When we doubt, it creates difficulty in trusting God instead of ourselves. So how do we overcome our doubt?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
We put so much focus on this world that we are jolted into panic whenever something in this world goes wrong. That is exactly why we need to get our focus off this world which takes our attention off the promised reward ahead through Christ Jesus.
Daily dying to ourselves is the key to walking in faith. What a battle it can be as we are so self-willed! The thing that gets in the way is our focus on the world, which also leads to doubt. So how do we move to trusting God instead of ourselves?
Learning to Doubt our Doubt
I recently heard a phrase that spoke volumes on this subject of doubt; before you doubt God, doubt your own doubt.
Why is it that we doubt God, but don’t doubt ourselves? Isn’t it strange that we struggle with trusting God instead of ourselves?
My arrogance tells me that I am right most of the time. The truth is, I am often wrong. If this is true, then why wouldn’t I accept that anything that I doubt could very well be true even though I doubt it?
Before we doubt God, we need to doubt our own doubt. When we start to think in this way, it makes it possible for a bit of faith to be produced.
A Mustard Seed Faith
Jesus famously tells us in the Bible that if we have the faith of a mustard seed, that we can say to a mountain to move and it will – essentially nothing will be impossible for us (Matthew 17:20).
Reading this, the thought comes to me that it isn’t the small faith which can move a mountain, but rather, if you begin with small faith, then it will grow as you begin to trust. But it must start with faith.
Another time Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed. That when this smallest of seeds is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches. Then the birds of the air can make nests in its shade (Mark 4:30-32).
When you sow faith it reveals a kingdom of faith, but likewise when you sow doubt, it reveals a kingdom of doubt. One brings about trust; the other brings about mistrust.
Faith brings about trust, which leads to love and understanding. Doubt brings about mistrust, which leads to suspicion and fear; this in turn leads to hate.
What God do We Trust?
What I am saying is that doubting your doubts can bring about a little faith. When I have allowed my faith in God to grow trust in God, then I have found Him trustworthy.
Those who find fault in God are people who continue to try to have the world revolve around their wants. Then when they don’t get something that they want, they think it means they can’t trust God.
God is not a genie who is patiently waiting to grant our self-centered requests. Some are trusting in a God they expect to fulfill their every want, but that is a mythological God of their own creation. God is not there to grant us our wishes; rather, He created humankind to worship Him (Isaiah 43:7).
In truth, God desires to bless His children in far grander ways than we can imagine. We are so busy asking God for our little wants we can’t appreciate His lavishness.
God wants us to have an agape love relationship with Him. God is so much more than the convenient myth so many have turned Him into.
When we doubt our doubt and reflect on God in His authentic self, not just a genie myth, we can move towards the correct choice of trusting God instead of ourselves. Once we properly align our faith and see this, then we are on the right path to having faith that will grow and not be derailed because of childish misconceptions.
Encouraging Trust in God
Once we resolve the question of trusting God instead of ourselves, we begin to cultivate our faith in the real, authentic God.
I want more than anything to help people overcome this mythical state of mind about God. It’s not simply that I want to be right about the existence of God. Rather, I don’t want anyone to miss out on the relationship that they can have with God through Jesus Christ.
Once doubt is put into the proper perspective, then faith grows into more trust, and even more faith.
I don’t want anyone to suffer because they had doubt and didn’t turn to Christ Jesus for hope.
We all should make it our life’s mission to give this hope to everyone around us. I pray that we are so filled up by God’s Holy Spirit, that everyone we meet comes to have faith in Christ as their savior.
More Bible verses about trusting God instead of ourselves:
Joshua 1:9; Psalm 9:10; Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 6:25; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 John 5:20
