Doubt
What if I can't make myself believe?
You can't, and the Bible doesn't ask you to. Nobody can believe something just by deciding to.
“I believe. Help my unbelief!
Honest doubt is in the Bible
Jesus healed his son anyway.
- John the Baptist"Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?" Jesus pointed him to the evidence.
- ThomasWanted to touch the wounds. Jesus said, "Reach here your finger."
- The disciples"They bowed down to him, but some doubted." He sent them out anyway.
- The fatherHalf believed. His son was healed.
Jesus was patient with doubters
Not one of them was scolded away. Each one got what they needed to take the next step.
Faith isn'tFaith is
Certainty
→
Trust
All or nothing
→
Something that grows
Pretending
→
Honest
Faith is trust
The New Testament word for faith is closer to trust than to certainty. Trust comes in degrees, and it often starts small.
- Read Mark's Gospel. It takes about an hour.
- Write down the exact thing you can't accept, and ask about it.
- Look at the evidence for the resurrection.
- Pray: "If You're there, I'd like to know."
What you can do
None of these is a test. They're honest steps from wherever you are.
You don't have to force yourself to believe. Be honest, take a small step, and ask. Jesus is patient with doubters.
You shall seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.