A Bout With Doubt

​Doubting Thomas.
Imagine being remembered throughout the ages as the disciple who doubted Jesus. If I had been Thomas, I think I would have rather been called Trusting Tom or the believing one instead of the doubting one.
No doubt Thomas struggled from time to time with doubt. Before we judge Thomas too harshly, if you and I are honest, we need to remember that we battle with unbelief and have bouts of doubt from time to time too.
John 20:19-29 records an encounter Thomas had with Jesus after the Lord’s resurrection. Read the passage to understand the context of what Thomas experienced.
Jesus appeared to the disciples. Thomas was absent. Jesus greeted His faithful followers with “Peace be with you” and then they received the Holy Spirit. Jesus left.
When Thomas arrived, the disciples greeted him with “we have seen the Lord.” Thomas doubted. He remarked “Unless I see in His hands and the imprint of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails and put my hand in His side I WILL NOT BELIEVE.”
Guess what Jesus did? Eight days later, door locked, the Lord appeared to Thomas and the other disciples.
 Verses 27-29 state “Then He said to Thomas “Reach here your finger and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it in my side; and be not unbelieving but believing. Thomas answered and said to Him “My Lord and my God.” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? BLESSED ARE THEY WHO DID NOT SEE, AND YET BELIEVED.”
Oh my! I love what took place. Two things that Jesus did that warm my heart.

1. Jesus knew that Thomas struggled with doubt. So, He showed up just for him. Personally, for the doubting one. Tom, here are my wounds. Touch them. They are real and so am I. I have risen from the dead.

Thomas’s confession “My Lord and my God” was on point for what he witnessed. But his confession fell short. Jesus asked a question that must have pierced Thomas’s heart. Have you believed only because of what you have seen? Chew on that one Thomas. You and me too!

1. Teaching time. Here it is Thomas and the rest of you. The Lord declared that blessed are those who did not see but believed.

For all time, Jesus declared that faith does not have to see. My followers walk by faith, not sight. Jesus ministered to Thomas in a personal, caring, kind way then dropped the truth bombshell Thomas and all Christians need.  
In the future, I have an inkling Thomas doubted a lot less! What do you think? He ministered the Good News of Christ across India and Asia and died as a martyr for his faith.
What To Do When Doubting

• Understand doubt is natural and normal for us human beings, Christians included. We all have a little bit of “Doubting Thomas” in us.
• We do not have to doubt, but when we do, the Lord helps us out.
• Fight doubt with faith. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world that doubts God (I John 5:4).
• Do not pout. Push through doubt. Fight through doubt to faith.
• Saturate your spirit with scriptural examples of faith (Hebrews 11) and promises of the power of faith (Mark 11:22-24).
• Surround yourself with fellow faith fighters who will help you stamp doubt out.
• When you win over doubt shout praise to the Lord for helping you out.
• Share with others who are struggling with doubt the way out through to victorious faith in Jesus.

Faith gives us clout over doubt.
Faith believes without seeing and acts accordingly. Hebrews 11:1-2 states “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” Then the writer recalls the faith of men and women of God in the Hall of Fame of Faith throughout the rest of the chapter. Every person believed before they received. Each saw with the eye of faith before they held the object of their faith in hand.
Reading and meditating on their faith stirs my faith, challenging me to “believe without seeing” as Jesus told Thomas and the other disciples  
Struggling with doubt? Having trouble finding your way out? Wondering what is wrong with your faith? Do you wrestle with believing without seeing? How about learning believing about not seeing and still believing?
God is so good when we have a bout with doubt. He will not condemn us. He will send His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit to comfort, minister and teach lessons us about trusting in Him.
Take heart my friend. With the Holy Spirit’s help, take doubt out with simple, childlike, sincere, scriptural faith in Christ. Call doubt what it is. It is an attack on your faith. Hit it hard head on with God’s Word about faith. Confess faith over your doubt and it will have to take a hike!
Believing without seeing sends doubt down the road!
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6   
A Word For Your Week: You can win your bout with doubt!