I’ve often thought Thomas got a bad rap. He shared his honest feelings with his closest friends, and the nickname Doubting Thomas has followed him since. When you look closely at Thomas you will find not only doubt, but an ultimatum to believe.
Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.
John 20:25 (ESV)
In other words, seeing IS believing. Throughout scripture from the beginning to the end, you’ll find the heroes of our faith revealing doubt. Even David, the man after God’s own heart, cries out in Psalm 13, “How long O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face rom me?”
Habakkuk asked the same question, “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?”
Dare I say wrestling with doubt is a integral part of our spiritual journey? And while I guess there may be someone in the world who has never doubted that person is not, I repeat, NOT me.
Can you imagine being Thomas? There you are in the upper room hanging out with your closest friends. Wondering what will become of this faith now that the leader is dead. You’ve heard your friends talk of seeing Jesus alive and well. But you’re a skeptic. Is this possible? Can a man really walk out of a tomb? You need more proof then the testimony of those around you. You need to see it for yourself. to touch his injured hands and feet. You’ve taken some great risks to follow a man crucified for his teaching. And now all of what you learned and experienced died on a cross of all things. Maybe you shouldn’t have admitted what you were thinking. Perhaps you are the only one with doubts. And what if? what if what they say is true? How will Jesus respond?
The issue is not that we doubt but how we allow that doubt to reroute our hearts toward God. Let’s return for a moment to Thomas. Perhaps we’ve put so much emphasis on the doubt, we’ve not considered Jesus’ response.
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Althought the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.
John 20:26-27 (ESV)
Thomas waited with his doubt for a week before Jesus showed up again. Suddenly Jesus stood in the room. Honestly, it didn’t go as I expected. I expected Jesus to be firm about Thomas’ doubt. I expected conviction and discipline. What Thomas received was grace. The one who Thomas doubted extended his hands, and Thomas’ doubt dissolved. He spent the rest of his life following Jesus.
I’ve learned from Thomas and other biblical heroes a few things about doubt. First, just tell God about it. No need to be overly concerned that you are losing your faith. No need for fear of punishment or discipline. Simply let God know the doubt you are wrestling with, Admit it and ask God to show you His truth.
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24
Next… be willing to wait as long as it takes. Maybe this is the toughest thing about doubt. For the waiting can sap us of the energy to listen and pay attention. We become weary in the waiting. Yet God says,
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
Finally, trust God to answer your doubt with His truth. Trust God will never turn away from you because you have questions, concerns, or wonder what in the world He is doing. Trust God has enough grace to handle your doubt, and turn your unbelief into solid faith.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38
A path to reroute doubt is marked with arrows pointing the way…
Acknowledge
Wait
Trust
Feature Image Photo by Ana Municio on Unsplash
Unraveled Love 
Leave a comment