85. HOW TO DEAL WITH DOUBT. John 20:25

Have you ever doubted? Do you ever have doubts? Will you ever doubt? Of course the answer to all three of the previous questions is a resounding YES. You are not the first and certainly not the last person to doubt the existence of God and His Scripture. Some people, not having received what they thought they were entitled to from God, throw their hands in the air, pull out the plug and allow the baby to go down the plug-hole with the bathwater; hoping this God business will just go away, but it usually doesn’t!. It will hang around their minds and conscience sometimes for years until it is dealt with one way or the other. Once we know about the existence of God, we have to make a definite choice to accept or reject Him. He will keep pursuing us until we do. Either we get to know Him rather than ABOUT Him, or turn our backs on Him completely, and decide not to have anything to do with Him. That doesn’t necessarily mean we deny His existence, it means we don’t want to have anything to do with Him; certainly not at this stage of our lives If we choose this, He may leave us alone for a while and allow us to see how we get on without Him But remember, Death doesn’t always give a warning, Scripture says, “If to-day you hear His voice, harden not your heart” None of us knows what’s around the next corner. One thing is sure, God will always let you know when and where you can find Him. If we decide on the former, God will help us by turning-up in one form or another, to show His Love, His Faithfulness, His kindness, His power patience etc. You probably wont understand it at the time, but there will be no doubt as to who has changed circumstances to accommodate you and your doubts. And this will happen in the most unusual places, times and conditions. Just as it did with Thomas the Apostle. Thomas wasn’t there when Jesus appeared to His Disciples after the resurrection. He, like many of us, didn’t accept other people’s experiences they just weren’t good enough for Thomas – He had to have his own experience and form his own opinion. Isn’t that so like us! And Jesus made sure he got that opportunity. Notice, Jesus didn’t put Thomas down for doubting, He understands that any queries arising from an honest heart isn’t a sceptical question, it’s a search for truth. And ultimately isn’t that what we are all wanting? Especially in today’s world, and we should settle for nothing less. Therefore we need to search, find and live by it. And I venture to say the best and only place we can be sure to find that truth is in our Bibles Why? Because The World, Our countries, Our Governments, Our educational systems and even some of the churches have let us down. So we turn to Jesus Christ who is The Truth, The Life and The Way. He alone is the one we can trust. Please, Please; Don’t trust or believe what you hear or read from any other source until you have checked it out with a good Bible. A good teacher will always cross-reference their words with Scripture. The Bible tells us; that after eight days the Disciples were once again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came...stood in the midst of them, and said, “Peace be to you” Then He said to Thomas ‘Reach out your finger here, and look at my hands, and reach your hand here, and put it into my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ And Thomas answered Him with these words; “My Lord and my God” (John 20 :26-28) We glean two important lessons from this story 1. Your doubts can actually lead you to a new level of faith. When the bottom drops out of your world, When the pain of your circumstances becomes unbearable, when a shattering event occurs and doubt marches in unannounced, don’t deny it – acknowledge it. Times of doubt can be classrooms of learning when they drive you to God for answers. As you work your way through them, you reach a new level of faith. (2) Your doubts can lead you to a stronger and deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Testimony of others will only carry you so far. Ultimately you will need your own deep, strong, personal experience with The Son of God. And you can have it! You will know without a shadow of a doubt that when something happens or is achieved that could not have occurred or been accomplished without the express Hand, Will or Purpose of God. You will know and have your own experience. On that, one day you will see for yourself God in action. Don’t miss it! It will change your prospective and strengthen your faith. Thomas started out doubting Jesus and ended up dying as a martyr for His cause. Think about that!. Some of us have taken the message of Christianity and put it in a box marked ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Ever feel like you need permission to cry when you lose a loved one? Or feel intimidated about admitting, “I really don’t know for certain?” The story of doubting Thomas teaches us that not only is it okay to doubt – sometimes it’s even necessary! If you don’t know, you wont grow. You’ll wind up with somebody else’s answers, and in many cases they will be inadequate for your questions – even if you are honest enough to ask them. Has some well-meaning religious soul pushed you into a corner and tried to make you believe that your questions are an offence to Christ? If so, it’s time to listen anew to the tender words of the one who knows your doubts and fears better than you do; ‘Peace be with you.’ He said… ‘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.’ (John 20:26-27) It’s okay to pray ‘Lord, like Thomas, I still struggle with doubts. I haven’t got my life all together yet, not until I am with you will that happen. Thank you for accepting me in my struggles and not ignoring my questions. Thomas reached the place where he could say “My Lord and my God” Thank you for being patient with me as I strive to reach that place as well.’ So how do we get through our doubts? Like Thomas! By facing them honestly, bringing them to Jesus, and growing spiritually as a result of them. If you need help, Go to your Pastor or the Elders of your church they are always ready and willing to help. Thank you for reading these words on dealing with our doubts. Whether we have grown up inside or outside church, we all have doubts. Satan’s greatest weapon from the time of Adam has been to make us doubt Our God. But Jesus called him The father of lies, so don’t follow him, he will entice you far away from God and right into the pit of hell. Stay with the One who loves you, has given His life for you and only wants the very best for you. God Bless Phaline.