All Christians face doubt at some point, and far more than we typically admit or talk about.

Doubt is a surprisingly strong emotion. At the surface its uncertainty in truth about something or someone, but it falls quickly into fear, loathing and anxiety. For some it can be debilitating.

Vocationally I am a firefighter. I have confidence in my turnout gear that it will keep me safe and allow me to do my job. This confidence, as well as that in my training, experience, tactics, intuition and team give me the boldness to go into a burning building and get to work.

If I doubted my gear, I wouldn’t be effective.

In so many ways Satan knows this reality better than most. In fact, its doubt he raised with Eve saying “you will certainly not die.” This doesn’t suprise us, John 8:44 calls Satan the father of lies, and as far as he is concerned this is the primary means of sowing seeds of doubt.

Satan doesn’t need to get the professing Christian to murder someone. He just needs to sow enough doubt that makes that professing Christian assume his hatred towards another image bearer is both righteous and justified. He just needs enough doubt to make the Christian ineffective.

Christians face doubt in various ways. When we are honest we realize we doubt the genuineness of our faith and conversion (am I really saved?). We doubt Gods character (how can He be good when…?) while others doubt their theology (Do I really believe this is accurate interpretation? ). Still more face doubt relating to their individual testimony (Did God really do this, or answer this prayer?).

So what are we to do? If we see our brother or sister doubting, or becoming withdrawn, isolated, fearful and anxious, how do we help? If we want to be effective in ministry, and live a flourishing life, we need boldness in faith and the character of Christ. This is the same for our brothers and sisters as well. So how do we intervene in our own life, and in those of others?

Have mercy.

We read in Jude 22, “have mercy on those who doubt.”

Let me be very clear, if your a counselor, pastor or friend and your brother or sister comes to you in doubt, and maybe even worse, in a full blown crisis of faith. Don’t just preach to them. Don’t judge them and belittle their experience. Don’t tell them to get over it and on with it. Don’t just shut them up or out. No. Have mercy.

I like to read Psalm 73 with those who struggle with doubt, or when I need a little help myself.

1 Certainly God is good to Israel, and to those whose motives are pure.

This is the truth our writer doubts, and the ultimate truth we all struggle with, especially when faced with doubt. Why would God let me struggle in my doubt? Can he really be good to me?

2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me.

And this is our response, we fell out of control and lost in our doubt.

3 For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For they suffer no pain; their bodies are strong and well fed.
5 They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do.
6 Arrogance is their necklace, and violence covers them like clothing.
7 Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; their thoughts are sinful.
8 They mock and say evil things; they proudly threaten violence.
9 They speak as if they rule in heaven, and lay claim to the earth.
10 Therefore they have more than enough food to eat and even suck up the water of the sea.

These are all the little lies that Satan places before us.

11 They say, “How does God know what we do? Is the Most High aware of what goes on?”
12 Take a good look. This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer.

And the lies grow bigger, and give birth to other sins like resentment and jealousy within the writer in this particular case.

13 I concluded, “Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle.

Exhausted.

14 I suffer all day long and am punished every morning.”

Angry.

15 If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your people.

Shamed.

16 When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me.

Confused.

If the Psalm ended here, we would only know our own experience with more clarity. Unchecked or simply buried and our doubts go spiral and only produce more and more doubt. The cycle continues.

But, the Psalmist points our hearts to worship:

17 Then I entered the precincts of God’s temple and understood the destiny of the wicked.
18 Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin.
19 How desolate they become in a mere moment. Terrifying judgments make their demise complete.
20 They are like a dream after one wakes up. O Lord, when you awake you will despise them.

We return to scripture, to truth, and worship the author and perfector of our Faith.

21 Yes, my spirit was bitter, and my insides felt sharp pain.
22 I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was as senseless as an animal before you.

We acknowledge our weakness, and sin before God.

23 But I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me by your wise advice, and then you will lead me to a position of honor.

And even more so remember that even in our weakness and sin, God holds us. That in our doubt, he guides us out by His wisdom, back to a place of honor. Out of fear, isolation and anxiety. Back into effectiveness.

25 Whom do I have in heaven but you? On earth there is no one I desire but you.
26 My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability.

God is faithful to give us rest.

27 Yes, look! Those far from you die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done.

So please, even in doubt, have mercy. Doubt does not equal unfaithfulness, or lack of faith. Even if you doubt your actual faith! He shelters us, and even our doubts are in His sovereign plan for us. Even in seasons of doubt, His presence is all we need. Doubt provides the opportunity for faith to grow, and for deeper sanctification and wisdom. If we give God our doubts, He gives us himself.

Peace be with you.

P.S. If you like good Christian Hip Hop, like I do, I think you will like this on doubt.