Overcoming Moments of Doubt

Verse of the day: Luke 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

In this verse we read Jesus' response to John the Baptist's question as to whether or not He was the Messiah. This is the same John the Baptist that Jesus, even after being asked this question, says that "among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist:" (v.28). Why is that so important? John has sent a message to Jesus via his (John's) disciples, because he now finds himself in prison, as a result of his bold ministry in preparing the people to receive their Messiah. So what we see is a man like no other (by Jesus' own words) who has experienced a moment of doubt because of what he was suffering. I find this both comforting, and reassuring. Here is a man who was lifted up in praise, by God Himself; yet it was done even in a moment of his imperfection. In Mark 9:24, a father asked Jesus to help him in his unbelief (even though he believed) as Jesus was about to heal his daughter. We all, with no exception, have those moments when we experience panic or stress because of unbelief or because our faith waivers. This doubt does not make us any less of a Christian, and it does not cause God to love us any less. The devils want us to think that, and cause us to give up or beat ourselves up for it, but the proper response to the moments of waivering faith is praying and going to the Word of God. How did Jesus respond to John? He was not only telling John's disciples to tell him what He was doing (that John himself had also known personally), but He was also repeating the prophecy about Himself, as written by the Prophet Isaiah. In other words, He was using the Word of God to encourage him. The greatest source of encouragement that we have in moments of doubt is the Bible. This is why it is so important for God's children to consistently, and prayerfully read and study God's Word; remembering that moments of uncertainty (because of our circumstances) does not cause God to disown us or forsake us. Along with God's Word, it is also important that we remember all that God has already done in our lives. That is why it is so important for us to find some method of documenting all of God's goodness toward us. It becomes a source for us to look back, and be reminded of the things God has already done, in our lives, to show us that He is indeed our Lord and Savior, and that we are truly His children. Let us not forget that even King David, with all his imperfections, and sins, was still a man after God's own heart, as stated by God Himself. Praise be to God that He does not judge us based on our moments of being shaken (Ps 103:12-14). So take heart, if you are experiencing a moment of doubt, prayerfully turn to your Bible, and allow God to remind you of His promises, and all that we have gained in Jesus, that will not be revoked, and cannot be taken from us (John 10:28-30; Rom 8:38-39; Heb 13:5-6).