Embracing Doubt on the Path to Deeper Faith

Doubt is a natural part of the human experience, including our spiritual journey. Even biblical figures like John the Baptist experienced moments of doubt, as seen when he questioned if Jesus was truly the Messiah (Matthew 11:2-6).
However, doubt doesn't have to derail our faith. In fact, if approached properly, it can lead to a deeper understanding and a more robust belief in God. The key is to nurture doubt through the application of biblical ethics and the support of a faith community.

Doubt often arises in three areas that can potentially undermine our spiritual growth:

1. Calling: When we face emotional doubts rooted in pain or difficult circumstances, we must rely on foundational truths about God, the world, and our identity rather than reacting solely based on emotions.
2. Competency: Intellectual doubts arise when the teachings of Christianity seem incompatible with our understanding. In these moments, we must recognize the limitations of our finite minds and make a leap of faith, trusting in God's power and authority.
3. Character: Moral doubts tempt us to disbelieve Christianity because we don't want it to be true. To overcome this, we must cling to the trustworthiness and goodness of God's character, even when obedience is challenging.

The gift of the Church plays a crucial role in navigating doubt.
Just as John sent his disciples to Jesus, we can bring our doubts and questions to our faith community, allowing others to support us, pray with us, and point us back to Christ.
Ultimately, doubt can motivate us to pursue a deeper faith and trust in God.

As we wrestle with our doubts, express them openly, and lean into God's goodness, our doubts can be shaped into a more resolute trust, faith, and obedience. Remember, this is part of the process as long as it is leading to an outcome to reveal a deepening faith, rather than a erosion of it.
 
Keep Looking Up!

Pastor Micah