Bring Your Doubts to Jesus

When the now famous Jean-Henri Merle d'Aubigne (Swiss Protestant minister and historian of the Reformation) was a student he was oppressed with doubts, and went to an old, experienced teacher for help.

The old man refused to answer them, saying, "Were I to rid you of these others would come. There is a shorter and more effective way of destroying them. Let Christ be to you really the Son of God, the Savior, and His light will dispel the darkness, and His Spirit will lead you into all truth." That is still the only way to dispel our doubts.   -Bowes

I'd like to talk about a topic that is not discussed very often: Doubt. As such, it is an unfamiliar topic to most people, even though there are whole books of the Bible that deal with the issue of doubt in various ways — Job, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Habakkuk. Many of the psalms touch on the theme of doubt, and feeling abandoned by God.

I don’t know how a person can be a Christian and not have doubts from time to time. Faith requires doubt in order to be faith. If you ever arrive at a place where all your doubts are gone, and all your questions are answered, take a deep breath and relax because you've arrived in heaven!

We all doubt from time to time. Doubt itself is not sinful or wrong. It often can be the catalyst to new spiritual growth. As I have pondered the matter, I have concluded that our doubts tend to fall into three categories:

First, there are intellectual doubts. These are doubts most often raised by those outside the Christian faith. Is the Bible the Word of God? Is Jesus the Son of God? Did he really rise from the dead?

Second, there are spiritual doubts. These tend to be the doubts of those inside the church. Am I really a Christian? Have I truly believed? Why is it so hard to pray? Why do I still feel guilty? Why is it taking me so long to get better?

Third, there are circumstantial doubts. This is the largest category because it encompasses all the “whys” of life. Why did my child die? Why did my marriage break up? Why can’t I find a husband? Why did my friend betray me? Where was God when my uncle was abusing me?

These are the questions we meet at the intersection of biblical faith, and the pain of living in a fallen world. In my experience these are toughest doubts of all, and we tend, sometimes, to sweep them under the rug and to put down those in the church who struggle with these issues.

But, when we refuse to deal with circumstantial doubts, they soon become spiritual doubts, and those spiritual doubts eventually become intellectual doubts. And then people start leaving the church altogether.

Doubt is not sinful but it can be dangerous. It can also be a spur to enormous spiritual growth. It’s what you do with your doubt that matters. Here are some suggestions about how to handle your doubt.

1) Admit your doubts and ask for help. That’s what John the Baptist did. God is not fragile. He can handle your doubts, your fears, your worries, and all your unanswered questions. He’s a big God. He runs the universe without any help. Your doubts won’t upset him. Tell him your doubts, cry out and ask for his help.

2) Don’t be afraid to “borrow” some faith. When you find yourself filled with doubts, go find someone filled with faith and “borrow” some of theirs. It works!

3) Act on your faith, not your doubts. That’s what Noah did when he built the ark.That’s what Abraham did when he offered Isaac. That’s what Moses did when he marched through the Red Sea on dry ground. That’s what David did when he faced Goliath. They took a deep breath, decided to trust God, and they acted on their faith and not on their doubts. Do the same thing and your faith will continually grow stronger.

4) Doubt your doubts, not your faith. This simply means that you should not cast away your faith simply because you are in the deep valley of darkness. All of us walk into that valley from time to time. Some of us spend a great deal of time there. But when you find yourself in that valley where all is uncertain and you are sorely tempted to give in to your doubts, fears and worries, remember these two words.

Keep walking. Just keep walking. Nothing is gained by camping out in the valley of darkness. The only way out is to keep on walking. Every step forward is a way to “doubt your doubts.” Soon enough the light will shine again.

5) Keep going back to what you know to be true. In times of trouble, keep going back to what you know to be true. Life has a way of knocking us down a few pegs. Obviously, we don't know all the answers. But what I know, I really know. I have a handful of convictions that cannot be shaken. I would include in that short list these truths:

God is good, Jesus is Lord, the Bible is true, life is short, every day is a gift, people matter more than things, fame is fleeting, this world is not my home, and even hard times are meant for my benefit. And at the core of my faith is an unshakable belief in the sovereignty of God. He’s God and I’m not. He is sovereign over all the details of my life, and I can trust him completely even when those details seem to be spinning out of control.

Whatever you take with you from this message, I hope you understand this: God never turns an honest doubter away. Never. Come to him with your doubts, your skepticism, your unbelief, your hard questions, your uncertainties. He welcomes your hardest questions.

Doubt is not a sin. It’s what you do with your doubt that makes all the difference. Don’t let your doubts keep you from Jesus. Come to him just as you are—and bring your doubts with you. He will not turn you away.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8; James 1:6; Matthew 21:21; Jude 1:22; Matthew 14:31; Luke 24:38; Proverbs 3:5

Prayer: Lord, in every need let me come to You with humble trust saying, "Jesus, help me." In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations, Jesus, help me. In hours of loneliness, weariness, and trials, Jesus, help me. Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls, and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus, help me and never forsake me. Amen

May God bless you,

Eileen