What Do You Do With Doubt?

Questions about God can feel unsettling, especially when we think we're supposed to have everything figured out. But Scripture tells a different story.

In this episode of FaithFuel, Bob Shaw looks at how faithful believers throughout the Bible wrestled with uncertainty and why asking honest questions doesn't have to drive us away from God. Instead, those questions can become opportunities to know Him more deeply.

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Transcript

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Doubt isn't usually something people talk about very often, especially when those doubts are about God. I'm Bob Shaw, and this is Faith Fuel. One of the reasons doubt can feel so overwhelming is that it often feels lonely. You look at everybody else and they all seem so confident and certain. Meanwhile, you're sitting there wondering if you're the only one wrestling with questions, so you keep it to yourself. The Bible is filled with people who struggled in exactly that way. Take John the Baptist. He baptized Jesus. He pointed people to Jesus. He boldly declared who Jesus was. And yet later, sitting in prison, John sent messengers to ask Jesus, Are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? Wow. I mean if anyone seemed like they should have it all figured out, it was John. But there he was, asking questions. Then there's Thomas, sometimes referred to as doubting Thomas. He's remembered almost entirely for his doubts. Personally, I think he got a bad rap about that. Thomas wanted proof. He asked questions. I think there are a lot of people who can relate to that. And one of my favorite examples comes from Mark chapter 9. A father desperately wanted Jesus to heal his son. At one point he cried out, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief. I've always appreciated how honest that sounds. Part of him believed, part of him struggled. I suspect many of us understand exactly what he meant. When doubt shows up, our instinct is often to hide it, pretend it's not there, act like everything is fine. But Scripture shows people bringing their questions directly to God. Doubt isn't the same thing as walking away. Doubt keeps searching. It keeps asking. It wants answers. And God is not intimidated by honest questions. Eventually every believer encounters things they don't fully understand, why certain prayers seem unanswered, why suffering enters a family's life, and why things happen that don't make sense. Faith is not having every question resolved. Sometimes faith is continuing to trust God while you're still waiting for answers. Lord, thank you that you're not threatened by our questions. Help us bring our doubts to you instead of hiding them. Give us wisdom, understanding, and a deeper trust in you, even when we don't have every answer. In Jesus' name. Amen. If you've been wrestling with questions lately, remember that you're not the first believer to do so. Keep seeking God. Keep asking. Keep learning. And if you'd like a few minutes of encouragement each weekday, follow Faith Fuel and join me again for another devotional. I'm Bob Shaw. Peace and joy.