Have you ever had doubts about your faith? If the answer is yes, you are not alone. You may feel weird or uncomfortable about what you felt in the past or what you’re experiencing right now but the truth is, there is nothing unusual or bad about what you’re experiencing. It’s actually ok. Many Christians wrestle with doubt and unbelief. Untested faith is unreliable faith. If you struggle with unbelief, God has good news for you.
Feeling lost or struggling on your faith journey isn’t something to feel bad about, as we have all lost our way, even when saved. Even when we’re struggling with doubt or unbelief, He wants us to remain faithful and recognize that everything happens for a reason and is a part of His Will. Sometimes difficulties and crisis are used by the Lord to bring us closer and to develop intimacy with him. The more you grow in Christ, the less questions you will have and the more you will trust in God. This won’t happen overnight. It’s an everyday process. One of the first things you can do when you’re struggling with doubt with God is turn to the power of Scripture.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths." When you’re struggling with God, there is often great confusion about spiritual direction. One of the Enemy’s greatest desires is to get a believer out of destiny and separated from God. This all begins by confusing you. The knowledge of God’s Will and purpose for your life is superior to the world’s false and speculative knowledge and wisdom. This is the most important fact that every Christian must get hold of. There is a dangerous chain reaction that is taking place in the thinking today of many Christians. The ultimate cause of most problems in the Christian life is the failure to have knowledge of God’s Will. The reason we are so lost is because we neglect His ordained meanings of knowing His Will. This happens because we believe that something else is superior to God’s ordained way when the truth is, nothing is superior to God’s ordained way.
One of the biggest challenges we face on our spiritual journey is completely trusting God’s Will, especially when our faith is being tested. A huge sign that you’re struggling with unbelief is when you begin to question your faith. This is often a result of our disappointment in our lives based on our experiences and expectations. While we can’t avoid disappointment, we are told through Scripture to trust in Jesus and His promises for us. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” If you are dealing with a disappointment right now, remember that you can rely on Jesus. When we recognize God’s goodness, even in our daily struggles and disappointments, then we can really know God.
When you’re struggling with unbelief, it’s easy to become extremely frustrated with Him. During these periods, the Enemy uses a variety of circumstances to oppress the mind and bring great frustration. A person who is experiencing doubt and unbelief often finds themselves on edge and anxious. Getting over your anger with Him is really about straightening out what you expect from Him. If we think of the Lord as our personal genie and believe that He will grant everything on our wish list, you’ll be mad at Him every time things go wrong. But if we know that He is our Father in heaven and that He will supply our every need according to His Will, we will not be disappointed. Philippians 4:19 says, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Having faith in Jesus is not insurance against hardships, but it is a way to endure.
Beginning to question God is often a sign that we desperately want to know the answers to our circumstances in life. It also may be a sign that we truly want to know who our Lord is so that we can see the light in the midst of our confusion. However, if it is coming from a prideful heart that says ‘I know better than God’ then we are wrong to question. If it is because we are trying to stall our obedience to the Lord, it is wrong to question. If we question God’s authority, then that too is incorrect behavior on our end. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” There is nothing we need to be discouraged by when we have full faith in God.
While God calls us every single day to not be afraid, to simply trust Him in everything can be difficult. The Christian life is a constant battle between fear and trust; anxiety and trust, and doubt and confidence. Having faith isn’t always easy work. It requires you study the Bible intently and look into historical claims. Faith will also require you to put the words of Jesus into action. Jesus said, “If any man is willing to do His will, He hall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:17). Once you engage in this way, your faith will become more solid. This won’t be easy, it won’t happen overnight but doing the work will strengthen your faith and make you a better disciple of Jesus.
