What To Do When We Doubt

I will never do that!

My thoughts flit fast from one moment to the next. Fear of the future, terror from the past, and unfulfilled dreams all mix together and I can barely focus on the present.

I wonder if this is how Peter felt. One minute he was reassuring his friend, Jesus. “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will” (Matthew 26:33 NIV).

Did Peter fear the future? Sure doesn’t sound like he feared anything. He was more like bring it on, I’ve got this!

Then a storm hits hard and unearths emotional baggage. His feet slipped from his lofty pedestal and hot venomous anger bubbled to the surface.

I know this to be true because later that same night “he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man” (Matthew 26:58). He claimed that he did not even know Jesus in the same night he vowed never to fall away.

Doubt Creeps In

We hope we have the perseverance, integrity, and strength to stand during times of extreme stress. But I know I don’t.

Every time intense times of stress heat up my life, doubt slowly creeps prying its icy fingers into every crevice of weakness that exists in me. And there are plenty!

But whenever this occurs, I understand how people can know the word of God and still be wicked (G. Petter).

How we can know God’s commands, but refuse to obey. Even if it is for our good, we still resist.

Knowledge is useless if we don’t have the heart to obey (G. Petter).

In Matthew 27:22 (NIV) Pilate calls out to the crowd, “What shall I do, then with Jesus who is called Christ?” At some point in our life, we all must decide what to do with Jesus.

Maybe you are like me and ask Jesus to reveal himself to you.

Even the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders requested, “Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him” (Matthew 27:42 NIV).

Some of the eleven disciples who saw Jesus with their own eyes after his resurrection doubted (Matthew 28:17). He came back to life proving eternal life, so how could they still doubt?

But they did. It says “they worshiped him, but some doubted” (Matthew 28:17)

And I understand this completely. Because I too have worshiped Jesus, but doubted him all in the same breath.

Were they doubting it was really Jesus?

Or were they doubting that they should do what Jesus said, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded” (Matthew 28:19 NIV).

What would you be doubting?

It wasn’t long ago, I thought I didn’t have enough bible knowledge to share with anyone.

But hear this sweet friend; The smallest measure of knowledge with a heart dedicated to God is more pleasing to Him than knowledge without obedience (G. Petter).

So what do we do when we doubt?

Read the scripture for ourselves (Matthew 26:33 – Matthew 28:19)
Ask the Holy Spirit to show us how our doubts are not reasonable.
Reflect on Christ being the Son of God.
Reflect on the danger of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit

Then choose what shall you do with Jesus, called Christ?

“Are we for Christ or against Him?

Are we open enemies or half hearted friends?

Faithful disciples?” (C.S. Robinson D.D.)

Only you can choose, but it is a decision you must make today!

Evidence of being a friend of Christ is that we are obedient to Christ by doing. By admitting to strangers, our friends, and family members that we know Jesus.

We need to settle whether we are a friend or enemy of Jesus once and for all. Because life moves fast and we have already lost much time. How much time do we have left to decide?

Before you decide to put the decision off for another day consider the following:

There is no neutrality; You are either a friend of Christ or you are his enemy.
You don’t have to remain an enemy, an enemy can become a close friend.
If you don’t decide today, that too is a decision.

After choosing to believe on Jesus, you can call to Him to overcome any doubt, fear of the future, or terror from the past. And once your thoughts, words, and actions are aligned with truth, you will have the peace of God.

Unsaved: If you haven’t believed in Jesus as your Savior, you don’t have Jesus’ help when you doubt. Without his help, we will doubt everything and everyone. Doubting God causes problems for you because the punishment of sin is being separated from God forever. But that’s why Jesus came to earth. He willingly gave up His life, “so you can be rescued from the punishment of your sin and have His help” (Alden & Hamilton, 2018).

Saved: If you have believed in Jesus as your Savior, then He is with you whenever a doubt, fear, or terror springs into you mind. Jesus is willing and has the power to help you when you doubt. Call out to Him.

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