And Strengthening Faith
Doubt is often treated like a dirty secret in the Christian life—something to be ashamed of, a sign of weak faith. But the truth is that doubt is part of the journey for every believer. Even the heroes of the faith wrestled with questions. John the Baptist, who proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, later sent messengers asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3, ESV). Doubt is not the enemy of faith—it’s an opportunity to deepen it. When handled well, doubt can lead us to greater trust in God, rather than away from Him.
The gospel invites us to bring our doubts into the light, trusting that God is not threatened by our questions. The key is learning how to navigate doubt in a way that strengthens our faith, instead of shipwrecking it.
- Doubt Is a Normal Part of Faith
Doubt often sneaks in when life doesn’t go as expected. Suffering, unanswered prayers, or intellectual challenges can cause us to question God’s goodness or presence. But having doubts doesn’t mean we’ve lost our faith. Even strong believers like Job, David, and the disciples experienced moments of deep uncertainty.
David’s words in Psalm 13:1 capture this struggle: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (ESV). Doubt is part of living in a fallen world, where we see in part but not fully (1 Corinthians 13:12). Faith doesn’t mean never doubting; it means continuing to trust God, even with our questions.
Don’t hide your doubts—bring them to God in prayer. Faith grows not by suppressing doubt but by wrestling through it in God’s presence.
- Honest Doubt Can Lead to Deeper Faith
There is a difference between doubt that seeks truth and doubt that dismisses it. Honest doubt asks hard questions, not to rebel against God, but to know Him more deeply. Thomas is a prime example. He refused to believe the resurrection until he could see and touch Jesus’ wounds (John 20:25). But when Jesus met Thomas in his doubt, He didn’t rebuke him—He invited him to believe.
Jesus’ response to Thomas shows us that God is not put off by our questions. In fact, He often uses doubt as a doorway to deeper faith. “Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27, NIV). When we seek God in our doubt, we often find Him in ways we never expected.
Ask the hard questions, but ask them with an open heart. Trust that God welcomes your questions and will meet you in the process.
- Isolation Fuels Doubt—Community Strengthens Faith
One of the biggest mistakes believers make when they experience doubt is isolating themselves. Shame tells us that doubt is something to keep hidden, but Scripture calls us to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone.
Hebrews 10:25 urges us not to give up meeting together but to encourage one another. Community is essential, especially when doubt clouds our vision of God’s faithfulness. Talking through doubts with trusted believers brings clarity, encouragement, and accountability. The enemy wants us to believe we are alone in our doubts—but in Christ, we are never alone.
Share your doubts with trusted friends or mentors in the faith. God often uses the wisdom and encouragement of others to strengthen us when we are weak.
- Faith Grows Through Action, Even When Doubt Persists
The world tells us to follow our feelings, but the gospel calls us to walk by faith. Sometimes, faith means acting in obedience, even when doubt lingers. James 2:17 reminds us, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (ESV). Faith is not merely a feeling—it is a commitment to trust God, even when emotions waver.
In Mark 9:24, a father cried out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (ESV). This raw prayer captures the tension between faith and doubt. The father didn’t wait for perfect faith to ask for Jesus’ help—he acted in faith, even in the midst of doubt. Obedience in the face of uncertainty strengthens our trust in God and deepens our faith.
Keep showing up. Read your Bible, pray, and serve others, even when your heart feels distant. Faith grows through small acts of trust, day by day.
- The Gospel Gives Us Confidence
At the heart of the gospel is a Savior who knows our weaknesses and meets us with grace. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15, ESV). Jesus understands our doubts and offers us the same invitation He gave to Thomas: “Come and see.”
The cross is God’s answer to our deepest doubts. It reminds us that even when we can’t see or understand what God is doing, He is still good and faithful. The resurrection assures us that our faith is not in vain, even when life feels uncertain. In Christ, we have hope that transcends every question and fear.
Anchor your doubts in the truth of the gospel. When questions arise, return to the cross and the empty tomb, where God’s love and power are on full display.
TLDR: Trust God Through Doubt
Doubt is not the end of faith—it’s often the beginning of deeper trust. The gospel invites us to bring our doubts into the light, knowing that God’s love for us is not dependent on the strength of our faith but on the finished work of Christ.
Don’t wait for perfect faith. Bring your doubts to Jesus, trust Him with your questions, and take the next step of obedience, knowing that He will meet you in the journey.
Doubt doesn’t disqualify you from God’s love—it draws you closer to the One who holds all things together. In a world full of uncertainty, the gospel gives us the confidence to say, “I believe; help my unbelief.” When we trust God in the midst of doubt, we discover that His grace is sufficient, His promises are true, and His presence is constant, even when we don’t understand.
Holly is a frequent contributor to Substack.
This blog, Navigating Doubt and several other
discussion threads may be found on the Substack platform.
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