Grounded - Week 4

 How to Deal with Doubt

Pastor Hal Mayer

Doubt isn’t the end of faith; it’s often the tool God uses to make it stronger.

John 20:24-29 New Living Translation

24One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 26Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 29Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Matthew 28:16-17 New Living Translation

16Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

How do I deal with my doubts?

Find the root.

• Real faith isn’t denying doubt, it's being honest about it. 

Mark 9:24 New Living Translation

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Spend time with God in prayer and in His Word.

Habakkuk 1:2-4 New Living Translation

2How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. 3Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. 4The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 New Living Translation

17Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18yet I will rejoice in the Lord!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

Hebrews 4:15-16 New Living Translation

15This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Process with other believers. 

Colossians 3:16 New Living Translation

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Matthew 7:7-8 New Living Translation

7“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Now What?

Matthew 7:7-8 New Living Translation

7“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Question to Ask:

Have you been carrying doubts about God that you haven’t yet explored? What makes it difficult to be honest about them? Why must we see doubt as a step toward a greater faith instead of a step away from faith?

Application:

In your journey of transforming doubt into deeper faith, which step will you take first—digging into the root of your doubt, drawing close to God, or sharing with other believers? How will you start this week?