Topic: GROW: Dealing With Faith And Doubt

Doubt. We all have it, but we don’t always know what to do with it. The Bible heroes of faith often express doubt, frustration, and ask hard questions of God. Church is intended to be a place for people who practice a thinking faith, a faith seeking understanding. Church ought to be a place where disagreement and doubt does not destroy but leads to discernment. Christ welcomes doubters. Praise God!

Spiritual neurotics, find comfort in your Savior. Hear the sweet voice of Jesus say “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Hear the words of the apostle whom Jesus loved as he writes “so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Rest assured that not only in the space between prayers of confession, but at every moment of your walk as a struggling, imperfect, but trusting follower of Jesus, you have a righteousness that is not your own–but one given through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Sleep well knowing your father sees you not in your sin, but in your Savior. Yes, Virginia, you too can sing “Blessed Assurance.”

“Proof” is the wrong word. We don’t “prove” there is beauty in the artwork or that our spouse is in love with us. But we know it—and it is true and very real.
Is it reasonable to believe in God and in the Christian story? In this lesson, we look at clues in nature, in people, and in the story itself that has given rise to faith all over the world. Part 3 of 4.

We all have a hole in our soul. And we look around at the universe for something to fill it. Youthfulness doesn’t last, money doesn’t heal all wounds, and every technological advancement only makes the problem worse. For some, even religion hasn’t given them the satisfaction they seek. As every day goes by, and we march closer and closer to death, our soul cries out, “is that all there is?”

What if I told you that the God I serve—the God I found in Jesus Christ—provides the answer to the deepest longings of your heart? He can fill that hole in your soul that money, relationships, and even religion can’t fill. And what he offers is no pie in the sky; it will resonate with you.

Questions and doubts are not opposite faith…they are part of a life of faith. But questions and doubts can either drive us to or drive us away from exploring the Christian story. In this first lesson, I share why I believe in “a faith worthy of our questions.” First in a 4-part series titled “A Worthy Faith.”