When Doubt Creeps In
"Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them, 'Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.'" - John 20:24–25
Thomas gets a bad rap for being a doubter, but I have always appreciated his honesty. He did not pretend to have faith he did not feel. He did not fake spiritual maturity to impress the other disciples. He simply said, "I need proof." And you know what? Jesus did not condemn him for it.
We all have Thomas moments - times when faith feels fragile and doubts seem louder than belief. Maybe you are in one of those seasons right now. Perhaps you are struggling to believe that God really loves you, that He has a good plan for your life, or that He can work in your impossible situation.
Here is what I love about Jesus' response to Thomas: He showed up. Eight days later, Jesus appeared again, and this time Thomas was present. Jesus did not scold him or shame him. Instead, He invited Thomas to touch His wounds and see for himself. "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."
Thomas's response was immediate and profound: "My Lord and my God!" His doubt was transformed into the strongest declaration of faith recorded in the Gospels. Sometimes our greatest doubts become the foundation for our deepest faith.
If you are struggling with doubt today, do not be ashamed. Doubt is not the opposite of faith - it is often the pathway to stronger faith. God is not threatened by your questions or intimidated by your struggles. He welcomes honest seekers just as He welcomed Thomas.
Bring your doubts to Jesus. He has nail-scarred hands that prove His love for you and an empty tomb that proves His power over your problems. The same Jesus who convinced Thomas can convince you. The same resurrection power that transformed a doubter into a believer is available to strengthen your faith today.
What doubts do you need to bring to Jesus today? How can you seek Him honestly while still choosing to trust?
Lord Jesus, thank You for being patient with my doubts and questions. Like Thomas, I sometimes need to see evidence of Your love and power. Help me to bring my struggles to You instead of hiding them. Strengthen my faith through Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your people. Transform my doubts into deeper trust. In Your understanding name, Amen.
Thomas gets a bad rap for being a doubter, but I have always appreciated his honesty. He did not pretend to have faith he did not feel. He did not fake spiritual maturity to impress the other disciples. He simply said, "I need proof." And you know what? Jesus did not condemn him for it.
We all have Thomas moments - times when faith feels fragile and doubts seem louder than belief. Maybe you are in one of those seasons right now. Perhaps you are struggling to believe that God really loves you, that He has a good plan for your life, or that He can work in your impossible situation.
Here is what I love about Jesus' response to Thomas: He showed up. Eight days later, Jesus appeared again, and this time Thomas was present. Jesus did not scold him or shame him. Instead, He invited Thomas to touch His wounds and see for himself. "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."
Thomas's response was immediate and profound: "My Lord and my God!" His doubt was transformed into the strongest declaration of faith recorded in the Gospels. Sometimes our greatest doubts become the foundation for our deepest faith.
If you are struggling with doubt today, do not be ashamed. Doubt is not the opposite of faith - it is often the pathway to stronger faith. God is not threatened by your questions or intimidated by your struggles. He welcomes honest seekers just as He welcomed Thomas.
Bring your doubts to Jesus. He has nail-scarred hands that prove His love for you and an empty tomb that proves His power over your problems. The same Jesus who convinced Thomas can convince you. The same resurrection power that transformed a doubter into a believer is available to strengthen your faith today.
What doubts do you need to bring to Jesus today? How can you seek Him honestly while still choosing to trust?
Lord Jesus, thank You for being patient with my doubts and questions. Like Thomas, I sometimes need to see evidence of Your love and power. Help me to bring my struggles to You instead of hiding them. Strengthen my faith through Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your people. Transform my doubts into deeper trust. In Your understanding name, Amen.
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10 Comments
I loved it. I know Jesus's. If it wasn't for him I would not be able to work. I am 74 taking care of my daughter and grant grand baby. I work sometimes 50 hrs . My daughter waiting on her disability. Jesus gives give me whatever it takes to get up in the morning. I am waiting for him to bless her with her disability. I lov the lord. Paster you and the family is great in my eyes. Love me some Paster ED and CBC
❤️?
Just the prayer I needed today…
What a “rich” message! To God be the glory! Thank you Pastor Ed! There are times when I experience doubt and then I feel guilty for doubting. This message has delivered me from doubt and the guilt that follows! This message reminds me that Jesus still loves me and understands. He doesn’t get angry at me, but He gently proves Himself through His Word! This increases my love and faith in Him! Lord , thank you for Your love and patience for me as I grow in You!
Thank you for this Pastor Ed. Honesty has been so important to me in my walk with God. For most of my life I lived in the shadow of the truth. I wanted to be all these things I wasn’t and the true desires of my heart were not beneficial to me. So instead of being honest what I did was lie to myself, to God, and to others who were trying to help me. It wasn’t until I got real honest that I started to get any kind of results in prayer. The ugly truth is better than any good sounding lie. I wish I had had the strength to do that initially when I was young. Would have probably saved me from a great deal of pain. But God always had a plan and He knew already everything I ever came to Him with. I can see now His grace was given well before I ever asked Him for it. What I didn’t know was how very cool God really is. He wants what the very best is for ME. I had no idea. I thought He wanted like peace to the world or something good for everyone else and maybe if I happen to be aligns somehow one day I could get some good things too but that’s not the case at all. I am His precious child. He is my Father. I think maybe our own experiences with our earthly fathers may have something to do with these kinds of belief systems. But yeah I come to Him all the time with stuff like this. Stuff I’m not even proud of. And every time He comes through for me. Thank you sir
Praise The Lord?? I have felt like Lord do you hear me? Then I’ll say forgive me Lord cause I know you hear me. Hallelujah ?? love you Pastor Ed you and your family
Lord give me strength every day of my life to not allow doubts creep in my life. Help me keep my eyes on you and the cross to remind me that your love for me was so strong that you died for me. And I believe and except what you did not just for me but for the whole world. I believe in you Lord Jesus your my Savior.
Amen Thank you Lord for telling me what I needed to hear through Pastor Ed.
I’m loving our New APP! It has everything! I have a suggestion. I already have a Bible APP on my phone, but I’ve noticed in the Bible section you can’t HIGHLIGHT the Scriptures with different colors. Also there is no AUDIO attached to it. These are two features you may consider looking into to make it better! Thank You! Great job on this new App! Thank you. ?❤️?
amén!