What about doubt?
Sometimes we feel as if we’re barely holding things together; it’s like the wheels are in danger of coming off, or our anchor is adrift. So many metaphors—each capturing a general shakiness in our psyche.
Some people respond to times like these with solid, unshakeable faith. Don’t you love people like that! The way their spiritual autopilot kicks in. They might circle for a bit, but then so naturally turn homeward ... to God.
The wisdom of Philippians 4:6-7 is their experience and their joy: ‘Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything … then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.’ (CEV)
Others, however, find themselves daunted by doubt. Does God really care? Can I really pull off this faith thing, this faith-and-life-together thing? Am I letting the side down with my questions? And even, am I really a Christian if I feel or think this way?
Some people regard religious doubt as dangerous: fearing it might lead to either rejection of God or rejection from other Christians. But rather than weakening our faith, doubt can be the making of it. As writer Tim Stafford observes: ‘Your doubts can lead to a deeper understanding of God, for his answers will seldom be just the kind your were expecting. If your beliefs are shallow, then they will have to be dredged deeper. If the skeleton of your faith has grown crooked, bones may have to be broken before they can be reset. It will hurt. But don’t be afraid: broken bones set stronger.’
The Bible carries accounts of people who doubted, so it’s clearly not a taboo subject. It also contains reassurances that are at their most timely when we’re facing questions (see Psalm 42:5; 2 Corinthians 11:23-12:10; Philippians 4:19; 1 Peter 5:6-7). God doesn’t deny doubt; he offers comfort and hope.
We will all doubt sometimes, but God doesn’t want doubt to rule the day. He doesn’t want us lost in a landscape of shaky uncertainty. But neither does he want doubt to be an excuse for avoidance: a reason to shut out other Christians, to stop praying, or to ignore the Bible’s truth.
To deal honestly and constructively with our doubts it can help to talk to someone about what’s going on in our heart and our head. But we may simply need to take a little time out. Doubts grow when we’re tired, especially if we’re tired because we’re in the middle of a crisis. So rest is often a good first step, Stafford suggests.
If our doubts are intellectual, they might be an invitation to some serious study. Jesus said we are to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind (Luke 10:27), which means our reasoning is clearly meant to kick in somewhere along the way. If we pursue our questions until we’re satisfied then our faith can become firmer and less superficial. And that can make us more useful to others.
Most of all, God wants us to understand that we don’t have to doubt alone. It’s a little like a toddler chattering away while sitting on a parent’s lap; it’s okay to hurl our questions at the world when we’re resting in a safe place.
from War Cry magazine