When I think about doubt, my mind wanders to one of the disciples of Jesus. His name was Thomas. For 2,000 years he has been nicknamed “Doubting Thomas.” 

We find the story in John 20. Jesus has been crucified. His 12 disciples are in hiding.  The doors are locked.  The resurrected Jesus had already appeared to his disciples.  But, you know, it doesn’t hurt to lock the doors!  We learn something interesting about Thomas.

He wasn’t with the disciples the first time Jesus appeared to them proving his resurrection.  They tell Thomas what had happened and he makes his famous statement, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

A week later Jesus appeared to the disciples again and this time Thomas was with them.  Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side,  Stop doubting and believe.”  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God.”

Like Thomas, all of us have times when we doubt God in some way. 
•Some of us question whether God would love and accept us.
•Some of us question whether the Bible can be completely trusted
•Sometimes we doubt because we can’t reconcile the world’s suffering with a loving God.
•Some struggle because in all of our difficulty and discouragement we can’t see God.

Here’s what we need to understand:
•Our faith is stronger because we have dealt with our doubts.
•Tested faith is the strongest kind of faith
•You will go through periods in your life where you will ask, “God, are you there?”  “God, are you going to answer my prayer?”  “God why is this happening in my life?”
•But as you sort through these things, as you investigate, your faith becomes stronger.

So, what should we do with our doubts?

1. Identify your doubts - When we get specific about our doubts that’s when God will help us work through them.  When I get specific about my doubts, I can look for answers in God’s Word.  I can talk with trusted friends.  I can read helpful books.  And most of my questions are answered.

C.S Lewis once wrote, “If ours is an examined faith, we should be unafraid to doubt.  If doubt is eventually justified, we were believing what clearly was not worth believing.  But if doubt is answered, our faith has grown stronger.  It knows God more certainly and it can enjoy God more deeply.

2. Discover the root of your doubts

Where are they coming from?
•Is it fear?
•Is it an incomplete understanding of God?
•Is it because we have based our faith on our feelings?

3. Don’t give up searching for answers

Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” 

4. Ask God to reveal himself to you

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 NIV)

If you are struggling with doubt, you can pray, you can study, you can ask God to reveal himself to you, you can read.  The answers are there.  God will use your doubts to deepen your faith.

Today’s Challenge: Identify your doubts and bring them to God. Ask for His reassurance. Study his Word. Look for the answers. Hold onto your faith in God. You may be in a difficult season, but you are not alone.

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