Doubt

Some folks live in a sea of doubt. I call it a sea because the sea tosses to and fro and is restless and restless is the feeling that doubting God will give us. Most Christians at some point doubt their salvation, doubt that God is a personal God who cares deeply for them, and sadly even doubt God’s very existence. I experience frustration with my inability to always understand what God wants me to do, but fortunately I no longer have doubts as described above.

How can you achieve peace and know for sure that God is who the Bible says He is? I suggest that it must start with prayer. I like to go somewhere quiet and away from the day to day and spend some time with God one on one. Jesus and others through the Bible often went into the desert, or up on a mountain for serious prayer. I like to walk out on a dock by the ocean, especially at daylight or night, or go out alone on a boat far out on the ocean. It really does not matter. The important thing is to devote some serious time alone to quietly converse with God. Prayer should not be all about petitioning for what we want. We should also thank Him for what He has already done in our lives and praise His name. We were put on this earth for His pleasure, not vice versa.

Another thing that will be helpful to remove doubt is Bible study. Many of the greatest saints in the Bible at one time or other doubted God. Most of us readily recognize in Matthew 28:19 when Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, and established the “Great Commission”; however in the preceding verse in Matt. 28:17 the Bible tells us that, “When they saw Him they worshipped Him, but SOME DOUBTED”. Imagine doubting a resurrected Jesus Christ who appeared to you and who spoke directly to you! The Bible is full of such momentary lapses by solid Christians, so do not be discouraged if you worship an unseen God and have occasional doubts too. Reading the Bible will help you to see how they overcame their doubts and some later went on to willingly sacrifice their very lives in order to spread the word of Christ and fulfill Jesus’ “Great Commission”.

Finally fellowship with other Christians will provide encouragement. It is very encouraging to me to be around other Christians, especially people whom I deeply respect. Join a Sunday school class and attend church regularly. This will provide the nourishment that we all need.

Peace can come, but we must do our part…Earnest prayer-Bible study-Fellowship with other Christians



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Matt.28:19

Go therefore and make disciples

of all the nations, baptizing

them in the name of the Father and

of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all

things that I have commanded you;

and lo I am with you always, even

to the end of the age.

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