Where Does Doubt Fit into the Life of a Christian?

By Pastor Steve Pierce

Do you ever find yourself doubting God? His promises? His Son?

Jesus reaches out to rescue Peter, who is drowning, and asks, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31, ESV).

Jesus reminds the disciples that faith can accomplish what seems impossible. He says, “And Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea,” it will happen’” (Matthew 21:21, ESV).

There are many places in the Bible where men and women doubt God. Jesus tells Peter and the other disciples the truth, and yet they still have doubts. They are human. It isn't really until the resurrected Lord stands before these broken men that their doubts begin to give way to faith and they begin to live with conviction. Jesus said He would return, and He did. Their doubt is replaced by conviction. They trust.

When you were a teenager, were you a perfect kid who willingly did everything your parents asked without questioning them? When you start a new job, do you sometimes question why things are done a particular way? When you were in school, did you ever doubt your teachers? When you drive over a bridge, do you ever question its integrity? We all have doubts, don't we?

It's part of how we learn: by questioning those who teach us. Doubt is also a reality of living in a world where actions and words don't always agree. People make mistakes. Some people lie. Bridges do occasionally collapse. For almost everyone, doubt is our natural, go-to response when we confront the unknown or unbelievable. And then the Bible tells us to have faith in a man named Jesus.

Truth is powerful and can stand up to doubts and questions. Lies and the darkness all around us are exposed by the light of truth. Doubt at the beginning of any relationship is natural. But as truth and love grow, they can replace doubt with faith—a faith that continues to grow into conviction.

Thankfully, Jesus never says we must be perfect to follow Him. Instead, He calls us to have faith, and faith is a process that grows with time and effort. Time in God's Word, time in prayer, and time in Christian community can lead to a stronger personal faith in Jesus.

If you are having doubts, go to the source. Go to God and share your fears and doubts with humility and awe. God is good, and He is listening. He can handle your questions, and your faith can grow stronger through them. Don’t be afraid to move past your doubt and into a trusting faithful walk with the Lord.