Many followers of Christ have times in their lives when they have doubts and questions they can’t answer.  This isn’t something that is new to our day.  There are whole books of the Bible that deal with the issue of doubt in various ways.  Books like Job, Psalms, Jeremiah, Lamentations and Habakkuk.  Some people think doubt is unforgivable but it isn’t.  God doesn’t condemn us when we have doubts.

Scriptures

Psalm 10:1; Psalm 42:9; Matthew 11:2-3; Matthew 11:7-11; John 1:29; John 1:34; John 6:28-29; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Timothy 1:12

Verse

Why, O Lord, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1

Thought

Doubts fall into three categories.  First, there are intellectual doubts.  These are doubts most often raised by those outside the Christian faith.  Second, there are spiritual doubts.  These tend to be doubts of people who have embraced the Christian faith.  And finally there are circumstantial doubts.  This is the largest category because it encompasses all the “whys” of life.  Doubt isn’t a sin.  It’s what we do with our doubt that makes all the difference.

Questions

Have you ever experienced doubt in your Christian walk?  Did your doubts ever cause you to feel guilty for having them?  When they come, what do you do with your doubts?  Did your doubts ever make you feel alienated from God?

Response

Doubt isn’t sinful but it can be dangerous to your spiritual health.  Here are five suggestions about how to handle doubt: 1. Admit your doubts and ask for help.  2. Don’t be afraid to borrow some faith.  3. Act on your faith and not on your doubts.  4.  Doubt your doubts and not your faith.  5. Keep going back to what you know to be true.

Prayer

Dear Jesus.  Thank you that you can handle my doubts and questions and don’t condemn me for them.  I’m so glad that you have never turned an honest doubter away and you never will.  Thank you that I can bring every doubt to you and I don’t have to let them keep me from you.  I come to you just as I am and receive your love and mercy this day.  Amen.