How often have I doubted, how often questioned?

Come, breathe, you shall live.
You must no longer despair,
no longer be discouraged.
God gave us His son.
With Him we have received new life.

(translated from the German song by Peter Strauch)

Who of us aren't familiar with the feeling when doubt slips into our faith? As much as we want to believe, now and then a flicker of doubt springs to mind... or maybe sometimes more than just a mere flicker.

Yet, with it we find ourselves in the best company. We only need to open the Bible to find people throughout who wrestled with their trust. “Did God really say...” the serpent asked Eve in the Garden of Eden – and she believed it. Moses, when he was called, told God that he could not do it. The entire nation of Israel, when travelling through the desert, started doubting and wondering whether they would not have been better off had they remained at the flesh pots of Egypt. When Lazarus died and Jesus had to raise him, Martha spoke: “Lord, by this time he already stinks!” Her grief was already greater than her trust. And then, there was also Thomas, the disciple. He just could not believe that the Lord was resurrected – not, before he felt His wounds...

Sometimes the burdens in our lives just seem so great, that we simply can't get it right to believe like a child. Sometimes the reality causes us to have such a scewed mindset that we are only able to doubt. We are like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, in one direction and another, likely to plummet at any given moment.

And yet, when we look at the said doubters in the Bible, God never abandoned them. He gave them new strength and proved Himself as the Lord of heaven and earth. Doubt is not a sin, doubt is the human being in us, whom God wants to strengthen repeatedly with His infinite love.

Doubt is a point in our lives, a turning point, from which it always continues forward towards our Lord. If doubt torments you, even when it is difficult, speak to God, ask Him for new strength and confidence. He is more powerful than the one who sows the doubt.

As the ruler said to Jesus: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!”

I wish you a blessed day, so close to God that He removes your doubt with His love.

Rainer Gigerich