Doubts

Matthew 28:17 AMP And when they saw Him, they fell down and worshiped Him; but some doubted.

We all know what it’s like to doubt. It is a very human and natural reaction when our faith is challenged. But in our spiritual life, where we are commanded to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:70), doubt can sometimes feel like a shameful secret, hidden in our hearts.

Over the previous 3.5 years, the disciples had looked on in awe as Jesus performed miracle after miracle. They watched him turn water into wine, feed a multitude with one boy’s lunch, walk on water, heal the blind, the deaf, and the lame, and set the oppressed free. They'd listened in wonder to his parables about the kingdom of God and had their world turned upside down as he told the weak, grieving, timid, and persecuted that they were blessed. Jesus had divided them into pairs and sent them out with spiritual power and authority to heal diseases and deal with every evil opposition they encountered. They watched in horror as he was brutally crucified and then celebrated his resurrection, fulfilling all that he had promised. Now, 40 days after his resurrection, he had told them to meet him on the Mount of Olives, where he would ascend to be with the Father. But some had their doubts.

We don’t know what they had doubts about. We don’t know whether they voiced those doubts or Jesus simply knew they were struggling. But Jesus did not react or condemn their doubts. He reassured them, gave them direction, and empowered them. He reassured them that despite what they had witnessed during His crucifixion, He was victorious and had been given all authority in heaven and on earth. He then gave them direction, a new purpose, not leaving them lost and afraid, but with a new calling: “Go and make disciples.” And finally, He gave them the most powerful promise of all, the same promise that Father God had given the Israelites hundreds of years before, “I will be with you always.” Not sometimes, not only when you are doing church, but always!

Thomas was among those on the Mount of Olives. Just days before, he had responded with doubt and skepticism when the reports of Jesus’ resurrection began to swirl. He told the others, “I won’t believe it unless I see” (John 20:25). But when Jesus appeared eight days later, he did not come with a lecture but with evidence and encouragement: “Thomas, don’t give in to your doubts any longer; just believe!” Jesus met him where he was, and that is our call as well—to be merciful to those wrestling with doubt. Jude 1:22 states it straightforwardly, “Be merciful to those who doubt.”

Mercy is a beacon guiding us through chaos and moments of doubt. Unwavering compassion that transforms moments of doubt into divine encounters with God. Mercy is our weapon, a tool of transformation, bringing God’s grace in real time. Jude’s six-word charge is a call to live with eyes wide open. No spectators, just knee-deep in the messiness of life with others. Mercy calls for action, a relentless pursuit of love over condemnation. It’s about hearts that are opened, filled to overflowing with God’s compassion to wash away doubts and despair. In the moment that doubt meets mercy, faith is ignited. Every act of mercy fuels faith to trust and believe.

Doubt is a struggle faced by every believer, but mercy is the light that overcomes doubt. God desires your complete trust, but He loves you no less when doubt creeps in. In fact, Jesus knows the struggle: “He understands our weaknesses, for he faced the same testings we do” (Heb 4:15). Remember, faith that has wrestled with doubt is always stronger than faith that has never been challenged.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Jude 1:22 TPT Keep being compassionate to those who still have doubts.

Mark 9:20-24 NIV So they brought the boy. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, How long has he been like this? From childhood, he answered. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for one who believes. Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!

James 1:5-8 NIV If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Mark 11:22-24 NIV Have faith in God, Jesus answered. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Luke 17:3-6 NIV So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Mark 9:20-27 NLT So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. How long has this been happening? Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!” Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

Matthew 14:29-31 Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Romans 12:15 AMP Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

Mark 11:23-24 NIV Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.