Doubt Paralyzes… “Moses answered, ‘What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Exodus 4:1
Moses experienced the “what if” trap. “What if” they do not believe me; and “what if” they do not listen to me? And several thousand years later we struggle with the same doubts. “What if” they reject me; “what if” they say no; “what if” they say yes; “what if” I fail; “what if” I am hurt; and “what if” they don’t understand? If God has led us thus far, and if His track record is one of faithfulness, aren’t we really saying, “what if God does not do what He said He will do?” Doubt detaches us from trust in the character of Christ.
If we are not careful, our beliefs and behavior can reflect this kind of irrational thinking about God. We really struggle at times (right before we take that step of faith), if God is really true to His word, and if He will really come through. Yet we know that God has never failed us. His timing may have been different that we expected, but He has not and He will not fail us. Knowing this, we still struggle with doubt. Why is this?
Doubt is a normal part of the trust process. We go through doubt on the way to trusting in the Lord. Even the most faithful followers of Jesus deal with doubt (Matthew 11:2). However, the danger of doubt is to remain in doubt. Extended striving over doubt can paralyze you. It can paralyze your relationships, your finances, your career advancement and, worst of all, your obedience to God. He is either trustworthy or He is not.
Lastly, it is the most difficult when we are in the middle of tremendous adversity or uncertainty, but God’s posture is one of continual compassion and sincere love. He is there to walk with you. He is leading you and He will provide for you the needed skills, finances, health, and relationships to accomplish His will. Let Him use these times of trials to once again show you that He is God. Ask in prayer, “Empower me Lord to face my doubts and fears by focused faith in You?” “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”(Ephesians 3:20).
Related Readings: Jeremiah 1:6; Mark 11:23; James 1:6; Jude 1:22
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?
How will I respond?
