My life standard is the Bible. I find in the Bible that John the Baptist doubted, yet Jesus pronounced His great compliment about John (Matt. 11:11; Luke. 7:28). Then I read that the great apostle, Thomas, had even more radical doubt. Yet in spite of Jesus’ rebuke for his doubt. it led to Thomas’ glorious recognition of Jesus’ deity (John. 20:28).
At any rate, it appears to be evident that doubt can lead to positive growth in the believer’s life.
I'm frankly tired of "plastic" Christianity that implies that once I believe in Jesus Christ as Savior all my problems straighten out and I have life totally under control. No...no...no...that is not my experience.
Christian doubt, defined as a lack of certainty concerning the teachings of Christianity or one’s relation to them, is a very common and painful problem affecting many believers. The doubt is enough to deal with; we don't need to be battling guilt along with the normal doubt. So, if you have some real doubts about things going on in your life in December of 2008; know that God is with you and you are not out of His good presence because you have some doubts.
God will equip you in His Word, and through Holy Spirit and good counselors to work through and conquer your doubts. You will experience renewed peace as you come through your doubts. I'll even state that you and I will probably have a stronger faith because of our honest working out our doubts.
Yes, I doubt at times.....Oh, and Yes, I believe with all that is in me everything the Bible says about my beginning and my end. My doubts are real, my faith is real and my peace is coming back; but please give me some space for my honest healthy doubts!!!
2 comments:
Oh, Oh, Oh!!
You and I must be on the same page!!!
I LOVE WHEN THIS HAPPENS!!!
I have been floudering around like a fish out of water for several days--questioning: Why, why, why?
And this is completely out of my control. And just this morning, I gave it all back to God (AGAIN!!!) --this time forever and ever. AMEN
But, there are those that think that because we are Christians that from here on out everything will run nice and smoothly for us, and that is not the case at all.
God uses these times, these moments of conflict, of doubts, our questioning "why" to strengthen our faith and trust in Him.
I know that other times will occur in my life--I don't expect everything to run smoothly, but I know that God will never leave me where I am, He will always be there for me, search for me.
In fact, God doesn't want us to stay where we are right at this given moment. He wants us to change, to grow in Him, and sometimes that takes some pain, some hurt and some sorrow--some letting go of things that we hold precious and dear to us.
God's plans and purposes are not MY plans and purposes--His are such much greater, so much higher than mine. How can I even think I have this situation with my family in MY control?
Just give it up to God, AGAIN!! Yes, it hurts, but who do I turn to for comfort--MY JESUS!!
Beth
You are spot on!
I think building and keeping a relationship with God is no different than building and keeping a relationship with a friend or a spouse.
Without doubt in ANY relationship, that relationship will go stale. When I doubt I find myself thinking about God and Jesus a little more often. The questioning, the thinking, the doubting, will grow our relationship with God if we handle it correctly.
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