Laying Down Doubt

Was Thomas faith-less, or full of faith? Commonly known as ‘Doubting Thomas’, this disciple of Jesus is often knocked for his questions and not respected for his faith. Yes, he doubted the news of Jesus’ resurrection, but his doubt had a purpose-he wanted to know, see, and experience the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. Here is the key: Thomas didn’t idolize his doubts; when approached by Jesus to believe in his resurrection, Thomas gladly believed. Doubt was not his way of life. While he had uneasy feelings and questions that need to be answered, he honestly made them known; but when his questions were answered he laid his feelings to rest and joyfully embraced the truth of Jesus’ resurrection

THINK and PRAY:

How do you deal with doubts?

There is nothing wrong with feelings of doubt. But there is something wrong with living in our feelings of doubt. Notice Jesus’ words to Thomas in John 20:27 “Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” Jesus desires for us to be people of faith; to be people who identify with faith and belief, not people who identify with doubt. This was Jesus' challenge to Thomas who could easily begin to identify with his feelings and questions of doubt-believe! Be a person of belief, Thomas, not a person of doubt! This same invitation is extended to us today in whatever situation that may cause us to identify with our questions and doubt. Believe. Jesus tells us to look at the evidence of what he has done for us, the reality of his work in our lives-saving us, forgiving us, changing us-the same way he told Thomas to look at his nail-scarred hands and pierced side. Jesus says to see the reality of his work, not the shifting shadows of doubt. Pray and ask for God to help you with your questions and doubts. Pray and ask to be reminded of his real work in your life.