Doubts can easily creep in if we fail to address any vulnerabilities in our beliefs. They can surface all of a sudden in response to a significant event or result as a culmination of a gradual breakdown in particular areas of our faith.
From first-hand personal doubts to the lack of faith of Christian friends, disbelief, no matter how relatively minor and brief or considerable and long-standing, will be something that every believer has to deal with at some point.
It's healthy to ask questions about all different aspects of the Christian faith in order for us to improve our knowledge of what it is that we really believe and to gain a more informed understanding of who God is. The dangers to our relationship with God arise when have substantial gaps in our knowledge about major elements of faith and are unsure of where to seek the right answers.
While faith helps us maintain security but doubts can unsteady us from the strong foundations that is laid by our belief.
Here are some Bible verses which stress the dangers of doubts and the importance of addressing them.
During times of uncertainty it's important that we feel supported. The doubts of others provide us with an opportunity to be empathetic and constructive.
Jude 1:22 - Be merciful to those who doubt.
Identifying why we have doubts about certain things is an important step in overcoming them.
Matthew 14:27-31 - But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
Doubts often render us powerless. When we lack faith in God's existence, His love for us, His promises or in anything else, we're often not just unsure of what's in front of us but also afraid. In the context of making decisions, faith does the opposite to doubt in that it empowers us to be purposeful and courageous.
Mark 11:22-23 - "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
James 1:5-8 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Depending on the severity of our doubts, they can be debilitating. These considerable uncertainties can prevent us from believing that there is any hope for us and others. Hope is such an important part of our faith and without it we're left in emotional negativity or turmoil.
Mark 9:22-24 - "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
