Week One Part 2 - Day Four: End of Day

Over the last two days, we’ve discussed two misconceptions about doubt. We’ve said that doubt is not the opposite of faith. And we’ve also said that doubt is a problem both for faith and for what we call knowledge. We’ve talked about this in an attempt to face our doubt. So, for those of us who struggle with doubt, are we ready to move beyond whatever doubts we may experience?

I doubt it!

Actually, I wonder if some us may be comfortable with our doubt. I wonder if this is what makes it so intractable for us. I’m not saying that we like to be worried or skeptical, but maybe that’s the only way we know how to operate.

I had a conversation with a friend one time about his excessive worry (all the time about everything). This guy did not think that his worry was related to doubt in any way, but he did acknowledge that worry was a problem for him. He even recognized that the people around him seemed to think it was a very big problem for him. (I don’t know if he saw how much of a problem it created, not just for himself, but for those around him.)

I asked him once what it would take to let it all go. “I don’t know how,” he said. And then in a moment of what I thought was profound clarity, he followed that by saying, “Besides it feels like if I’m not worried about it, who will”.

I told him I thought that it was very brave of him to reveal this sentiment and that it showed how deeply self aware he is. But it also showed how his worry is related to doubt. And it may even show how comfortable he is with his doubt. It can become like an old friend. And some friends are not very good for us, but we know them well and we’re comfortable with them, so...

1. Read Psalm 1.

   (1) Blessed is the man
          who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
          or stand in the way of sinners
          or sit in the seat of mockers.

   (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
          and on his law he meditates day and night.

   (3) He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
          which yields its fruit in season
          and whose leaf does not wither.
          Whatever he does prospers.

   (4) Not so the wicked!
          They are like chaff
          that the wind blows away.

   (5) Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
          nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

   (6) For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
          but the way of the wicked will perish.

   – Psalm 1

2. End your day by giving God permission to make you uncomfortable with your doubt or your worry or your despair.
3. Lights out!