Why Do We Doubt?
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.
James 1:6
Do we entertain doubt when we pray or when we minister to others? How do you think doubt affects our faith, and the answer to our prayers? And what does our doubt tell God about our faith in him? Doubt is something Satan puts in our hearts, telling us that we cannot fully trust God and his promises. So how do we overcome doubt?
Before we can destroy doubt, we have to be confident in our hearts that we are serving the Lord, giving him control, and living in Godly wisdom as we minister to this lost world. As we strive to be his servants, he is pleased because we are demonstrating our love and revealing our faith to him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6) This verse is key in overcoming doubt.
We realize God is faithful in all of his promises and that it is impossible for God to lie. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:17-20) Nothing is more pleasing to God than for us to trust him, living in his promises and killing any doubt from Satan. Doubt can easily kill our faith in the Lord. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) Our faith shows we know the Lord and the love of the Lord, because faith comes from love. If we have doubt in our faith, is it really faith?
When we pray, we make sure it will bring glory to God. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13) If our prayer brings glory to God then we know without a doubt God will answer it. Now real faith is to accept the Lord’s answer and timing. If we expect God to answer our prayers our way and in our timing, we are trying to limit his love and power in our lives. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20) If we strive to walk in obedience as the Lord’s servants we can positively know that God will answer our prayers giving us more than we ask for. God knows us, our circumstances, those in our lives, and he goes with us and before us. Therefore, he answers our prayers with his divine understanding and infinite love and wisdom.
Today, destroy any and all doubt, even if you have to demand it of yourself in strong, verbally spoken words. Tell the Lord you will trust him no matter what happens in life because you know he is God. The more strongly we tell ourselves to overcome doubt, and the more we pray for the Lord’s divine help, the more doubt from Satan will be destroyed. Victory over Satan is immensely satisfying. Keep serving the Lord and wait with excitement for the Lord to reveal himself in your life.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me today to fully trust you and to destroy any doubt from Satan. I am thankful that you are willing to guide me through life, answering my prayers, revealing your love and divine power to the world and to me. Thank you Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.