Permission to Doubt
In the Fountain group the past few months, we've been going through a series on doubts and doubting. We’ve all wrestled with doubts. We doubt the things we see on the news. We doubt the things we read on the internet. We doubt what our politicians and government leaders say. Sometimes we even doubt the things people post on social media (as well we should). But sometimes we doubt things about God or the Bible that we feel like we shouldn't. Most of us see spiritual doubts and questions as enemies to our relationship with Jesus. So we try to repress those thoughts and pretend like they aren’t there. We just keep doing what we've been doing.
Often I think God wants us to deal with our doubts differently. Scripture shows us that instead of shying away from our doubts and questions, Jesus wants us to bring them to Him. In Matthew 14, Jesus frightens the disciples by coming to them on the water. In verse 28, Peter says, “Lord, if it’s you … tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus tells him to come, and Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk toward Him on the water. Keeping his eyes fixed on Jesus, Peter does fine for a moment. Then seeing the storm around him, he becomes frightened and begins to sink. Immediately Jesus reaches out His hand and catches Peter before he sinks. Then He said, “You of little faith,” “why did you doubt?”
When we read Jesus’ response to Peter’s fear and doubt, our first thought may be to hear it as a condemnation. We may think Jesus was disappointed or frustrated with Peter. But I think another way to understand Jesus’ response is as an invitation. When He says, “why did you doubt,” He's actually inviting Peter to consider his doubts and fears, and his lack of faith, and work on them together. Jesus wants Peter to work through his fears and doubts, not ignore them, so that his faith could grow. Sometimes our doubts and questions are indicators that we need to correct false beliefs or misconceptions we may have about God and His faithfulness.
How often have we been like Peter witnessing the amazing work of God, experiencing Him in a real and personal way only to be filled with doubts and questions a little later? For me, it happens more often than I'd like to admit. But I believe God wants us to bring our doubts and questions to Him. In the passage, Jesus demonstrates His love for Peter and for us. He’s not going to let us drown. Sometimes, we just need to start by admitting our doubts and fears to the Lord, and working on them with Him.
God bless.
Pastor Darren
