Once again, the world is on the edge of a wide-spread war. Tensions are rising in every part of the globe and American military muscle is being flexed in the Middle East. The horror that Hamas terrorists carried to Israel and the response in Gaza that has devastated (hardly a word to describe the awfulness there) the lives of people has pushed the ongoing death and destruction in Ukraine.
As I cried out to the Lord in my prayers on behalf of the suffering, asking Him to turn the hearts of leaders to seek peace, I felt faith wane. Doubt shaped my pleas- “Lord, if you are the sovereign One, then do something. How can You allow this to go on?”
I know the answer. He gives us a gift that is wonderful and awful in the same moment - the ability to choose. We can turn to Him and find life and freedom from sin, or we can serve ourselves and descend ever deeper into sin and darkness. But, that is a subject for another day.
Let’s
think about dealing with our doubts, finding faith renewed. You are not an
awful or weak Christian if you experience the dark moments of doubt.
Righteous Job, after enduring awful loss, finally cries "know that God
has wronged me and drawn his net around me. "Though I cry, 'I've been
wronged!' I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice. He
has blocked my way so I cannot pass; he has shrouded my paths in darkness. He
has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head." (Job
19:6-9, NIV) Was he right in saying these things about the Lord?
Yes, because that is what life looked like for him at that moment. When
Job was willing to give voices to his doubt, he was ready to deal with it. No
Christian sets out to doubt! We do not want to be angry with the One we have
loved, yet it happens.
Too often Christians try to ignore their conflicted emotions or overwhelm their doubt by turning up the volume of their praise songs, or escaping into churchy platitudes, or they may try to make a deal with God becoming perfectionistic in behavior. Those tactics will fail. The answer is in the pursuit of the God in spite of doubt, choosing honesty, willing to confess to the Father- "I feel like You have abandoned me." Lay it out and say it out loud. Cry. Jesus did that very thing. In His anguish He cried out “why have You forsaken me?”
It may
seem illogical but it is true. Our trials and suffering that may stir up doubt
in us can become a source of growing faith. Our Father's desire is that we move
beyond a childish relationship that demands only comfort in this moment, that
we grow a mature Christ-centered character that endures the personal moments of
doubt.
There are basic choices we can make when the storms of doubt are blowing over us. In no special order consider these things.
Remain in
church, strengthening your connections with His Body. Faithful friends will carry us
when we collapse, for a time, under the weight of our doubts. Be part of
a church that is authentic, that will not judge people who admit to their
struggles. Beware of a church that turns the blame back on you in your time of
need. There is a time for examination, but in the crisis love is paramount. Some
unwise Christian will likely say hurtful things, but forgive them. You can show
them a better way when they enter their own time of suffering, and we all do.
Focus on the fundamentals of faith. When your mind is clouded with doubt or confused by fears, it is not the best time to get wrapped up in the philosophical questions of life. Read the Psalms of comfort. Go back to the stories of Jesus in the Gospels. Thank Jesus for His love shown in the Cross. Celebrate communion with quiet reverence. Yes, re-connect with the foundation. Jesus promises that He is there to meet those whose faith is very small, akin to a tiny seed. Borrow that desperate father's prayer who reached out to Jesus and said, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24, NLT)
Balance
your perspective! Is it all as bad as you have come to
believe? Turn off the endless news with
scenes of death and destruction and take in the sunset. Remember the joyful
moments of victories past. Remember the enduring love of a couple who has
weathered life's storms for decades together. My point is that we can
listen only to the guns of war, see only the litter along the highway of life,
and see only the hatred of those psychopaths whose depravity fills the news. If
we do, we miss the beauty that remains even in a sin-broken world.
Be quiet! Endlessly rehearsing our doubts gives them fertile soil to grow. We need not deny them, but we can stop talking about them for a while, as we open our heart and mind to the Holy Spirit in contemplative prayer.
A
wonderful transformation happens to those who persevere through doubt. They
become less attached to the things of this world and Heaven comes nearer.
Yes, suffering remains. Mystery still exists. For some questions there are
simply no answers while we remain robed in flesh.
Here's
the word from the Word. They are Job's prayer that followed his outburst
of frustration with God.
"Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
That they were engraved on a rock
With an iron pen and lead, forever!
For I
know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in
my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:23-27, NKJV)
Lord, I believe,
help me overcome my doubts! Amen.
(Video of this blog at this link)
____________________
Blessed assurance
Jesus is mine
He's been my fourth man in the fire
Time after time
Born of His Spirit
Washed in His blood
And what He did for me on Calvary
Is more than enough
I trust in God
My Savior
The One who will never fail
He will never fail
Perfect submission
All is at rest
I know the author of tomorrow
Has ordered my steps
So this is my story
And this is my song
I’m praising my risen King and Savior
All the day long
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That’s why I trust Him
That’s why (I trust Him)
Brandon Lake | Chris Brown | Mitch Wong | Steven Furtick
Brandon Lake Music; Music by Elevation Worship Publishing; A Wong Made Write Publishing; Integrity's Praise! Music
CCLI License # 810055
No comments:
Post a Comment