Doubt is often treated as the enemy of faith. But a closer look at Scripture reveals that even the most faithful struggled with questions and uncertainty.
Doubt in the Bible
Thomas wanted to touch Jesus' wounds before believing. John the Baptist, from prison, asked if Jesus was really the Messiah. David cried out, "Why, LORD, do you stand far off?" Even Jesus himself quoted Psalm 22 from the cross:
Psalms 22:1
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
One of the most honest prayers in all of Scripture comes from a desperate father:
Mark 9:24
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
What Doubt Can Teach Us
Doubt Invites Deeper Faith
Honest questions can lead to stronger convictions. Thomas's doubt led to one of the greatest confessions in all of Scripture:
Doubt is Not the Same as Unbelief
Doubt asks questions; unbelief refuses answers. The doubter seeks truth; the unbeliever has already decided. There's a vast difference between struggling with faith and abandoning it.
God Can Handle Our Questions
The Psalms are full of hard questions directed at God. He doesn't punish the psalmists for their honesty—he invites it. We can bring our doubts to him in prayer.
Moving Through Doubt
When doubt comes, don't run from it. Bring it to God. Study Scripture. Seek community with other believers. Often, working through doubt leads to a faith that is tested, refined, and ultimately stronger.