Doubt is the feeling you have when you are unsure about something or when you do not trust that something is true. There are many different reasons why you have doubts. For example, you may doubt that you will pass a test because you know that you did not study hard. Well, if you didn’t study, then you probably should have a bit of concern! But maybe you doubt you will pass because you just think it’s too hard for you to learn. You and I both know that if you study and do your homework, then passing should not even be a question. In this case, your doubt is untrue and makes no sense at all!
There will be times when you doubt and do not believe a teacher, a friend, or even God, and you may be really confused with what to do about it. Understanding your feelings of doubt can be tricky, and the key to getting rid of doubt is learning the truth.
There are several stories of people who experienced doubt in the Bible, and God always points them to the truth. One example is John the Baptist. In the book of Matthew, God sent John the Baptist to help prepare the hearts of people Jesus would talk to. John the Baptist ended up in jail for talking about Jesus. While he was there he really began to doubt that Jesus was the actual Son of God. He asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3).
When Jesus heard this, He got John the Baptist to stop doubting by reminding him of things he already knew to be true. Jesus had healed people and performed a lot of miracles that no one else could do. Once John the Baptist remembered these things, all of his doubt had to leave! He knew what was true.
When you experience doubt, be like John the Baptist and use it as a chance to search for and remember the truth! Do not just accept that what you feel is true. Instead pray that God helps you to find the real answer. Doubting is not good for you and it is not what God wants for you. He wants you to “[walk] in the truth” (3 John 4).
Dear God, I’m so glad Your Word is true. Thank You that I can trade my doubt for what You have to say about everything and anything. In Jesus’s name, amen.