Doubts, doubts and more doubts…

Doubts, doubts and more doubts…

‘AWord From the Pastor’ By Clayton Adams

This may come as a surprise to many, but I have doubts. No, not about if God exists, I believe God does exist and is actively involved in our lives and He has good plans for us.

My doubts are just common, and perhaps not much different than your doubts. Like those of the father we read of in Mark 9:17-27. The father's son was possessed by a demonic spirit that made him mute and caused the boy to fall often inflicting great physical harm.

The father, seeking a cure and help for his son, brings the boy to Jesus' disciples, who are unable to cast out the demon and free the boy. Jesus comes to them and asks the boy's father, “How long has this been happening to him?” The boy's father responds “since he was a child.” It continues, “It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes” (9:21-24).

The father's response to Jesus is very human, reflective of the human psyche, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” I believe too but I do have my doubts. Don't you?

I suppose many may be tempted to think doubting God is a sin, I don't believe it is. Actually there are many examples revealing how God takes our doubts and uses them to strengthen our trust and faith in Him; Exodus 15 – the Israelites crossing the Red Sea and then arriving in Marah where there was no fresh water is one example. Hebrews chapter eleven list many more examples we can learn from and don't read Matthew 28:16-17 if you are inclined to believe doubt is a sin – if that is true, we're all in serious trouble!

The apostle Paul in all his journeys and experiences learned how to deal with his doubts. In his letter to the Philippian Christians, he wrote; “…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

The process of maturing spiritually, developing a strong faith and knowing God's Word repels the doubts that come so easily.

Friends, I am not asking you to come to a church, a religion, I am urging you to come to a person who can take all your hurt, shame, humiliation, regret and doubts and turn them into good. Don't dwell on how He does that, that is His business not ours, bring your doubts, issues and questions, Jesus can handle whatever you bring Him.

As David Crowder sings, “earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal…Lay down your burdens, lay down your shame, lay down hurt…” and bring your doubts – He can handle those too and help you overcome those doubts.

Clayton Adams is pastor at Earle First Assembly of God. You can e- mail him at cpalaa@ yahoo. com, or find Earle First Assembly on Facebook.