Seeking TruthSample

The Role of Doubt and Questioning

There’s a story in the New Testament of the Bible about a man who comes to Jesus to seek His help on behalf of his son. Even as this father makes his request for help, he seems a bit unsure – saying ‘If you can help’ (Mark 9:22, emphasis added). Jesus responds by echoing the question,

‘“If you can”?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’ (Mark 9:23-24)

This verse fills me with hope. This father had been desperate for so long to help his son, but even as he threw his hope on Jesus, he didn’t know if he could fully trust Him. But notice what happens the moment Jesus calls him out on his unbelief... something shifts, and he replies, ‘I believe, help me in my unbelief.’

If you’re just starting out on a journey of discovering who Jesus is in your life, or maybe have been trying a few different routes to try and find meaning – you may feel confused. You may have a little bit of belief, but not quite have ‘both feet in the camp’.

It can be so easy in our searching to stray from the truth of Jesus and the Gospel. Our questions can lead us to try other paths, maybe paths that look similar or start off running in parallel with what we believe. But ultimately, they lead us further and further from God’s plan for us.

But having doubt in and of itself doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. Not having all the answers doesn't mean that you’re not going the right way.

It’s where those doubts take us that is key – and therefore, how we deal with those doubts when they first arise is vital.

James 1:5-6 exhorts us to be strong in our belief:

‘If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.’

And here’s something that the father from the account in Mark 9 has taught me. When we feel like we’re being tossed around in unbelief and can’t be quite sure of where we stand, we can use even the grain of faith that we have to throw our unbelief like an anchor into the firm ground that is Jesus. Our doubts can cause us to lean into or lean away from Him. Know that, in Him is the safest place to express and explore your doubts. In Him you will find all the answers... even if it is just one step at a time, as you choose to stay on God’s path.

Father God,

Even as doubts and questions arise, I choose in this moment to stay on your path for me. Help me to have wisdom and discernment in which path to follow, to have voices and influences to listen to in my life and to turn to you always as the ultimate source of truth.
Help me lean into you when I feel tossed by my waves of confusion.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.