Recently, I have struggled with doubt. I know that I am not alone in my struggle; that everyone faces doubt at some time. Doubt, after all, is the limitation of our human nature; it is the characteristic weakness of our human mind.
What should I do about my doubt? How can I better cope with my doubt?
While doubt can serve a wonderful purpose in helping us grow in our faith and as intellectual beings, it can also stunt our growth.
The following quote is an excerpt from a Bible study compilation, Streams in the Desert, by LB Cowman (edited and updated by Jim Reimann (Zondervan)), that provides a guide to facing doubt from a Biblical perspective:
“You should get into the habit of looking for the silver lining of storm clouds. And once you have found it, continue to focus on it, rather than the dark grey of the center. Do not yield to discouragement no matter how severely stressed or surrounded by problems you may be. A discouraged soul is in a helpless state, being neither able to stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11) himself nor able to prevail in prayer for others. Flee every symptom of the deadly foe of discouragement as you would run from a snake. Never be slow to turn your back on it, unless you desire to eat the dust of defeat.
Search for specific promises of God, saying aloud of each one, “This promise is MINE.” Then if you still experience feelings of doubt and discouragement, pour your heart out to God, asking Him to rebuke the Adversary who is so mercilessly harassing you.
The very instant you wholeheartedly turn away from every symptom of discouragement and lack of trust, the blessed Holy Spirit will reawaken your faith and breathe God’s divine strength into your soul. Initially you may be unaware that this is happening, but as you determine to uncompromisingly shun every attack of even the tendency toward doubt and depression, you will quickly see the powers of darkness being turned back.
Oh, if only our eyes could see the mighty armies of strength and power that are always behind our turning away from the hosts of darkness toward God, there would be no attention given to the efforts of our cunning Foe to distress, depress or discourage us! All the miraculous attributes of the Godhead are marshaled on the side of even the weakest believer who, in the name of Christ and in simple, childlike trust, yields himself to God and turns to Him for help and guidance.”
So, how do we overcome doubt?
Here are ten things to remember:
1. Make it a habit to look for the silver lining in any problem or doubt. So much of our human behavior is habitual. We overcome a bad habit with a new, good habit.
2. Focus on what is good and positive. Again, a new, healthy habit replaces an old, unhealthy one.
3. Focus on the big picture (and leave the details to God). Our problems are small when placed in proper perspective. Everything is small when compared to eternity.
4. Focus on being useful. As Christians, we are not on this earth to serve ourselves or our own interests, but to serve others: whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant...For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:43,45) Yet, how can we help others if we don’t help ourselves first? It is by helping others that we help ourselves. So, conquering doubt is not about fixing something, it’s about DOING something.
5. We physically turn our back on doubt. We run from doubt, from it’s poisonous bite. We SHUN doubt. We don’t just ignore doubt, we KEEP AWAY FROM doubt.
6. Doubt is a space filler, not a show piece. That means that doubt can only occupy the spaces in our hearts and minds that are not already occupied with something else. We must fill up the empty spaces of our mind with God’s promises and lay up His Word in our heart: you shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 11: 18-20).
7. Pray. Petition God for help. A good place to start is in the Book of Psalms. David teaches us how to bare our hearts to God, how to call on God in our time of struggle, how to praise Him, even in our darkest hour. The following list is not exhaustive:
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:9-10
The promises of the LORD are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6
O LORD my God, in you I take refuge... Psalm 7:1
Make your way straight before me. Psalm 5:8
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:7-8
In your presence there is fullness of joy... Psalm 16:11
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Psalm 17: 6-7
This God - - his way is perfect; the promise of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30
Make me to know your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4
Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. Psalm 25:18
The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts. Psalm 28:7
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:4-5
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. Psalm 73:25
8. If you don’t know how to pray, or if you are not yet a Christian, or if you are a Christian who feels defeated or disconnected, read through the Psalms aloud and let that be your prayer for now.
9. Remember that doubt is nothing more than a manifestation of fear. Some fear in our lives serves a useful purpose, but fear unchecked, leaves us feeling depleted and defeated. So, let us offer encouragement to one another in our faith: Therefore encourage one another and build up each other...(1 Thessalonians 5:11) The God we pray to is not a myth or an abstract feature of the universe; He is the one true living God. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.(Psalm 90:2)(also, Psalm 115; Exodus 20:3)
10: Leave it to God. Once we have acknowledged our deficiency, petitioned God for help, thanked Him and praised Him for His Promises, we must finally trust Him to carry our burden. This can be the challenging part of dealing with doubt. We sometimes demand and expect that our doubt should be replaced with certainty, when really the only cure for doubt is faith.
