Dealing with Doubt
Scripture:
“John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, ‘Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?’ Jesus told them, ‘Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.’ And he added, ‘God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.’”
—Matthew 11:2-6 (NLT)
It can be reassuring to realize that even someone as faithful and courageous as John the Baptist experienced moments of doubt. Imprisoned and uncertain about his future, John openly expressed his doubts about Jesus. “Are you really the one?” he asked. It’s the kind of honest question many of us have probably wrestled with ourselves, especially when life doesn’t turn out as expected.
Jesus doesn’t rebuke John for his doubt. Instead, He responds gently and points John back to the evidence of His work—the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, the gospel proclaimed to the poor. Essentially, Jesus reminded John that the Kingdom of God was indeed unfolding, even if it didn’t look exactly as John had envisioned.
Following Jesus doesn’t mean we’ll never face doubt or questions. In fact, doubt can become an opportunity to deepen our faith if we bring our honest questions to Him, just as John did. Frederick Buechner wisely observed, “Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving.”¹
We won’t always get neat answers or the outcomes we hope for, but we have the promise of Jesus’ faithful presence. Even in our uncertainty, He invites us to look at what He is doing around us, reminding us of His constant work in our lives and the world.
Reflection:
1. When have you experienced doubt in your faith? How did you respond to it?
2. How can honest questions lead you closer to Jesus rather than further away?
3. What evidence of Jesus’ presence and activity can you see in your life today?
Prayer:
Take a moment to talk to God about any doubts you might currently have or those you may encounter in the future. Ask Him to open your eyes to see the evidence of His presence and activity around you, even when you’re uncertain or struggling.
Footnotes:
¹ Buechner, Frederick. Wishful Thinking: A Seeker’s ABC. HarperOne, 1993.