When I first experienced my autoimmune disease, I experienced immense doubt about God. I doubted God’s goodness, protection, and love. How could a good God allow us to experience such pain, hardship, and heartache? With these questions running through my mind, I turned away from God. I was still reading the Bible and doing all the “Christian” things, but I didn’t have a real relationship with God.
During seasons of doubt, we tend to drift away from God. Whenever we face a season of doubt, we should challenge ourselves to turn to God. Even if we are asking God a question, we are still talking to God. Talk to God in prayer, pour out your heart to Him and find the root of your pain. All your questions are too much for God.
As you walk through this season of doubt, hold fast to these seven Biblical truths.
1. God is with you (Isaiah 41:10)
“Do not therefore fear, for I am with you; do not be discouraged; for I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
What do you suspect? Do you know that God is with you? For those who have gone through traumatic experiences such as abandonment, it can be difficult to know that God is with them. But we must rely on God to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
God is with you. God will strengthen you, help you, and uphold you with his righteous right hand. How do you feel when you hear this? Breathe and sit in God’s presence. Allow God’s love to cover the broken parts of your heart.
2. God walks with us through the mountains and valleys (Psalm 23:1-6)
“Though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff will comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
My darkest valley was the aftermath of my mother’s death. Nothing has changed since she died. I feel scared, alone, and doubtful. God has graciously met me where I am. God didn’t tell me to work on trust and then turn to Him. Instead, God accepted me for who I am, doubts, fears, insecurities and all. Don’t be afraid to rely on God, because He also accepts you.
Rest in peace, God is with you. Even if you don’t feel God, God is still with you. Which valley will you pass today? Perhaps you are passing through the valley of the shadow of death. Challenge yourself to come to the Lord with your doubts and rest in His presence.
3. God is good (Psalm 100:1-5)
“For the Lord is good; his love endures forever, and his faithfulness endures from generation to generation” (Psalm 100:5).
When there is great doubt, we may find it difficult to believe that God is good. Normalize this thought and let it go without judgment. Talk to God about your questions. Pour it out to God (1 Peter 5:7). Let the peace of God wash over you (Philippians 4:6-7).
Psalm 100:5 reminds us that the Lord is good and that His love and faithfulness will endure forever. Whenever we doubt God’s goodness, we must remember all that He has overcome for us. Maybe he answered a big prayer request? Have you felt God’s comfort after losing a loved one?
God is good and we should never doubt Him. The bad things that happen in this world are not God’s fault. Horrible things happen in this world because of sin (Genesis 3). Try to separate God from the evil you see around you. God is not the author of evil. He is a peacemaker.
4. God heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3)
“The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
This season of doubt you are experiencing will not last forever. God will give you rest. He will heal your broken heart and bind your wounds. Your doubts stem from wondering if you’ll ever find a rewarding job, true friends, or a spouse. When these desires are not met, it is common to doubt God.
Know that everything will work out in God’s perfect timing. God works everything out for your good (Romans 8:28). Maybe you really thought you had landed your dream job or found Mr. Right, but it was just a dead end. Trust God in these doubtful times. God is pleased when you believe in Him (Hebrews 11:6).
5. God’s love for you is immeasurable (Romans 8:37-39)
“No, in all these things we are more than overcomers through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
Sadly, many of us doubt God’s love for us. This is often due to having gone through many difficult times. If you’ve ever experienced a job loss, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one, it’s normal to feel depressed and doubt God. During these seasons of doubt, God wants you to know that He loves you.
God loves you despite the pain you are experiencing and that will never change. There is nothing you can do to make God stop loving you. Love is the very existence of God. Hold fast to your promises in Christ. Your Father loves you and you will never be separated from Him again.
6. God has great things in store for you (Ephesians 3:20-21)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than anything we ask or imagine, according to his power that works in us, be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
God has wonderful things in store for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9). The doubts you are experiencing will not weigh on you forever. Lean into the truth of God’s Word and rely on His promises. As Paul says, God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
What does this tell you about God? What amazing things has God done in your life? Let these things help you see the light in the darkness. God’s ever-present love brings light to the darkest nights.
7. God has a unique plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Do you have doubts about your future? Perhaps you don’t know where God is leading you. Keep in mind the truth that God has a special plan for your life. These are plans that only you can realize.
Find hope, comfort, and encouragement in this truth. Come to the Lord in prayer today and ask Him to reveal His will to you. Knowing where God is leading us can ease our doubts. You may still struggle with doubt from time to time, but you will know that God is always for you and will never be against you (Romans 8:31).
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/TinnakornJorruang
Vivian Bricker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and then a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Theology. She loves theology, ministry, and all things helping others learn about Jesus. Check out more of her content on Cultivate.
