A loved one dies. Test results reveal a life-threatening diagnosis. Once-secure employment dissolves. These are just some of the countless situations, challenging a person’s faith, confidence, and resolve. Often, individuals allow cynicism to take a front seat in an attempt at self-preservation with the ultimate goal being to minimize sadness, fear, and uncertainty. After all, how many times have you heard the saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is?” Another one is, “I cannot trust anyone but myself!” But wait! The Heavenly Father knows when His children are hurting and needing comfort. In fact, each of us, including you, should discard all doubt and find reassurance in God’s perspective!
Experiencing Doubt in an F-150 Truck
On a recent trip to visit family, my mom and I left to run errands. Upon reaching her F-150 truck, we realized she would need to maneuver between two closely parked cars. Our strategy was simple. She would drive the truck, and I would navigate her through the narrow space.
A simple strategy? Well, things transpired a bit differently than expected. What resulted, however, was greater insight into the correlation between doubt and perspective.
Standing away from the vehicle, my vantage point showed my mom had adequate room to safely drive between the two vehicles. However, from her perspective, she was about to hit one of the cars. As a result, nervousness and apprehension kicked into overdrive (pun not intended!). At first, she tried steering the truck her way, but all I saw was her experiencing greater difficulty and encountering an increased challenge. Eventually, once my mom relaxed and trusted my view, she proceeded through without any issues.
Whose Perspective… God’s or Yours?
When faced with a daunting situation, have you ever tried to take charge and do things your way? Just like my mom wanted to trust her perspective, God’s children want to trust they know best in perplexing and challenging situations. However, how often are things made worse when someone tries to take control? Likewise, how often do things improve, or resolve, when someone gets out of their own way and lets God do what He does best?
As my mom’s navigator, I stood at a distance for an optimal vantage point. Why? Because I could see a more well-rounded view and knew where she was going. My perspective was not incombered or limited. The same is true with God.
God has a greater breadth of perspective. His vantage point is such that He already knows where we are going. How? He has been there because He goes before us. Therefore, as God’s children, we should not fear or doubt (even in the most difficult of circumstances). Instead, we should trust Him over our own limited understanding. Eventually, the Father wants us to find and claim reassurance in His divine perspective. After all, He is the (only) One who sees the BIG picture and unequivocally has you in His sights!
An Acquaintance’s Fear and Doubt
Many years ago, an acquaintance of mine received devastating news. Her younger brother was diagnosed with a brain tumor (for the second time). As we discussed this overwhelming revelation, she declared there must not be a God. As I listened intently, she elaborated. According to her rationale, what kind of loving God would allow her brother to have a brain tumor?
In the midst of her immense heartbreak and pain, fear and doubt existed at the very heart of it all. In fact, these feelings permeated her soul, threatening to destroy her faith and trust in Almighty God. Perhaps at some point in your life when things seemed to spiral out of control, you found yourself overcome with fear and doubt. As a result, you questioned God’s presence, or ability, to comfort and support you. After all, why would He let undesirable, or bad, things happen to His beloved children, including you? Right? Well, in order to address this question, we must dive into God’s Word and see what He has to say on the matter.
Stories of Doubt and God’s Perspective in Scripture
Abram and Sarai
Accounts of God’s children experiencing doubt are sprinkled throughout Scripture. For example, the Book of Genesis includes the story of Abram and Sarai. Abram sought to live a faithful life, giving all honor and glory to the LORD. Despite his righteous living, Abram and his wife, Sarai, remained childless. When they were well along in years, the LORD spoke to Abram, saying, “…Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1, NIV). Another translation is, “Your reward will be very great.”
Knowing he was along in years and without an heir, Abram could not fathom what the LORD had in mind, but he remained unwavering in his faith. As Abram listened, the LORD outlined all aspects of his great reward as part of a covenant, including not only an heir but descendants and land “from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates” (Genesis 15:18, NIV). All Abram needed to do was remain faithful, wait, and let the LORD do the rest.
Sarai’s Plan (Not God’s)
Unfortunately, Sarai had other plans to create an heir for Abram. Barren and along in years, Sarai doubted the LORD would literally give her and Abram an heir. After all, what about common sense and a woman’s biological clock? Right? Well, Sarai chose to take control of the situation and build their family.
According to Genesis 16 (NIV), Sarai had an Egyptian slave, named Hagar. After carefully constructing her plan, Sarai convinced Abram to take Hagar as his wife. Succumbing to doubt and no longer waiting faithfully on the LORD to fulfill His covenant, Abram wed Hagar. Just as Sarai planned, Hagar conceived and gave birth to Abram’s son, Ishmael.
Remember our discussion of how a situation can become worse when someone tries to take control and do things their way? Well, Sarai learned that valuable lesson. Yes, she succeeded in ensuring Abram had a child. However, she never imagined how she would suffer emotionally as a result, consumed with growing resentment toward Hagar. After all, Hagar achieved what Sarai had not (at least up to that point), conceiving a child.
Abraham
Thirteen years after Ishmael’s birth, the LORD returned to establish a new covenant with Abram. Remorseful for his doubt and lack of faith, Abram humbled himself before the LORD. In response, God said, “As for me, this is my [new] covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations” (Genesis 17:3-5, NIV).
Abraham’s story illustrates the harmful effects of doubt and a waning faith. Harboring feelings of doubt creates a ripple effect for others, too. In addition, this story illuminates why God’s children should trust His enduring love and big-picture perspective!
Peter Walks on the Water to Jesus
Perhaps one of the most intriguing stories in the Bible is the account of Peter climbing out of a boat and walking to Jesus. Similar to Sarai’s story, Peter allowed common sense to intrude on this monumental moment. Why? He was a perfectly imperfect human after all!
Peter’s doubt was literally his downfall. The moment Peter noticed the strong winds and waves, he allowed fear to enter the picture and, subsequently, doubted his ability to walk on the water. Immediately, he began to sink. Notice, Peter doubted his ability even when Jesus told him to do it! Can you relate to Peter? How many times have you doubted you could do something even when you felt God calling you to do it?
Watching all of this transpire, how did Jesus respond? Scripture tells us, “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him” (Matthew 14:31, NIV). But there is more! What Jesus says in that moment is very poignant. He tells Peter, “You of little faith…why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis).
Did you catch what Jesus does? He equates a person’s level of doubt as a measure of their faith. According to Jesus’s perspective, an inverse relationship exists between doubt and faith. Therefore, in order to reduce (or discard) doubt, a person must increase their faith. How? Faith grows through studying God’s Word, spending time in prayer, worshipping with other believers, and serving as the hands, feet, and voice of Christ in a broken world.
Closing Thoughts and a Call to Action
Bad things happen, and they happen to everyone. The Heavenly Father knows when His children are hurting and needing comfort. Instead of thinking you must face difficult times on your own, God wants you to trust Him. How? Give yourself permission to get out of your own way. Then, let God with all of His divine power do what He does best! In the end, each of us, including you, should discard all doubt and find reassurance in God’s perspective. So, how will you boldly step out in faith and discard your doubts today?
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A Special Acknowledgment:
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