Struggling With Doubt

Doubt can be an uncertainty that produces hesitation; it can be a questioning that leads to investigation; it can be a lack of confidence that leads to distrust and unbelief.  Of these three forms of doubt, only the last deserves rebuke. There is a broad spectrum of doubt: At one end is faith and at the other, unbelief.  If not stopped, waves of doubt can build until the breakers crash over your soul, leaving your faith "shipwrecked".  But you need not sink.

• "Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."  Mark 11:23
• "See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." Hebrews 3:12
• "holding onto faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith."  1 Timothy 1:19

Jesus' disciples were plagued by doubt. Yet Jesus patiently teaches them, loves them and cares for them. How is Jesus acting on your behalf when you doubt?  The disciples reached a point, however, when they are repeatedly confronted with truth yet continually doubt.  Jesus them rebukes them for their lack of faith. (Mark 16:9-13)

• Read John 20:24-29  Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared after his resurrection to the rest of the disciples. Perhaps Thomas did not believe the disciples story.  He couldnt respond in love and gentleness, "Put your finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side." Jesus offered tangible evidence to Thomas to strengthen and build his faith then told him, "Stop doubting and believe."
• When doubt assails you, examine your heart.  Is your doubt simply a mental questioning or testing? If so, don't berate yourself. Seem wisdom and continue to test all things.  If your doubt arises from hardness of heart, repent and ask God for greater faith.  Jesus is the "perfecter of faith". It is only through your trust in him that your faith will be built up and that your doubts will finally and fully be put to rest.

• "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5
• "but test them all; hold on to what is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21
• "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
• "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior" Titus 1:1-3