When in Doubt. — Stylin' Granny Mama

Have you ever struggled with doubt? If you haven't you must be an exceptional individual. Most of us doubt at some point. We doubt ourselves, we doubt our families, we doubt our friends, and we doubt God. Doubt can stem from fear and anxiety, unmet expectations, fatigue, and other factors.

James says, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind" (Js. 1:5-6 NASB).

When I sat down a few minutes ago to start working on this blog I was assailed by doubt. It's the same old voices. Softly, whispered poison,

"You're no good!"

"You have nothing to offer!"

"Why would anyone want to read your blog?"

I have been hearing these voices for most of my life. However, God had been speaking too. His voice is much clearer than the whisperers. I always know when the enemy is speaking, he whispers, not like a seductive lover, but like an annoying mosquito! He always condemns and criticizes. So I swat him away with a heavy duty fly swatter.

Romans 8:1(NASB), "There is therefore, now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Many believe this verse only refers to the condemnation that comes from not being saved in Christ, but I believe it goes far deeper than that. I believe it is a weapon against the very doubts that so often hit us between the eyes. Once we are in the family of God, through our belief in Jesus Christ, we are no longer under any condemnation. Conviction, yes. If I sin, I come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

"You did something wrong."

That's it.

The voices of guilt and condemnation come after the fact and usually drag on and on.

Doubt is just another whisperer. If you are walking in the Spirit there is no reason to doubt. God doesn't play games with us. His commands are clear as written in His word, the Bible.

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks..." I Thessalonians 5:16-18(NASB)

That seems pretty straight forward. That doesn't mean it is always easy. We are, much like the waves "driven and tossed by the wind." However, if we begin to recognize our struggle and our shortcomings we can ask God for help.

In the gospel of Mark (9:14-29 NASB) a man brings his demon possessed son to the disciples and asks them to cast the demon out. They are unable to do it. They bring the boy to Jesus and the boy's father says, "....But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us!"

As a parent or a grandparent you can feel for this poor man who is nearly at the end of himself. His son has been this way since he was a small boy. He had probably seen all sorts of supposed healers and religious sorts promising a cure, to no avail.

Jesus' response to him is pointed, "If You can! All things are possible to him who believes."

"Immediately the boy's father cried out and began saying, 'I do believe; help my unbelief.'"

He knew his limitations. He understood his own struggle and he knew he needed help. He wasn't too proud to admit, "I don't get it! Help my lack of faith!" So, I am like that man, crying out, "I do believe," but recognizing my weak faith, I add, "help my unbelief."