Guest Column 7: Is it okay to doubt?

 

                                               

A long time ago in a far away land, I stepped off the plane and was immediately enveloped by a sea of unfamiliar faces. With the formalities out of the way, I scanned the crowd and spotted an Arab gentleman holding a placard with my name. I walked up to him and offered a greeting. He replied with something I couldn’t catch, and his demeanor wasn’t very welcoming. I didn’t respond as I couldn’t comprehend a single word he said. I found myself unusually speechless; quietude seemed best under the circumstances. While I stood uncertain about how to respond, he grabbed my luggage and began to lead the way. His mission was to transport me from the airport to my new work place; an hour’s journey. A whirlwind of confusion and fear swirled in my mind even though I had been briefed that this was the standard protocol. Should I trust him to get me to my destination, or should I wait for some extra reassurance from the management? With uncertainty gnawing at me, I urged myself to make a decision swiftly! He stood, holding the cab door open for me to enter.

All on my own, with no outside solace whatsoever, my belief in my Lord soared to new heights, and I reassured myself, “Just move forward, it’s going to be alright!” There is no turning back. Did I have a choice? Nay! With unwavering faith, I let God guide me through the vast stretches of desert sands, trusting He would lead me on as He had done for many years!! (those experiences and some hilarious moments could be captured in a blog post some day)

Now, to the subject! Is it okay to doubt?

I believe, yes it is perfectly okay to doubt.

Life resembles a rollercoaster ride, brimming with exhilarating peaks and daunting drops. In those moments of ambiguity and unpredictability, we find ourselves grappling with questions that seem to have no clear resolution about what lies ahead. You do not know the next turn or twist.

Why does doubt creep in? Our minds are naturally geared towards being actively involved and curious. We are always engaged in the ongoing journey of experimenting, contemplating, and gaining knowledge. Along the way, when faced with uncertainties and unpredicted circumstances, look who wanders in?  Doubt.

How do we tackle our uncertainties? Doubt requires illumination for showing the path. It’s akin to  dispelling darkness; a lamp is called for.  It just doesn’t help simply to deny doubts or to feel guilty about them.

Doubt can be a tricky mindset to navigate. Any respite? Yes. Seek the One who can eliminate uncertainty. Look to His Word for guidance and connect with Him through prayer.

A friendly reminder: We don’t have to tackle everything by ourselves. There is plenty of assistance accessible. I’ve found that adhering to God’s guidance, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, often results in much better outcomes than relying only on my own insights. This lesson is crucial, and I make sure to be  mindful of it all the time.

When something profoundly affects your life during challenging times, seeking answers is natural. Look to God, not the circumstances. Think about how big our God is! True faith isn’t just believing in God; it’s about trusting in God, walking with God, even when we are filled with doubt and make mistakes.

The serpent’s first question in the creation narrative, “Did God really say that?”, cleverly sowed seeds of doubt in the minds of Adam and Eve. Then there were Cain, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samson, Saul, David, Solomon, Elijah, Jonah, and Paul. The list goes on. Thomas wasn’t the only doubter. Is it normal? I don’t know. But it is not uncommon.

In a discussion on an open forum once, there was this question: As Christians, is it okay to doubt? Some individuals responded passionately, exclaiming, “Absolutely not! Where is your faith? You must believe! The Bible commands you to do so!”

I was a little amused. Now, we do know that many Christians, just like everyone else, encounter times of doubt and uncertainty in their faith. To me, the concept – indeed the substance – of faith is incredibly profound. Even though the journey has been challenging, I am dedicated to nurturing this unique gift of the Holy Spirit.”

As we read in (Gal 5: 22-23) “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things, there is no law.”

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.

James 1:6 reads “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind”.

Romans 1:17 states, “For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’.

I am also reminded of one of the greatest theological and philosophical minds of the past, C.S. Lewis who shares that ‘Faith like many beliefs, follows from evidence and is subject to challenges.’ Faith seems to consolidate as a result of sound reasoning.

Faith has a companion. She is called courage. Faith doesn’t mean you won’t have doubts; it means, you choose to act despite them. What about courage? Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the willingness to act despite it. If waves of doubt threaten to shake your faith, remember to stay calm and steadfast.

Life is a solitary journey; no one else can walk it for us. But there’s always the tiny voice at the back of my mind that says, “You see, I’m here, I’m in charge of this creation. I’m sovereign.” Oh, what a comfort!!

The whisperer –  our adversary – sows doubts in our thoughts. Be ready to confront him with the Word! He doesn’t stand a chance.

Read Colossians 1: 23 “If you continue in your faith, established and firm, do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.”

My dear friends, while we may not have had an encounter with Jesus, we can still have faith in the goodness of God. Even in times of doubt, fear, and uncertainty, there is a part of us that clings to hope and love for Jesus. This love is strong and all-encompassing. Let’s nurture it and spread it to others. May we find comfort in God’s peace, even amidst our doubts.

Doubt your doubts.

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The author’s bio (in her own words):

# Medical Microbiologist. I love science. Aww! The freaking microbes are my best friends. You can call me a virus hunter too—status quo for almost two decades. I love assisting physicians to diagnose and aid in healing humans efficiently. An alumna of the CMC Vellore, my career trajectory led me to the vibrant Middle East; my profile was enhanced there, working alongside professionals from the Royal Health Ministry. My “Aha” moments are when I’m engrossed in reading. How magically they steal my time! Currently a homemaker, I consider it a real privilege to write as a guest in one of the remarkable weblogs I follow avidly!