Doubt what should i do with my doubts

Clouds enshrouded life for months on end. It was winter in Vancouver, and the painful loss of daylight further punctuated the questions that occupied my heart and mind. Recently married and transplanted from the cocoon of a small Christian community to an eclectic West Coast city, I swirled in the transition and culture shock. Adding to the complexity, my husband and I found ourselves sinking in the depths of a mental health crisis. Doubts crept in. I began to wonder whether I should even ask such accusatory questions.

Do they threaten my faith? A narrative within many Christian communities whispers that life with Jesus progresses in a victorious straight line. Scripture guides us on both sides of the picture. With the exception of Nicodemus, they never asked questions to understand. They asked questions to try to entrap Jesus. On the flip side, the Bible overflows with examples of far-from-perfect people who respond to God with honesty and humility. For each of them, questions and doubts were part of the process of growing into maturity.

Not once do we see God turn His back on the questioner. I still ask questions, especially when life gets hard. I see now that God cares about our uncertainties as much as He cares about our moments of courage, sorrow and joy. God welcomes your doubts because, in His mysterious love, He wants the real you to know, love and honor the real Him.

And that takes a lifetime of mutual pursuit, which will undoubtedly involve asking questions along the way. If you have more questions, consider resources that explore the specific doubts or questions you may still have about Christianity:.

As the mother of small children, I nursed a familiar feeling of dread each morning. I found time early in the morning to be alone with God. One day, God interrupted my efforts. Christians tend to fear doubt because they believe doubt is a road-block to deep faith.

The truth is that doubt often leads to faith. What is Christianity? Learn the basics of what Christians believe. Dealing with Life's Questions Explore answers to life's biggest questions.

Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith. Spiritual Growth Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. Bible Studies Find resources for personal or group Bible study. The Bible book, Matthew, tells how Jesus walked across the surface of a lake and invited Peter to get out of his boat and join him. At first Peter also walked on the water but then became frightened and started to sink.

In the Old Testament — the part of the Bible before Jesus Christ is born — there are occasions when very significant figures doubt the promises that God has made to them. In the Bible book, Genesis, Abraham and Sarah cannot believe they will have a child as God has promised, because they are elderly. But then Isaac is born. Later, in the book of Exodus, Moses doubts he is the man to lead the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt. But he is — and he does.

A Christian who experiences doubt is in good company! Doubt is not the end of faith. Christians are encouraged to simply believe — but not to believe simply. It is like refining a metal by burning off the impurities. The result of a strengthened and deepened faith can benefit others who are experiencing doubt. Note that the author is the same Peter whose doubt once left him sinking into a lake beside Jesus. Doubt can arise from various causes: misunderstanding the Bible or Christian teaching; confusion because of incorrect Christian teaching or relying on feelings rather than facts.

Christians facing doubt can seek answers from a vast range of teaching resources in print and online. They can also speak to other Christians who are more experienced in the faith. It is important that a Christian experiencing doubt is taken seriously and listened to with care and compassion so that the root of the doubt can be discovered. One story in the Bible book, Mark, neatly illustrates how doubt can be seen as being in two minds.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Contact me: openbibleinfo at gmail. Cite this page : Editor: Stephen Smith. Publication date: Nov 11, Publisher: OpenBible.