Week One Part 2 - Day Two: Facing Doubt

It sounds counter-productive, I know, but because of what we said about doubt yesterday, even though this project is a faith exercise, we need us to begin it by looking at doubt. In fact, I really think we have to learn to deal with our doubts constructively before our faith can operate freely. I also think constructively dealing with our doubts can create the space within which God will grow our faith.

That needs to be explained, I know. But before we actually begin to look at doubt constructively, we must admit that doubt is not a good thing. In fact, it gets a very bad review in the Bible. For instance, James deals very unkindly with doubt.

Look at James 1:2-8 right now. Consider these questions as you look at this passage.

(2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (6) But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (7) That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

– James 1:2-8

• Based on verse 2, what kind of conditions might the recipients of this letter be facing?
• I suggest to you that these are optimal conditions for doubt. If our lives were always wonderful, I doubt if doubt would ever occur to us. That may suggest to us that doubt has something to do the very nature of reality: it ain’t perfect. There is confusion, uncertainty and disappointment built into reality’s fabric. What does that say about doubt? (More about this later in the week, but linger for an answer anyway.)
• In verse 3, James talks about the “testing of your faith.” How does this relate to doubt? (Side note: I made no promises about how hard or easy these questions would be. But don’t cheat. Try to push out some real answers before you launch on your day. Remember, we’re “eating” spiritually and it will serve us in the long run.)
• I love verse 5. Not only does God give generously, but He doesn’t “find fault.” If God is giving you a break, go ahead and give yourself one.
• Having said that, what is the result of doubt?

Dealing With Doubt Constructively

Okay, it seems like doubt is not a good thing. So why should we try to deal with it constructively?

Let’s begin by admitting that even though doubt is not a good thing it is an almost universal thing. It is a part of our emotional and spiritual landscape. It doesn’t help to deny it or ignore it. Think about it. If you don’t agree, then let me challenge you to think about worry. Worry is really a form of doubt. If you were absolutely sure, without any questions, without any reservations, then you would not be worried – ever. And at its deepest source impatience is also a form of doubt. Doesn’t impatience amount to saying “what if it doesn’t happen”? At least some of the time that’s what our impatience is. And that sounds like doubt to me.

I have known a few people who did not seem to doubt; or not very often anyway. The Bible actually talks about the gift of faith. Perhaps these people have had that gift.

But for the overwhelming majority of us, doubting happens. And we have got to deal with it constructively because our other strategies for dealing with it are not honest and they do not work in the long run. Pretending that it isn’t there certainly will not make it go away. Gritting our teeth and trying to force it away will not send it away. Doubt has to be faced!

So, how do we look at doubt constructively? We must begin by facing our doubts. This is part one of a three-part strategy that we will employ over the next two weeks:

1. face our doubts;
2. doubt our doubts; and
3. examine what we believe.

Before You Begin Your Day

1. Before we leap into our day, let’s do some introspection. Are you worried about anything right now? What kinds of things do you typically worry about?
   1. Linger over these feelings for a moment.
   2. See if you can get in touch with the doubt that may lie behind your worries. For example, if I am worried about one of my children’s safety I may be doubting God’s goodness or His sovereignty.
2. Are there things that typically cause you to doubt?
   1. Death? Science? Uncertainty? Disappointment? Suffering? National Geographic specials? Empty prayers?
   2. Again, linger over these feelings for a moment. I’m not asking you to conjure up the experience of doubt here, just to identify when and/or how it occurs for you.
3. Pray
   1. Ask God to give you the courage to face your doubts head on.
   2. Ask God to show you more of what He is really like.

Comments (2)

Doubt

1Tuesday, 28 September 2010 08:26

Lee Ann Howdershell

It's true that worry, anxiety, etc. are different forms of doubt. I have thought about prayer in that way -- the reason I don't pray more must be because I really don't believe or I doubt that anything will come of it. If I really believed that God has good things for me, I would be on my knees and I would be free of worry/anxiety. I also would not try to control events and figure them out on my own. Waiting for an answer would be easy -- I might even anticipate it, knowing that God has something great in store for me.

doubt

2Tuesday, 28 September 2010 16:39

gccterri

i agree, leeann. it's amazing how much i can justify because it sounds good and responsible when it really just comes down to my doubting that God really wants the best for me. looking at it objectively, it seems that life would be much more attractive if i really believed what my heart knows, but my sin continues the thought process that i really do know better than God. the times when i call on God first are always the times i experience rays of hope.

yvComment v.1.25.3