“Reach out . . stop doubting and believe.” John 20:27 NIV
“Life is best lived when you choose to doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.”
My thoughts today are about “honest doubts.”
The strongest of Christians may struggle with doubt sometimes. That is not just the experience of the weak. There are times when something sounds too good to be true. You want to believe it; you want it to be true, but doubts crowd their unwanted way into your thoughts.
Thomas, an early follower of Jesus – forever labeled doubting Thomas – knows exactly where you are coming from. He became the classic example of a good person struggling with doubts, even while wanting to believe. Others said that Jesus was alive, but how could that be? He wanted it to be true. That would make so many things right that just days earlier had been so wrong. But how could that possibly be true?
But let’s look at the other side of this matter. There are moments and situations that seem too bad to be true. There are times when the battle is too severe, the future too unsure, the questions too many, and the answers too few. You don’t want the reality of the moment to be true. You just cannot believe that God would allow something like this to happen. Questions fill your mind and doubt troubles your heart. You feel hurt and confused, not sure of what to be sure. How could this be? How could this happen? Why me? Why now? What now?
When I read the Bible’s account of this strange encounter between Thomas and Jesus, I observe a couple of things that Thomas did right. He was willing to be at the very place Jesus was said to have appeared. He chose to be around people who believed exactly what he most doubted. He apparently wanted to find reason to release his honest doubts and reclaim belief. Where you choose to be and with whom who you choose to be says a lot about whether your doubts are honest, or whether they are merely stubborn disbelief.
I am encouraged that my Lord does not shun the one who struggles with honest doubts. Read John 20:19-31 NIV/NLT. Jesus seems drawn to resolve honest doubts, those being greatly different from another’s stubborn disbelief. Jesus came to where Thomas was, and helped him honestly face his doubts, and gave him every opportunity to settle his questions and uncertainty.
When I read Jesus’ words in the context of the gracious compassion and character of Jesus, I hear His words as an invitation not a harsh rebuke. He invites Thomas, “Reach out . . stop doubting and believe.” Would your life be so much simpler if Jesus would just appear and speak directly to your doubts?
Here’s the good news. He has given you the Bible, God’s Word, from which He will speak directly to your struggle to believe. When you hear truth that echoes in your heart, you are empowered to stop doubting and believe! Both are a choice you have the power to make. Many of us are first inclined to believe our doubts and doubt our beliefs. Life is best lived when you choose to doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.
My prayer for you today is: when your mind is unsure, listen in your heart to Jesus.