By Agbortem JeanChristian life is full of challenges and trials and one of our weaknesses is doubt. It is very difficult to believe that we can be facing one trouble or the other when we are children of God.
The reality is that as Christians we must go the same way Jesus went to reach Calvary for he himself said, "And whoever does not take up his cross and come after me is not worthy of me." Mt 10:38. Sirach 2:1-6
In the various trials, hardship, failures and tribulations we face, our first weakness is always doubt and this brings about fear and sometimes separates us from our fellowship with God. This lesson is meant to help us overcome doubts and be firm in our faith in God.
To doubt is to be in the state of being unsure of something. In the Christian language to doubt is to be of little faith; that is to be at the state of not believing the word of God.
We are often challenged by this spiritual weakness. At times we feel like God is not there or his word is not true. This is normal for every Christian but what matters here is the consequence of doubt. To doubt is not a sin but the consequences of doubt. That is why as Christians we must not allow our doubts to take us away from God. Peter doubted when Jesus invited him to walk on water and he started sinking because the doubt brought fear in him. (Mathew 14:28-31)
A typical Biblical reference to this is found in the Gospel of Luke 7. John the Baptist who at this time was in prison sent his disciples to Jesus saying, “Are you the one or should we expect another?” How could John who testified to Jesus in various occasions be the one to put this question before Jesus?
Among all the trials one may face, none is as difficult to bear as that of being in prison. At this time, John who was in prison and was not seeing any forth coming salvation and liberation from prison fell in a state of despair. The Jews thought that the messiah was to come and liberate them from the Roman tyranny. John being a Jew also had this ideology. Jesus answered him with a message of hope and courage. "Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor are given good news.” (Luke 7:22)
In moments of doubt; when we ask ourselves, why God? Why me? Why this one? Here is a simple recipe for our spiritual enhancement:
1Turn to the word of God: The Psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light for my path” (Ps 119:105). Whenever we are in doubts, we are in darkness and so we need a light to enkindle our way else we go the wrong way. At this moment we need not rely on ourselves but on what God says in the Bible. “What is God saying about this particular situation?” Not on what humans are saying. After all everything is possible for God. Luke 1:37. The Bible being our only dictionary to find answers to questions of faith, is the first dosage to overcome doubt. That is why Christians are advised not to only read the word of God daily but have it with them where ever they go. In reading the word of God in faith in moments of doubts, it will help to strengthen us and help us face what ever we are going through. Joshua 1:8. Ps 119:165. “Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true!" (Luke 1:45)
2. Trust in the Lord: “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart; do not rely on your own insight. Let his presence pervade all your ways and he will protect your foot from the snare. Do not consider yourself wise, fear God, and turn away from evil. This will be a medicine to your body and a relief to your bones. Honour Yahweh, giving him from what you have, the first fruits of all your produce. Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, your vats will brim over with wine.” Proverb 3:5-10.
To trust in God is to have total confidence and dependence in God. Here we are talking about having absolute confidence in God. This is the ultimate step to combating doubt. It is our trust in God that makes us remain faithful and steadfast to him when things are not going the way we would have loved. This is what made men and women of faith in the Bible to remain with God even to death. When King Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and asked them to bow down before the idol he made, if not they shall be thrown in the fire, they said; "King Nebuchadnezzar, we need not defend ourselves before you on this matter. If you order us to be thrown into the furnace, the God we serve will rescue us. But even if he won't, we would like you to know, O king that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)
They trusted so much in God that they knew God could not abandoned them. They preferred to die than to fear death and disobey God and He did not abandon because He rescued them from the fire. Many Christian martyrs died for their trust in God and the Bible clearly tells us that those who trust in God are like mount Zion that can never be shaken. (Ps 125:1) For further reading Ps 84:13, Ps 115:11, Ps 46:1-4.
It is this trust in God that makes us believe that that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. Romans 8:28.
Therefore though you may be going through trials or tribulations, you remain faithful to God because you know that God is going to use your trials to work for your good. James 1:12. To trust in God in God is to totally submit to his will and accept whatever comes our way in faith. I remember the night I buried my son David Joachim; it was so difficult for me to believe that God could allow my son to die. I remember in my prayers in tears of having said to God; “Father I am not happy to have lost my son but I accept your verdict and your will.”
3) Patience: One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is patience and this is the greatest weapon against doubt. "See how those who were patient are called blessed. You have heard of the patience of Job and know how the Lord dealt with him in the end. For the Lord is merciful and shows compassion."James 5 :11 We need to be patient in moments of trials because it makes us to be immovable. No hesitation! No panic!
At times we are in such a hurry to have solutions to problems that we don’t give God time to act. When the children of Israel saw the Red Sea in front of them as they left Egypt, and the Egyptian army behind them; they started crying to Moses that it would have been better for them to die in Egypt than in the desert: Moses told them to be calm and allow God to act. "Have no fear! Stay where you are and see the work Yahweh will do to save you today. The Egyptians whom you see today, you will never see again! Yahweh will fight for you and all you have to do is to keep still." Exodus 14:13-14. Be still and know that I am God is what God is asking from you in moments of trials. Psalm 46:10
God is our strength and protection, an ever-present help in affliction. We will not fear, therefore, though the earth be shaken and the mountains plunge into the seas, though its waters foam and roar, though the mountains quake and totter. For the Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob, our stronghold. Psalm 46, 1-3
4) Seek spiritual assistance: Sometimes even though we have faith and trust in God, we may still feel the load of trials on on us. Share your situations with someone who can help to fortify you spiritually. In doing this you may be assisted spiritually in prayers and words of advice. Even strong men of God do go to others for advice and counselling. Don’t stay alone in your small corner without letting someone know what you are going through. The more you share your problems with some one the lighter it becomes for you to bear. That person may be a God sent angel to help you. Do not abandon the assemblies as some of you do, but encourage one another, and all the more since the Day is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25.
5) God loves and cares for you: In such difficult moments it is at times difficult to believe that God even cares for us. Yes he does! The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves the distraught. Many are the troubles of the just, but the Lord delivers them from all. He keeps all their bones intact, and none of them will be broken. Psalm 34: 19-20. God’s love for us is without measure and nothing can separate us from this love. Romans 8:31-39. Always remember that God loves you in everything.
I don’t know what your problem may be, or what you may be going through; it may be the dead of a loved one, a lost of job, disappointment, etc. All I want you to know is that God sees and knows what you are going through and is with you even at this moment for this is what he promised: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; neither will the flames consume you. Isaiah 43:2. Remain faithful to God and he will come to your rescue at the right moment. For Happy are those who patiently endure trials, because afterwards they will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him. James 1:12.
May the good God help us to overcome doubts and fear in moments of trials so as to remain faithful to him in Jesus name; Amen.
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