Have you ever struggled with doubting God?

Most of us have doubted God, at one time or another, including some well known people in the Bible. It is something that is common to man, but it can have serious consequences, if we continue in our doubt.

Doubt is a lack of confidence or a feeling of uncertainty, and it’s a trap that Satan uses to keep us from believing God’s sovereign truth. This was something he used in the Garden of Eden, as he tempted Eve using doubt as his tool. Satan asks Eve, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1) Satan used doubt to lure Eve away from having confidence in the truth of what God had said. The consequence of Eve’s doubt affected all of humanity. Doubt is the opposite of faith, and God has told us we are to live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

If someone had made a hundred promises to you, and kept all one hundred, would you be inclined to believe what they tell you is the truth?

The amazing truth is . . . God has made hundreds of promises in the Bible and He has kept each and every one. Every prophecy about the coming Messiah, found it’s fulfillment in Jesus.

In Luke chapter one, we read a captivating story about a priest named Zechariah who had a struggle with doubt. He was to be the father of the man we know as, John the Baptist. We are told he and his wife Elizabeth, were righteous in the sight of God, as they observed all of the commandments of the LORD. They were old and had no children. Then one day, while serving in the Temple, Zechariah was visited by the angel Gabriel. He was sent by God to tell Zechariah that he and Elizabeth would soon have a baby boy, and they were to name him John (God is favorable). Gabriel said, “He will be great in the sight of the LORD, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he shall make ready a people prepared for the LORD” (Luke 1:15,17).

Imagine being visited by an angel of the LORD. Oh, how spectacular it would be! Then, imagine Zachariah’s amazement when Gabriel tells him that he and Elizabeth are going to have a baby! He doubted the angel God had sent, and because of his doubt Gabriel told him he would not be able to speak until after his son was born. Zachariah doubted God’s abilities based upon what he saw in front of him, his old age. He reasoned in his mind that it couldn’t be possible. When we allow our own reasoning to cloud our thoughts, instead of believing in faith what God has said, our doubts become sinful.

While doubt may be something that is common to man, if we continue reasoning in our minds and doubting God all the more, sadly we shall endure consequences. No matter how logical we may reason something to be, God has made foolish the wisdom of this world (1 Corinthians 1:20), and to believe our reasoning over God’s word is foolishness.

Faith is trusting God, even when what He has told us is in opposition to our reasoning. The Bible tells us that faith is, “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Having faith may not always be easy, but if we pray and ask GOD to help us have faith He will help us. Faith is a gift from God, and every gift must first be received.

”For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Doubts intensify when we begin to rely on our own reasoning.

The remedy for doubt, is faith. When we find ourselves beginning to doubt, we can pray and ask God for the help we need to believe. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Then, if we seek God in His word, our doubt is sure to subside.

“I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

Prayer, reading God’s word, and reflecting on times past when He has been faithful, have been a great comfort in my own struggles. Each time I experience doubting thoughts I’ve simply cried out to God asking Him to forgive me, and to help me overcome my unbelief, and He has. God is faithful, there is none like Him! The closer we draw to Him, the closer He draws to us.

There is no sin to big or small for God to forgive. Sin is sin, it’s all the same size in God’s eyes. We only need to humbly turn to Him and confess our wrong doing, then turn away from it, this is repentance. Unresolved doubt, can lead to much greater sin which can lead us away from the LORD all together. It’s important to repent, and restore our relationship with God as soon as possible.

If you would like prayer, or have any questions/concerns please feel free to comment. You may also send me a private email at: malinda@truthforreallife.com

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