Do you ever struggle with doubts?

Today I was reading the news on a major network news site and clicked on a link that said “Mama June” from the show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (I’ve only watched 1 episode … really), had lost 100 pounds without dieting or exercising. I clicked the link and it ended up being an infomercial by Dr. Oz for a plant supplement that grows in Southern Asia. “100 pounds without exercising or dieting”; if something seems too good to be true it usually is.

In John 20:24-29 we read of the resurrected Christ appearing to the disciples in the Upper Room. Before He does, the disciples start telling Thomas that they have seen Him alive, but to Thomas it seems too good to be true and he doubts. Then the Lord shows up and everything changes. In your faith life some who are reading this are struggling with doubts. I believe Thomas’ doubts ended up being one of his greatest assets. Sincere doubts, that are handled properly, can leave your faith stronger. So what should you do if your faith life is plagued with doubts?

1. Acknowledge your doubts – We tend to ignore or at least pretend the doubts aren’t there; or as a minimum keep them hidden from others. We do this because we associate doubts with weak faith. But I believe doubts can also be a sign of growing faith. I need to explain what I mean by doubt here. Doubt to me means you are undecided or wavering between two positions. Unbelief on the other hand is a willful decision to stand against the truth. There are a number of reasons we have doubts. Maybe its intellectualism that causes you to wrestle with doubt; you have learned things that challenge what you believe. Maybe its emotionalism. “Mountain top faith” is not sustainable; there would be no mountains unless there are also valleys nearby. Maybe for you it is comparisons where you look at others and wonder why God seems to be treating you differently. Or maybe it’s a life situation where things have not gone the way you expected and now you are plagued by doubts. First you must acknowledge their existence.
2. Look to God for help – When the names of certain bible characters are mentioned there is a descriptor that is immediately attached to their name. Examples would be Judas the one who betrayed Jesus; Noah the one who built the ark; Thomas the one who doubted. Do you realize the bible is filled with people of faith who doubted? Genesis 18 Sarah laughed when God said she was going to have a baby in her old age. Peter walked on water until he took his eyes off the Lord and looked at the storm around him and began to sink. Jesus said of John the Baptist there was no greater man born of woman. This same John, who said of Jesus when He came to be baptized, that He was the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” later when imprisoned sends word to Jesus asking “Are you the One, or should I seek another?” Doubts! Don’t miss this. Where was Thomas when he doubted? He was with the other disciples. Were all of his questions answered before the Lord showed up? No but Thomas put himself in a position where God could answer them. Don’t give up on the church or Christian friends because of your doubts. Acknowledge your doubts, then turn to God for help, and finally … 
3. Accept what God offers – What was it Thomas needed? I believe in light of the crucifixion what he needed most was comfort and reassurance. And what does the Lord offer? When Jesus enters the room in verse 26 He says, “Peace to you.” Jesus could have scolded Thomas with something like “After three years of seeing what you have seen you doubt Me?” Jesus could have said He was “hurt” by Thomas’ unbelief, or He could have shamed him for a lack of faith. But instead Jesus responds with grace. He allows Thomas to touch and thus exercise his doubts. Thomas then made one of the greatest professions of faith ever; “My Lord, and my God.”

Today Thomas is often referred to as “Doubting Thomas.” But that’s not what history records of Thomas. Thomas, after this encounter with Jesus ends up a missionary in India where one he’s martyred for his faith by an angry mob that threw him off of a cliff. Today if the devil is attaching the descriptor “doubting” next to your name acknowledge the fact that you do have doubts, but don’t stop there. Bring those doubts to God and receive what He offers you. Your struggle with doubt today doesn’t have to be a thing of weakness. It can be one of those times of great growth in your life. Like Thomas, it’s not where you are right now today that matters as much as where the Lord can and will take you by faith.