Doubt is a common experience in the faith journey that affects every believer at one point or another. It can be unsettling, frustrating, and even frightening to question the very foundation of our beliefs. But it is also an opportunity to strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with God.
Allow me to take you back to a time when doubt was not just a concept but a reality for one of the most influential apostles in the early church. Thomas, also known as Didymus, was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ. He witnessed countless miracles, heard the teachings of the Master firsthand, and was present at the Last Supper.
However, after Jesus was crucified, Thomas struggled with doubt. When the other disciples told him that they had seen Jesus alive, Thomas famously said, in John 20:25, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Thomas' doubt may seem surprising, given all that he had experienced with Jesus. But it is a reminder that even those closest to Jesus can struggle with doubt. Doubt can stem from a variety of sources, including personal experiences, past traumas, negative self-talk, and influences from others. It can also come from the world around us, with all its suffering, injustice, and pain.
But doubt is not something to be feared or ashamed of. It is an opportunity to seek truth, grow in faith, and draw closer to God.
Overcoming Doubts in Your Faith Journey
I gave my life to Christ on my 10th birthday. It happened in my bedroom without anyone else present, and I felt the divine presence of God that day. I have since had so many spiritual encounters that have helped me build my personal relationship with God.
However, there are times when I struggle with doubt. There have been difficult times when I came face-to-face with the most challenging situations, but I'm glad that my faith and the grace of the Living God saw me through.
Let me share an experience I had when I was much younger and living with my dad and stepmother, who hated me:
At one time, I used to have trouble sleeping at night. There was a dreadful voice that always whispered to me, "Tonight you will die!" and I would be afraid to shut my eyes till daybreak.
This continued for weeks, and I couldn't tell anyone—my dad never listened to me. But one day in church, a woman shared a testimony about how she overcame a demonic encounter during the recent revival service. So, I approached my pastor and narrated my experience as well. He prayed for me, and I felt a sense of relief and hoped that I would be fine. But that didn't happen; instead, things got worse.
From the night of the prayer, the threat became worse. I now began to feel the presence of a demonic being in my room, daring me to shut my eyes and die! It was so real that I would tremble and pray until morning without sleeping.
I couldn't go back to the pastor because I knew things would only get worse. After all, it was like I was constantly stalked by this demonic entity. I couldn't tell my stepmother either because she was the kind of woman who literally wished I had never existed. I soon began to doubt if God or anyone else could save me. I even thought the woman from church lied about her deliverance because the pastor's prayer didn't work for me.
But one evening, I dozed off while doing my homework. And I saw a figure in my dream; he held my hand and wrote something in a strange language on my book. He also read the words to me in a strange language with a calm smile on his face. Then I woke up to realize that I had written Psalms 118 in my book in handwriting that was clearly not mine. This was an experience I will never forget. I hurried into my room, picked up my Bible, opened Psalms 118, and began reading, but when I got to verse 17, which reads, "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord," I burst into tears, and I began proclaiming this verse repeatedly. I immediately felt a deep sense of courage and relief in my spirit.
Night came, and as usual, this foul spirit was back, but this time I could see the figure clearly as he charged toward me. He was so scary and obviously furious at me. I suddenly couldn't speak or move. It felt like I was completely paralyzed and like a powerful force was pressing me down. My eyes were wide open as I watched him chanting death threats at me. I was utterly helpless and was about to give up when I recalled the Scripture I had read earlier, and I began to say, ”I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord!” in my mind since my lips could not physically move. I was surprised that he could hear me even though I was not speaking out loud. I kept confronting him repeatedly with this Scripture in my spirit and with faith. After some minutes, he seemed to be gradually losing his grip on me, and the moment I could speak out, I screamed repeatedly, ”I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord!” Eventually, he vanished, and I regained my strength, got out of bed, and prayed till I fell asleep. And that was the last I saw of him. I slept peacefully and deeply for the first time in many weeks.
From that day on, I learned that when all hope seems lost, that is the perfect moment to hang on to faith instead of giving in to doubt.
Struggling with doubt can be a difficult and painful experience for any believer. The devil uses doubt to make us question our confidence in Christ.
Doubt also makes us question the saving power of God, leaving us defenseless and vulnerable. It can feel like we are in the midst of a storm with no clear direction or anchor to hold onto. Psalm 46:1 reminds us, though, that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Strategies for Overcoming Doubt
Today, I want to share tips and strategies for overcoming doubt in your faith journey:
The first step in conquering doubt is to recognize and acknowledge it. It can be easy to ignore or push aside doubts, hoping they will go away on their own. But the reality is that doubts can fester and grow over time, affecting our relationship with God and our overall well-being. It takes courage to admit our doubts, but it is the first step in seeking the truth and finding a way forward.
We can also overcome doubts by seeking guidance from trusted sources. This can include pastors, mentors, and other believers who have walked through similar struggles. It can also include reading books and listening to sermons that address our doubts and provide insights and perspectives we may not have considered before. As Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety."
Reframing negative thoughts and emotions is another powerful strategy for conquering doubt. Feelings of fear, anxiety, and despair can often accompany doubt. It can be helpful to recognize and challenge these thoughts, replacing them with positive affirmations and biblical promises. Psalm 42:11 boldy questions, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
Past traumas can also be a source of doubt. When we have experienced hurt or trauma, it can be difficult to trust in God's goodness and faithfulness. We may wonder why He allowed these things to happen, or trauma can make us feel that we are somehow unworthy of His love and care.
However, it is important to remember that God is a God of healing and restoration. Psalm 147:3 says, "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." God is not indifferent to our pain and suffering, but rather He is present with us in our struggles and is working to bring about healing and wholeness in our lives.
Negative self-talk can also contribute to doubt. When we have negative thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, it can be easy to project those beliefs onto God and assume that He feels the same way about us. For example, if we struggle with feelings of unworthiness, we may assume that God sees us as unworthy and unlovable.
However, it is important to remember that God's love for us is not based on our worthiness or merit but on His character and nature. 1 John 4:10 reminds us: "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." God's love for us is unconditional and unchanging, and nothing can separate us from that love.
Building a Strong Foundation for Faith
Building a solid foundation of faith is essential for overcoming doubt and growing your relationship with God.
Developing a personal relationship with God is also crucial for building a solid foundation for faith. John 17:3 says, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Knowing God and Jesus Christ is not just a matter of intellectual understanding, but also of developing a personal relationship with them. This includes prayer, repentance, and seeking to live by God's will. By cultivating a personal relationship with God, you can experience the transformative power of faith in your life and develop the confidence and resilience to overcome doubt.
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