What to do with doubts?

[blartz]

It's really tiring being a doubter. At least it's tiring being a doubter who has not yet learned how to order his doubts around, and instead often gets ordered around by his doubts. While it is very comforting to me having learned that faith can be intermingled with doubts and fears, for instance, saying, "I believe it will be sunny today, but it might rain," my doubts still oftentimes spook me into wondering if I've genuinely made the choice to believe in Christ.

Now I know that sounds strange. "How can you not know if you've made a choice...?" But it's really the question I wrestle with. It's hard to feel like I've put a stake in the ground and have made a choice when doubts float around my mind like, "what if God doesn't exist?", "what if such and such didn't really happen?", "what if such and such isn't true?" Now I hate those thoughts and wish they would go away, but I have to be honest and say they're often interjected with what little faith I have. So, sometimes I wonder if the doubts are more than doubts, like I'm still pondering, so to speak, in the middle, not having made up my mind. I don't want that. I want to say with great affirmation "I have decided to follow Jesus!"

I have tried to view the doubts as merely temptations to change my choice, which provides a little comfort, but I still feel like I could use some advice on how I could affirm to myself that I have already made a decision and have chosen to believe in Christ, in God, in the Bible. Also, what do I say to these kinds of doubts? Intellectually, I know that these doubts need not stand in the way of me being saved, for "all manner of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men." But clearly, spiritually (or perhaps emotionally) they're still causing me anxiety and keeping me from being sure I'm saved.

So, what do I do with these doubts? And what are good ways to affirm to myself that I have made my choice?

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

change your focus.

right now your focus is on your doubts; but think carefully about this - you didn't say that you doubted that you made a choice to believe - the doubts in your head have not moved the belief in your heart.

focus on the choice you made by going back to God's word when the doubts come - His word casts out doubts, as faith (confident belief) comes by hearing and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:6,17) - right now you're hearing the doubts because your focus is not on His word.

the devil is actually acknowledging that he knows that you believe by bombarding you with doubts...

 

[Johnnz]

We must have a stable basis for what we believe. Many churches don't seem tp preware people well in establsihing a ell thougt out basis for being a Christian. There are many on on sites with good material that gives thoughful Christian approached and respnses to issues that we need some insights into. Your doubts may derive from a lack of suitable information. they are not in any way related to any personal failures or inadequacies on your part.

John
NZ

 

[BFine]

I also recommend this Bible study:
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god.htm

 

[paul1149]

change your focus.

I think Disciple has the right answer. We all have doubts at times. If we don't we're not progressing in faith, because we're in a race from one level to the next. But it's important to keep looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. When we bear the burden ourselves things go downhill very quickly. It's like Peter walking on water. As long as he looked to Jesus he was fine. When he considered the wind and waves he began to sink. Had he thought about it rationally, just being out on the water like that was a miracle. Would then not Christ be able to see him through all the way?

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it until it receives the early and the late rains.
You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. -jam 5.7-8

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
-php 1.6 ​

 

[Quasicentennial]

Trust requires an attitude of honesty and respect together with facts that must be true to the heart, and when we have faith in Jesus who died for our sins, every deception that Satan would throw at us, we believers of Christ would analyze each one and might experience such deception, such as doubt, before brushing it aside like it was made of fluff:.
Faith is the spiritual living presence of the holy spirit that is Jesus Christ, as well as the future-coming physical evidence of his identity where disease, disability and old age do not exist in his sinless, resurrected new genius-intelligent mind, besides his measure-perfect body, where he knows everyone in the past, present and future -
just like our Father God Jehovah who created Adam and Eve, and who has an eternal omniscient mind so powerful on 'eternity' - a word that describes the beginning and endless end of time, he had already future-seen Satan's deception on poor Adam and Eve before Satan's failure to defeat the newly resurrected Jesus Christ in his Second Coming future victory return:.
When Jesus returns and transforms us with genius-intelligent minds of Christ, besides our measure-perfect bodies of Christ, we will know the secrets of the Word Of God in greater depth and clarity, especially the complex life forms of bacteria, viruses, animals and plants since the beginning of our living sole planet Earth, besides human life, the solar system,
the universe and the 'invisible parallel universe' that is heaven, which contains the massive construction-safe kingdom of God for our free-for-all home accommodation on a new paradise Earth - with material comfort and luxury that is light years advanced which I call 'supernatural technology', the next generation technology after mankind's 21st century modern technology.;'*';.

 

[blartz]

change your focus.

Yeah...You probably already knew this when you suggested this, but this is easier said than done. It's very good advice, and I want to follow it. But it's oh so difficult for obsessive minds like mine. Any ideas how to train myself?

right now your focus is on your doubts; but think carefully about this - you didn't say that you doubted that you made a choice to believe

Actually, I thought that's exactly what I was saying. Well, in a roundabout way. Having doubts about being saved is a roundabout doubt asking "Have I made that choice?" But maybe I'm not thinking carefully enough about it, which is partly what I'm asking: How can I show myself "Hey, self! I've made a decision! Now stop arguing with me, self!" and be confident about it?

focus on the choice you made by going back to God's word when the doubts come - His word casts out doubts, as faith (confident belief) comes by hearing and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:6,17) - right now you're hearing the doubts because your focus is not on His word.

It's a pity, but sometimes God's word reminds me of my doubts. It's like, "Oh yes, you're reading about the subject of which you struggle with doubt," and that bad attitude causes more doubt. However, I do believe you that this is good advice. Someone told me God's word is effective even if you don't feel like it, like a double-edged sword is sharp even if you don't believe it is. I could use some strategies, though, for how to put doubts aside while reading the word to make it a more encouraging, growing experience.

the devil is actually acknowledging that he knows that you believe by bombarding you with doubts...

Thank you for this encouragement.

 

[blartz]

Your doubts may derive from a lack of suitable information. they are not in any way related to any personal failures or inadequacies on your part.

Thanks, but it sure makes me feel inadequate. I don't think my doubts derive from lack of information. I'm not saying I'm a scholar; I have way more to learn than I have already learned, yet I've done some pretty comprehensive independent Bible study over the years. So, I think it just derives more from my lack of confidence and my obsessive, second-guessing nature.

 

[Goodbook]

Eliminate the words 'but' and 'what if' from your vocabulary.

Everytime you have that thought or say it, put some money in the doubt jar.

All the promises of God are yea and amen. Those whom are doubleminded dont receieve anything from the Lord. Be singleminded. Just want to encourage you, Jesus said to doubting thomas, put your hands on my hands and my side to feel where he had the scars.


Also..saying the nicean creed is a good practice.

 

[Goodbook]

You need to be casting out doubt whos root is fear...perfect love casts out fear, for fear has torment. Get some action in it and use Jesus name.

Kick those doubts to the curb. He has given you the authority.

 

[blartz]

But it's important to keep looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. When we bear the burden ourselves things go downhill very quickly. It's like Peter walking on water. As long as he looked to Jesus he was fine. When he considered the wind and waves he began to sink. Had he thought about it rationally, just being out on the water like that was a miracle. Would then not Christ be able to see him through all the way?

Good, I wanted to ask someone about this point. Now I fully believe you that I'm much better off taking my eyes off my doubts and situation and onto Jesus. At the same time, though...my doubts are real. So, here's my question: How can I feel comfortable looking to the very Person I'm having doubts about? I know that the Lord is infinitely forgiving, merciful and loving, yet I can't help but feel terribly disingenuous looking to Jesus while at the same time doubting. Again, intellectually, I know that looking to him--even through clouds of doubt, even if I can't see him very clearly or at all--is faith, if only mustard-seed faith. And I know a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoking flax he will not quench. But when I take my focus off myself, my doubts, and my situation, and put my focus on Jesus, how do I shake the bad feeling that comes with that which says, "I'm bringing you doubts...doubts about you" and be confident there's no self-deception on my part? In short, I guess I'm just sharing that it's a very bad feeling doubting the very Person I need to help me with my doubts. Do I ignore that feeling and just keep looking to him, patiently waiting for help and guidance and for him to make my doubts fade away?

 

[blartz]

Eliminate the words 'but' and 'what if' from your vocabulary.

This is so difficult to do. But I know you're right. There's no buts or what ifs in the gospel.

Everytime you have that thought or say it, put some money in the doubt jar.

Can I really just brush off doubts as a simple lapse or boo-boo? My brain is so programmed to feel like doubting is anti-faith, causing a big alarm to sound in my head.

Be singleminded.

Yes! I want to be. Again, it's so difficult. It seems like I'm in the middle of a doubt before I even realize it. Or there's a list of them in my head and my mind is constantly saying, "Don't forget these doubts you have!" How do I reverse this process? How do I train to be singleminded?

Also..saying the nicean creed is a good practice.

Someone tells me that repetition is my friend at this point. Will saying something over and over eventually pound it into my head?

 

[Goodbook]

Yep, i found it helpful.

For me what helped was a tape called combat scriptures. They had scriptures set to song and i played them over and over so i memorized them.

 

[Goodbook]

Think of doubts as like dust sticking to your feet. You dont want to track them in your nice clean house. Brush off the dust, then go wash them.

 

[Goodbook]

And wear the sandals of the gospel.

Also look in epehesians about the armour of God. The enemy is always trying to attack us, but if we wearing the armour, we can go forth no fear. But we do lean not to entertain those enemies lies by using the sword of the spirit to cut them down as it were.

 

[paul1149]

Good, I wanted to ask someone about this point. Now I fully believe you that I'm much better off taking my eyes off my doubts and situation and onto Jesus. At the same time, though...my doubts are real. So, here's my question: How can I feel comfortable looking to the very Person I'm having doubts about? I know that the Lord is infinitely forgiving, merciful and loving, yet I can't help but feel terribly disingenuous looking to Jesus while at the same time doubting. Again, intellectually, I know that looking to him--even through clouds of doubt, even if I can't see him very clearly or at all--is faith, if only mustard-seed faith. And I know a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoking flax he will not quench. But when I take my focus off myself, my doubts, and my situation, and put my focus on Jesus, how do I shake the bad feeling that comes with that which says, "I'm bringing you doubts...doubts about you" and be confident there's no self-deception on my part? In short, I guess I'm just sharing that it's a very bad feeling doubting the very Person I need to help me with my doubts. Do I ignore that feeling and just keep looking to him, patiently waiting for help and guidance and for him to make my doubts fade away?

You could rewrite much of your post in the declarative mood and use it to encourage yourself!

I'm not sure how familiar you are with the Gospels, but time and again we're shown Jesus being presented with very imperfect faith. Sometimes it's explicit, like with the father of the demon possessed boy near Ceasaria, who said "I believe; help Thou my unbelief!", or with the disciples who feared drowning in the boat, etc. But many other times it's implicit, where Jesus tells people to fear not, but only believe. Time and again Jesus is strengthening the faith of others. When He says "You of little faith" we shouldn't assume He was angry at those He spoke of. In most cases it is spoken from compassion.

Don't feel bad for whatever faith level you think you're at. Or if you do feel bad about it, still don't allow that to keep you from drinking from the well. Jesus said those who are well do not need a physician, and He didn't come for them.

It's not about denying the reality of your doubts or feelings. You don't have to talk yourself into anything. It's about making a choice to focus on Christ and let Him work despite them. Just be honest and say, "Lord I have tons of doubts; I don't feel terribly good about this; but I believe You are the only way so here I am". Get that off your chest and be faithful with the light you have.

Ultimately, allowing bad feelings about where we are faithwise amounts to pride. We are comparing ourselves to others - or more accurately, to our perception of others. "Comparing one to another they are not wise". The Lord instructs us to come to Him and to abide in Him, and that is what we should do.

 

[Emmy]

Dear blartz. Why not lay your doubts at the Feet of Jesus, and ask the Lord to carry them away. Do not pick them up again, let Jesus carry them away. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus gives us good advice: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: love thy neighbour as thyself." (neighbour being: all you know and all you meet, friends and not friends)
God is Love, and God wants loving sons and daughters, all we say and all we do, all we advice and all we stand for,
should be from Love and Compassion. Love is a Christian`s weapon, with love we will overcome all enmity and wrong behaviour. Love is also very catching, and we will find that love will gradually change us. In Matthew 7: 7-10: we are told: " Ask and you shall receive," we ask for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour. We keep doing this and find that people will treat us the same as we treat people. Life will be filled with loving and caring, and life will be joyful. We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us, and carry on loving and caring. God will see our loving efforts, and God will keep blessing us.
Keep putting your doubts at the Feet of Jesus, and be as God wants us to be: sharing God`s Love and Joy with all around you. I say this with love, blartz. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[blartz]

You could rewrite much of your post in the declarative mood and use it to encourage yourself!

I'm not sure how familiar you are with the Gospels, but time and again we're shown Jesus being presented with very imperfect faith. Sometimes it's explicit, like with the father of the demon possessed boy near Ceasaria, who said "I believe; help Thou my unbelief!", or with the disciples who feared drowning in the boat, etc. But many other times it's implicit, where Jesus tells people to fear not, but only believe. Time and again Jesus is strengthening the faith of others. When He says "You of little faith" we shouldn't assume He was angry at those He spoke of. In most cases it is spoken from compassion.

Don't feel bad for whatever faith level you think you're at. Or if you do feel bad about it, still don't allow that to keep you from drinking from the well. Jesus said those who are well do not need a physician, and He didn't come for them.

It's not about denying the reality of your doubts or feelings. You don't have to talk yourself into anything. It's about making a choice to focus on Christ and let Him work despite them. Just be honest and say, "Lord I have tons of doubts; I don't feel terribly good about this; but I believe You are the only way so here I am". Get that off your chest and be faithful with the light you have.

Ultimately, allowing bad feelings about where we are faithwise amounts to pride. We are comparing ourselves to others - or more accurately, to our perception of others. "Comparing one to another they are not wise". The Lord instructs us to come to Him and to abide in Him, and that is what we should do.

I can't tell you how helpful this post is to me, Paul. Thank you! It answers that concern I've had very well. Lots of good points and reminders. Thank you, thank you! I really really like that prayer, and I'm sure I'll find myself using it often. It's still hard for me to wrap my mind completely around the concept (after all, we humans don't like people doubting us), but I definitely see the truth in what you're saying. Hopefully, in time it will sink in.

 

[blartz]

Love is a Christian`s weapon, with love we will overcome all enmity and wrong behaviour. Love is also very catching, and we will find that love will gradually change us.

Thank you for the encouragement, Emmy. Are you saying that simply walking in obedience and exhibiting Christian love (even if I feel the relationship is a little wavering) will itself eventually make my doubting thoughts subside?

 

[paul1149]

I can't tell you how helpful this post is to me, Paul. Thank you! It answers that concern I've had very well. Lots of good points and reminders. Thank you, thank you! I really really like that prayer, and I'm sure I'll find myself using it often. It's still hard for me to wrap my mind completely around the concept (after all, we humans don't like people doubting us), but I definitely see the truth in what you're saying. Hopefully, in time it will sink in.

Awesome, blartz, I'm glad that helped. We don't have an adequate frame of reference for the love of God in Christ Jesus. In some cases we can take the most pure human love and extrapolate it, but even that falls short. We need to get past our infirmities and abide in His perfect love, just as He said (Jn 15). When we grasp the fact that His power is perfected in our weakness (2Cor 12), we can begin to see these things as part of His ongoing work of maturing us into His own image, and that He allows them for His glory when they are overcome.