Grace in Doubt - Regan Janzen
God is a good God, and that truth remains unchanged even when it does not feel that way. Doubt can creep into the mind when money is tight, when sadness is heavy, or when life does not look like God has good plans in it. Doubt is not the enemy of faith, though. Doubt can become the thing that makes a person search, like a scared little girl in the dark feeling around to make sure her dad is still there.
Hebrews says faith is “the assurance of things hoped for” and “the conviction of things not seen,” but that does not mean faith has no hard questions. Matthew says the kingdom belongs to those who become like children, and children ask a lot of questions. God is not frustrated by honest questions. Doubt can lead down two paths. Discouragement pulls away from God when the answers are not easy or not liked. Desperation reaches for God more deeply.
Job shows that man is not God. God asks, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” and the answer is clear. Man was not there. God has wisdom that is unfathomably more than human wisdom, so questions are allowed, but God remains God.
Jude calls believers to “contend for the faith,” and that word carries the idea of agony. Faith is a fight sometimes. The Bible does not hide that Sarah, Abraham, Israel, Gideon, John the Baptist, and Thomas all struggled in different ways. Their flaws are included because trials help people relate, and because doubt does not automatically disqualify faith.
Thomas gives a close picture of doubt. Thomas was loyal, even willing to die with Jesus, but he was also literal and analytical. When the other disciples said, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas refused to believe unless he saw the nail marks and put his hand into Jesus’ side. His skepticism stood against ten eyewitnesses, just as unbelief today stands against the testimony of the Gospels.
Jesus came through locked doors and did not shame Thomas. Jesus said, “Peace be with you,” then invited Thomas to see the wounds. Thomas answered with the most personal confession in the Gospels, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus then said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” and John says these things were written so that people may believe and have life in his name.
Trials can make a person ask why, but God can use those moments to say, “Come closer to me. Trust me. Feel around and see that I’m still here.” Doubt should not lead to isolation. Doubt should run to the Father, run to the Word, and run to godly people who show that God still cares.