Why do you believe? Or not?
If you are a Believer in God, and in Jesus as your Savior, why do you believe?
- Were you raised as a Christian?
- Did you have a mentor as a child or adult who led you to Jesus?
- Did an extraordinary life experience lead you to your Savior?
- How did you become a believer?
Why do you believe?
Now here’s a tough question–do you ever doubt?
In the Gospel of Mark, a father brings his son to Jesus. The boy suffers from severe seizures. Jesus asks the father how long the son has been affected by this affliction:
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” (Mark 9:21)
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:22)
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23)
Doubt…
Doubt is a common human reaction, a feeling that serves us well when we are being bullied by a telemarketer or pushy salesperson. But doubt can be a problem in relationships where mutual trust is a necessity, and particularly a threat to our relationship with our Father and Savior.
Zechariah, the priest, doubted God’s promise of a son when he and his wife Elizabeth had been unable to have a child (Luke 1:11-25). Sarah, wife of Abraham, doubted the messengers from God when Abraham was told she was to have a baby within a year’s time (Genesis 18:1-15). And of course, the moment of doubt which we are most often reminded of–Thomas–who said he must see the Lord, with the scars of His death from the cross, before he would believe in Christ’s resurrection (John 20:24-29). We may recognize how doubt created problems in these examples. We have perhaps also experienced how doubt creates havoc between friends or spouses.
If we are honest, haven’t we all experienced doubt in our faith, or in our belief that our Father loves us and cares about us? What about an unfulfilled dream? A marriage which failed in spite of your best efforts? What about the loss of a loved one?
Where was God in your time of urgent need and deepest sorrow?
Having doubt in our Father is not a new thing…
Why, Lord, do you stand so far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1)
But our Father is not hiding from us. He is with us in that dark valley of sorrow. He is close beside us when we are too weary to lift our foot to take another step. When we close our eyes in despair and gasp for air–He is there in the gentle breath that spreads throughout our body and the whispers of love that nourish our battered heart. As we present our need before Him in prayer, He surrounds us with His wings of comfort and protection.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes I will remember your miracles of long ago. (Psalm 77:11)
We find God’s message of love through His Word, faithfully remembered, recorded, and shared through the Scripture.
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
The Word of God brings us assurance of His love for us. The realization of our Savior’s love for us, is shown in His choice to sacrifice His life for ours. We feel the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit on our daily walk, even when we cannot see Him.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
We see what God has done
We cannot see the visible form of God here on Earth, but we see what He has done. We feel His presence, derive knowledge from His Word, benefit from His guidance, and we daily see the evidence of His power and love.
I hope, like me, you experience joy in sunrises and as the sun springs forth with the gift of new day, you feel the majestic presence of our Father.
I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else.
C.S. Lewis
I doubt more often than I’d like to — sometimes I think that’s one of the enemy’s best ways of getting under my skin. But then I’m reminded that God has never left me even when I’m at my worst. So thankful for that gift. Thanks for the C.S. Lewis quote — it’s a beautiful one that I haven’t thought about in a long time. 🙂
So do I, Leigh. I think doubt is one of the enemy’s most powerful weapons and it sneaks in before we know it. But you are so right, God never leaves us. Thanks for the blessing of your encouragement on this cold, rainy, glum day. Wishing you a sunny and joyful day!
I agree, Leigh. The enemy’s use of doubt is very effective as a weapon to weaken our faith. C.S. Lewis shared so much with us–he had the ability to spread the Gospel to both the young and the older. I think his time of trial in his younger years made him a stronger missionary for Jesus.
Thanks Katherine. The CS Lewis quote is a helpful reminder to me. The enemy is always at work – Scripture says like a roaring lion just trying to figure out his next target and like he did to Eve creating subtle doubt. I always have to go back to scripture, God’s names and His character to keep my heart and thinking in the right place.
C.S. Lewis left us with so much wisdom and inspiration. Some of his work is a challenge for me to understand, but he also blessed us with so many messages that are vivid illustrations of God’s great majesty and love for His people. I’m with you–staying in God’s Word is our Armor of God, protecting us against the devil’s schemes. I like your description–keeps our heart and thinking in the right place. Wishing you a blessed week!
I don’t doubt my salvation Ms. Katherine, but I do wonder sometimes how God can continue to love someone who continues to mess up and fall into the traps of this world. Perhaps one of my favorite passages, and one I definitely one remind myself of quite often, is Romans 7:15-25. If even someone as sold out for Christ as the Apostle Paul was wrestles with worldly sin and carnal ways, then I recognize that I need to accept the grace that God gives me freely and release myself from the false idea that I have to be perfect. What I have to be, is honest enough to admit to God when I fail Him. It is in that alignment in agreement with Him that He pours out His salve of grace into my life. I tell myself, the roots can never grow deep if I keep using that hoe. God’s blessings ma’am; and thank you for your encouraging post this week.
Like you, my friend, I don’t doubt my salvation, but I also know about my unworthiness. How can God love me with all the mistakes I have made? And why can’t I still get it right? But that’s what grace is all about. Our Savior gave His life for us, even knowing that we can’t get it right because we all sin and fall short. But His love is always with us, and as you say, when we take our failures, mistakes, and sins to Him, He forgives and helps us do better. Thank you for sharing you thoughts, sir. They are always encouraging, inspiring, and helpful.
When unsettling emotions take over my heart, I have to sit down and pray. I look at my shield and see God‘s promises that I have written on it. A little paper shield that captures Bible verses that meant something to me, along with whispers from God in prayer. It protects my heart from doubt. Then I’m OK again. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks so much for sharing, Katy. I know prayer should always be our first response when doubt creeps in, but I confess that sometimes I try to solve my own problems instead of turning first to our Father. I’m grateful for your reminder. And I really love your shield with God’s Word written on it. Writing His Word helps us remember it and having that visual is helpful to keep His Word in our hearts. Peace and blessing, my dear friend.
I love the quote from C.S. Lewis. So true. My doubts seem to be more focused on the big picture. When life gets overwhelming I want to know how all the struggles are in the plan. I ultimately have to remember His plans are much better than my own.
I’ve had to learn that lesson, too (recognizing that God has the real plan)–usually the hard way. As I struggled on the road to submission, God gave me chance after chance. I’m so thankful for His mercy and grace.
Doubt plagues us all and I am thankful God tells us the stories in the Bible of all those saints who endured it too. By seeing their struggles and how God helped them overcome, we are encouraged to overcome also. It’s always the Word that pulls us out of doubt and fear. Thanks, Katherine!
Oh, I agree, Barbara, the stories of those faithful that we read in God’s Word help us through the dark times, when doubt threatens to overwhelm. We also have those saints who mentored us on our journey to Jesus. Their love for God and us and their constant, abiding faith provides a role model that we are blessed to see in action. Thank you for sharing your insight.
I appreciate that Jesus knew we’d doubt and need proof of His love and, thus, offered the cross as a powerful visual aid and cure for doubt. It was good of Him to have invited Thomas to be counted among his first 12 followers. Thanks, Katherine for always returning me to the source of Truth.
Katherine, what a beautiful picture you’ve painted of our loving Shepherd. I especially liked this statement: “When we close our eyes in despair and gasp for air–He is there in the gentle breath that spreads throughout our body and the whispers of love that nourish our battered heart.”
Jeannie, with both experienced that gentle grace and healing, haven’t we? Thank you for your kindness and encouragement.
I admit there have been times in life when I doubted, and God used those times to draw me closer. He meets us wherever we are. In Psalm 73 we read about David’s cycle of doubt and faith.
I just read Psalm 73 with new eyes. He describes the battle between doubt and faith so vividly. Yet, in the end he says, “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge, I will tell of all your deeds.” (Ps 73:28) Thank you for sharing this with us, Candyce. I received a blessing.
God grows us through our troubles, but we have trouble seeing His working when it hurts. You provide an opportunity for us to steep in the encouragement of community. We all have doubts and ways we deal with them. We are not alone–even when it feels as though we are.
You are right, Nancy. We are never alone. Our Lord is with us through the darkness and doubt. I like this part of your message, “God grows us through our troubles.” I can attest to that blessing of love. Wishing you continued blessings in your ministry.
Like everyone else, Katherine, I doubt at times. But I’ve found that running to God with my doubts turns them into building blocks for my faith. Instead of condemning me, Father God lovingly shows me the truth about Himself, and I grow stronger. Thank you for this lovely picture of God.
What a wonderful way to look at it, Annie, doubt can become “building blocks for my faith.” If we can all use that strategy, imagine how our faith will grow and strengthen. I love the way you point out that instead of condemning us, our Father God “lovingly shows the truth about Himself.” Thank you for sharing your insight and encouragement with us.
You touched on a topic we can all identify with, and I love how you’ve reminded us that He’s not hiding, but is surrounding us with “His wings of comfort and protection” and “whispers of love.” Thank you for such beautiful verses and reminders of His love!
We are so blessed that God is with us through our doubts and periods of darkness. When doubt and fear separate us from God, instead of leaving us, He draws ever nearer, covering us with His shield, “wings of comfort and protection.” Thank you for sharing words of encouragement, Kathy. Our circle of fellowship, friends, and faithful mentors help us through the challenges.
It helps me to know that even if I don’t understand what God is doing, I know I can trust Him because of His proven character. I remember the good things has done in the past, and that His character doesn’t change. He will always care for me no matter how my circumstances look at a given snapshot of time.
Thank you, Joanna, for reminding us that God is always steadfast and trustworthy. We may falter and waver, but He never does. He is dependable and faithful. We are so blessed.