TTS

Doubt is simply not knowing something, not being sure. And it is inevitable because we are finite and sinful people who are called to trust in an infinite and perfect God. Also, it is a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something. When you doubt something you're wavering: I think I believe you, but maybe I don't.

Scripture shares how Abraham laughed at the thought of Sarah having a child at her old age. “I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her” (Genesis 17:16). God spoke and shared the news with Abraham. Abraham knew God, and yet he still doubted. “Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” (Genesis 17:17).

Most Christian face something in their lives that causes them to doubt their faith. Whether it is listening to people of other faiths describe their beliefs or facing a tragedy, there are times when doubts arise. Questioning your faith is something everyone experiences, and if you can overcome that doubt your faith can come out stronger than before you even asked the questions. Yet, how do you overcome that doubt? 

Understand the Doubt

First of all, remember that doubt is normal. Everyone has it from time to time. Yet, make sure you ask yourself where the doubt is coming from. Some people say that doubt comes from Satan. Maybe it does, but that simplifies the doubt to a point where it is easy to just let it fester. Get into the nitty-gritty of why you are questioning your faith. Is it because something bad happened? Is it because someone else of a different faith believes so strongly, and you don't think you are as passionate? Is it because God just seems so far away? Truly examine why you are in doubt so you can face those circumstances head-on. 

Pray About It

So, once you understand why you doubt your faith, you can begin to do something about it. The easiest way to deal with it is to pray about it. Spend some time alone with God talking it out. Let Him know what you are facing and ask him to strengthen your faith. Even if it is hard to believe He is listening, because sometimes He feels so far away when we have doubts, He is there. 

Ask for a Sign, but Don't Expect One

Sometimes, and not always, it can help to ask God to give you a sign he exists. Yet, be prepared that He may not do it. Gideon asked for a sign in Judges 6, and he got it.

“Soon afterward the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east formed an alliance against Israel and crossed the Jordan, camping in the valley of Jezreel. Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their warriors, and all of them responded. Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.” 

However, signs are sometimes more subtle and we miss them. Also, sometimes God just wants our unconditional faith. It may just be helpful to look at the everyday signs that God is with us. They can be called “everyday miracles,” like a helping hand or the sun shining in the sky. Sometimes we don't have to ask for signs, because they surround us everywhere. 

Talk To Someone About It

This action can be very difficult for many Christians because they fear the judgment of those around them. We may not want to talk to other believers, because we fear they will think less of us for our doubts. On the other hand, we don’t want to talk to non-believers, because we fear we will only cause them to doubt more. 

Do Your Research

If talking is not your thing, then you may look into doing some research in order to quell the questions running through your mind. The Bible is a great place to start. Look up scripture about things you question. If you still have doubts, look at books, podcasts, articles, and lectures that address what you need to know. While none of those things may answer your questions definitively, they can help guide you toward your own answers. In the end, faith is still a matter of believing in something you cannot see. So, sometimes it is just a matter of overcoming the doubt by realizing you may not see what you think you want to see, but that you just have to have faith that one day God will show you. 

In conclusion, when the doubts tell us to distance ourselves from Jesus, one way we fight it is by drawing closer to him. We continue to hang out with him through his Word and in prayer, even when the doubts are not gone. The disciples modeled another way we can keep doubt from overcoming our faith: they worshipped.