When In Doubt, Don’t Quit

“When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; 

but some were doubtful.”

—Matthew 28:17—

We would like to believe that if it had been us who had witnessed the Lord’s horrific crucifixion, burial, and resurrection that we would have never doubted. This is the result of the hubris of thinking more of ourselves than we should. We would have been just like the apostles who witnessed it all, but still there were some who were doubtful. And this was moments before Jesus’ ascension.

Is doubt sinful? Is doubt the result of an unbelieving heart? What should we do when we doubt?

First of all, the word of God admonishes us to be merciful to those who are doubting: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt” (Jude 20–22).

Jesus showed compassion toward those who doubted: with the apostles when He walked on water (Matthew 14:31); and in teaching them about expectations and faith when He cursed the fig tree which falsely showed it had figs (Matthew 21:21 / Mark 11:23).

Sometimes we fail to appreciate or hold in compassion those who  may be doubting. If we were honest with ourselves we would quickly acknowledge that we, too, have had moments of doubt. Doubt can actually help us assimilate for ourselves the truth as we ask questions with the view to understanding.

Doubt which merely asks questions, but doesn’t seek answers—or summarily rejects the answers offered—is destructive. We know those who have doubted even God’s existence who have left their first love, but not because of doubt alone, but because they did not ask, seek, and knock with the desire for it to be given, found, or opened (Matthew 7:7–11). These are the ones who feel that asking alone is enough; but they don’t want to stay for the answers. They’re the ones who ask difficult questions, but then want simple answers.

Sometimes doubt appears because we don’t understand something. Can we imagine experiencing what the apostles had as they witnessed the brutality of Jesus’ crucifixion and His burial? As all people before, Jesus died and was buried. The expectation of Jesus’ resurrection of the dead should have been there—not because it had happened before in this way—but because Jesus had told them it would happen (e.g., Mark 8:31 / 9:9–10, 30–32 / 10:33–34).

So, what should we do when we doubt?

• Don’t quit. We’re not told that all the apostles doubted; we’re told that some did. But none of them quit following the Lord. I would suggest that doubt wasn’t immediately removed, but took time and an effort from themselves to grow in their belief. Make the time to read 2 Corinthians 4:16—5:9 and Isaiah 40:28–31.
• Pray for faith. A father was in dire need of his son to be healed from being demon-possessed. The father explained to Jesus that the spirit “has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22–24). The apostles also asked for an increase in faith (Luke 17:5). If we lack anything, then we should ask for it (James 1:4–8).
• Have faith. When the disciples watched the fig tree wither, they were marveling. Matthew writes that Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:21–22). 
• Spend more time in God’s word. “So faith comes of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). “Your word is a lamp to my feet” (Psalm 119:105 / and read Psalm 19:7–11).

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8–9).