Dealing with Doubt

Dealing with Doubt
Have you ever doubted God? At some point we probably all have. Doubts often come creeping in when our expectations aren’t met. Usually when we believe God will act a certain way, but He doesn’t. Then we start to question His love and wonder whether He truly has our best interest at heart. How should we deal with doubt? Here are some sound principles for dealing with doubts!
First: discern the cause of your doubt. Is your doubt being caused because God isn’t behaving like you think He should in your life. It’s a big mistake to think of God as a genie or a divine bellhop who responds to our every beck and call. Our loving God is not like that, He says “my ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9).
Second: share your doubts with another mature Christian. When we are separated from others and feel all alone, our doubts become larger and more ominous. That’s why it is so important to be in church and not just be a spectator but be engaged with other worshipers who can help you and encourage you whenever you stumble or falter in your faith. That is the value of being a part of the body of believers, we must never forget “iron sharpens iron” as Proverbs 27:17 tells us.
Finally: view your doubt as an opportunity to grow. James 1:3 says that “the testing of your faith produces endurance.” That is also true about doubt. If you respond to doubt the right way, then it can actually make your faith stronger. Remember that our doubts never diminish God’s love for us. Friends, even when doubts creep in, or when your faith flounders and you struggle to believe in God, He still believes in you, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2Tim. 2:13). Remember these comforting words when dealing with doubt!
Grace and peace always,
Fr. Greg+

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