A lack of certainty. A discounting of your abilities. A need to always second-guess yourself. An unwanted questioning over every decision you make.
Welcome to the dangerous five-letter word. The word that hinders our dreams. Also, the word that cripples our pre-designated plan & purpose from God.
D.O.U.B.T.
It crumbles our dreams. It causes us to pitter and patter. We run in circles and circles wondering “Am I even good enough for this?” “I am nowhere near qualified.” “Does God even love me?”
James 1:6 (NIV) says “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.” Doubt feels like the ocean riptide, it keeps pulling you away from your plans and purposes destined for you. You try to fight it and swim right through it, but sometimes it is hard to ignore. Doubt continues to pull you under.
But it does not have to drown your mind or your spirit.
When you are in a wave of doubt, it is time to press pause and take a moment to pray & process. Is doubt here because you are about to press beyond your comfort zone? Did doubt come to your mind because you compare your abilities to someone else, who seems to have it all together on social media? Are you doubting your abilities because you are scared to fail? Is there someone you are trying to please and appease instead of the Lord?”
Observe the surroundings, and recognize what is your plan of action to counteract the doubt. The scenario of a disciple named Thomas comes to mind in John 20 (paraphrase). Jesus had been crucified, buried, and rose from the dead, leaving the tomb empty. He makes an appearance to Mary Magdalene and then to His other disciples, but not to Thomas because he was not there at that time.
The disciples witness the glorious vision. They see Jesus. Resurrected & standing in their very presence. The Messiah fulfilled the prophecy that He would defeat the grave and come back to them. The disciples are beaming and gushing to Thomas that Jesus is back.
Thomas responds “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe (John 20:25).”
Then…
“A week later the disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked. Jesus came in and stood among them and said “Peace be with you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it on my side. Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27).
Girl, when you open the Bible, you will find verse upon verse about doubting. It is bound to come and will continue to come. The enemy only comes to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). Ever wonder if your doubts are a tactic from the enemy? The enemy makes you question your abilities, credentials, and qualifications because he does not want you to advance the Kingdom of God. When you doubt, it creates separation and distance from the Lord’s plan and purpose. Doubt is a part of the enemy’s formula. Do not let it multiply or add to it. Subtract the doubt in your mind, and add in God’s truth.
Thomas doubted because he physically wanted to see the evidence. He needed to see that Jesus was actually there with his own eyes. Jesus predicted His own death & resurrection about 3 times in the gospel prior to Him taking the cross. There were many prophecies prior to Jesus being born that predicted the situation of Jesus appearing. Thomas STILL doubted. And we STILL doubt to this day.
Sometimes we don’t get the evidence we need or the confirmation that we prayerfully ask for. Welcome to the walk of faith. Jesus defeated the enemy and conquered the grave. Squash the enemy’s lies. Replace it with the truth of God’s word. Cancel the doubt, and fill with faith.
“Stop doubting and believe. (John 20:27)” These very words fell off the lips of Jesus. Stop doubting yourself. Stop doubting your gifts and abilities. Stop doubting if God really loves you… because He does.
Believe. When doubts flood your mind, take a moment and say “believe.” “I believe you, Lord.” “I believe that you are faithful and desire goodness for my life.” “I believe that your presence is around me and within me. I believe you, Lord.”
The entire Bible is filled with stories of God and His faithfulness & unconditional love.
And your story is too filled with God’s love and faithfulness.
So my friend,
Time to shut down the doubt. Walk the walk of faith. Even when Thomas doubted, Jesus still chose to show up and verbally declare to Thomas to stop doubting and just believe!
Believe even when it doesn’t make sense in our human minds.
Believe in the Word of the Lord.
Believe that you were made for such a time as this.
Believe that the Lord’s hands are on you.
Believe that the Lord’s purpose and plan will be fulfilled.Believe that the Lord will establish the very steps to get your purpose and plans filled.
“Believe and love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37).”
YOU GOT THIS. Let your divine sunshine shine through the storms of doubt.
For further encouragement: Check out my other blog posts 🙂
To the Girl Who Battles with Chains of Perfectionism
To the Girl Who Feels Stuck
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