Doubt has plagued the people of God since the Garden of Eden when Eve doubted God’s Word (Genesis 3:2-6). Sarah doubted she could birth a child in her old age (Genesis 18:9-12). Gideon’s poor self-image caused him to doubt God could possibly use him to rescue Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6:15). Thomas doubted Jesus’ appearance to his fellow disciples after His death and burial (John 20:24-25). Like Thomas, we often forget everything the Lord has already done for us when the next challenge comes along.
There is an ongoing struggle between faith and doubt. You cannot have faith without doubt. Philosopher and theologian Paul Tillich said, “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith. Doubt gives evidence of faith’s existence.” You can only doubt what you already believe. Doubt is the questioning of faith. Like children, we learn God’s truth by asking Him questions. But you must learn to ask the right questions. Search God’s Word and seek His presence. God will respond to your questions. Without doubt, you are not walking in genuine faith. A faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted.
Being a Christian does not make you immune from doubt. Doubt will infiltrate your life when you live by sight and your emotions. II Corinthians 5:7 instructs us to walk by faith and not sight. With the passage of time, doubt can seep into your thoughts and spill out into your speech. Impatience comes and lack of faith follows. Delay does not mean denial. It is imperative to understand that God operates through process and in His time and ways, not yours. God’s ways do not always make sense (Isaiah 55:8-9). Constantly check in with God during the process.
When Jesus appeared to Thomas after His resurrection, He did not condemn Thomas for doubting. Rather, He spoke truth into Thomas’ doubts. Jesus’ response to doubt was, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Jesus did not abandon Thomas when he doubted. He showed up in the midst of Thomas’ doubts. It was during a time of doubt that Thomas experienced a revelation of Jesus’ divinity and he exclaimed, “My Lord, and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus never condemns you for doubting. Instead, He challenges your doubts.
Satan sows seeds of doubt into your mind that feeds off your insecurities. Whatever you feed grows. Doubt is a weed that chokes off faith. The salvific work of Jesus Christ has equipped and empowered you to overcome every doubt.
Please join me for next week’s discussion on ways to combat and overcome doubt.
Until next time…Be blessed!
Rev. Cynthia Jackson, Rhema Inspirations
Rev. Cynthia Jackson is the administrator of the Rhema4U Blog and Innovations Ministries Director. Rev. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was licensed and ordained under the tutelage of Bishop David G. Evans. She is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Rev. Jackson founded Innovations Ministries in 2001. Innovations Ministries provides dynamic and innovative programs and services for individuals and families dealing with various health-related issues. She is a gifted teacher, preacher, conference speaker and writer. God has anointed Rev. Jackson to be a spiritual midwife with a passion to empower others to birth God's vision for their lives. Rev. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University.
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