyone experiencing doubt today, this week, or even years from now, I have some great news.

God is big enough for you to explore your doubts and questions. If He wasn’t, He wouldn’t be God. You don’t need to shy away from your doubts, you can bring them to God. Go ahead and ask Him all the questions you’re wondering and all the doubts you’re having:

“God, why does the church hurt people sometimes? God, why do people claim to be Christians, yet disregard the people who you created and love? God, why can’t I see, hear, or feel you when other people say they do?” These are all questions I’ve brought to God. And if you’re having any similar questions, there are many ways to bring these to God.

One way to explore doubts is to bring them to a pastor or trusted Christian advisor. Someone who is deeply familiar with Scripture may be able to help answer your questions. You can also dive into Scripture for yourself.

When the disciple Thomas had doubts about Jesus’s resurrection, Jesus invited him to come and see that He was for real. What happened was, after Jesus died on the cross and was buried in a tomb, “the disciples were meeting behind locked doors” (John 20:19). Suddenly, Jesus came and stood among them, showing them that He had risen from the dead! But Thomas wasn’t there. So, when the other disciples told Thomas they’d seen Jesus, Thomas didn’t believe it. But then, Jesus appeared again and said to Thomas, “Look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side” (verse 27). Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (verse 28).

When Thomas questioned if Jesus had really come back to life, Jesus didn’t shy away from his questions. Instead, Jesus invited Thomas to come close, to see and feel with his own eyes and hands that Jesus had risen bodily from the grave.

In the same way, God is big enough to handle our doubts and questions. He invites us to come close to receive answers—and to experience His goodness for ourselves. • Naomi Zylstra

• Have you experienced doubts in your faith recently? What have they been about? Consider taking some time to bring these to Jesus. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with about your questions, frustrations, and fears?

“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 (NLT)