When in Doubt…

Today was a miserable day. It was rainy, cold and overcast. I found my mood going from good, to ok, and by the end of the day, it was just down right blue. I guess you could call me a fair weather person. It got me thinking however, of how circumstantial I can be when it comes to how I feel and how I inevitably will make decisions for my life. When the “spiritual” weather is not so great, I find myself doubting even the most basic elements of my life. I doubt whether or not God loves me, I doubt my calling, and most of all, I find myself doubting God’s goodness.

I’ve also discovered the different forms of doubt. There’s the “panic-button” doubt when all of a sudden, you just start thinking that the world is crumbling around you. There’s the long-term doubt, where you’re waiting and waiting and waiting for the answer or the provision or some sign to unfold in your life. Then there’s the deep-rooted doubt where you’ve just never really believed in some aspect of the Gospel. This is the kind of doubt that is tied to a preexisting faulty belief system and belief in God means having to let go of this deep-rooted belief about God, yourself and the world.

If you doubt, you are human. However, be advised that there are God-given provisions to help us to confront the doubts we have in our lives.  Scripture tells us that God cannot lie, therefore when He promises us something, it is the truth. We can at least let this be the foothold that we can find our first footing in before we take a step out of the slimy pit of doubt. Also, doubt is often accompanied by Jesus calling us out to go deeper in our faiths. He may be calling you to step off
the boat, He may be calling you to let down your nets in an unfamiliar part of the ocean, but in all these things, it comes down to trusting in the One who’s voice it is you are trying to listen to.

“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch. Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” Luke 5:4-6 NIV