The Garden: Ways to Overcome Fear, Anxiety, and StressSample

The 1st D: DOUBT/TRUST

The first D is Doubt. The enemy begins his quest to defeat you by creating doubt in your mind that you can trust God.

In the story of Adam and Eve, we read about when the serpent first engaged with Eve. He created doubt by asking her, “Did God really say that you couldn’t eat from all the trees in the Garden?” Genesis 3:1

By asking this question, the enemy created doubt in Eve’s mind that God couldn’t be trusted - that God was withholding the best from her.

Today, the enemy plants seeds of doubt in our minds all the time. For example, you see others doing well and thriving, and you wonder why you aren’t. You read the headlines in the news, and you wonder where God is in all the darkness. You lose your job, and your neighbor gets a promotion. This causes you to wonder if God loves other people more than He loves you.

When we see the world around us through the lens of negativity rather than the lens of faith, hope, and love, we allow the enemy to gain ground in the spiritual battle.

All of this doubting causes you to resent God and lose your trust in Him. This doubting is Satan’s main goal: to break your trust in God by planting seeds of doubt in your mind.

But God’s Truth, His Word, promises us just the opposite:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

So when the enemy fills your mind with doubt, the simplest, most powerful solution of all is to TRUST God. No matter your circumstances, you need to trust in God’s plan for your life. When it seems like God has abandoned you, trust. Trust in God who created you. Trust in God who loves you. Trust in God, who is your Heavenly Father.

When your trust is greater than your doubt, you are on the way to winning the battle.

It is also important to remember that trust is a choice; it is not a one-time decision. You have to choose to keep trusting God, especially when you feel lonely, insecure, unloved, or discarded from a difficult circumstance in your life. God is for you.

Going Deeper:

Do you trust God? What is holding you back from choosing trust over doubt?

Prayer:

Tell God the areas you are experiencing doubt. Ask Him to increase your belief and trust in Him.