Doubting Your Doubt

Even though I know Clemson has a very good team…and South Carolina not so much…I had a little doubt going into Saturday’s game. I know that I know that you never know what can happen in a heated rivalry game. Who would have ever thought Clemson would lose to Pitt?

Sometimes I find myself “doubting” when I shouldn’t.

The opposite of doubt?
Trust!

On any given day…I trust without thinking.
I drink water and trust that is is safe.
I sit in a chair and trust it will hold me.
I take medicine trusting it is safe and will help me.
I drive a car trusting its reliability.
I deposit money in the bank trusting it will be safe.
The list could go on…….

I am currently wanting to be intentional, on a daily basis, to study God’s word and TRUST it fully and encourage others to do the same. Over the last year I’ve studied the book of John looking specifically at all the miracles Jesus performed…from Jesus turning the water into wine at Cana (This, by the way, was so encouraging as we experienced our daughter’s wedding this year.) to Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus. It has taught me much about TRUE TRUST.

I prayed and trusted Jesus with the weather for Collins’ outdoor wedding and trusted Him in my prayers for Thomas when he had a dangerous staph infection this past spring plus many, many other things I won’t list. The one thing I have come to understand is that it hurts Jesus when we don’t trust!

When walking the earth Jesus was both fully man and fully God. When you read in John 11:35 that Jesus “wept,” you might misunderstand why He wept! Jesus knew Lazarus had died but He also knew that he was going to resurrect Lazarus. He wept because of the “lack of trust,” “unbelief,” “doubt”. John 11:33-34, “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and TROUBLED. ‘Where have you laid him?’ he asked…” Later, in verse 40, we find these words: “Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God.’”

This post is too short to elaborate on the whole story…but I want to encourage you in the rest of 2016 and for all of 2017…to drink deeply from God’s word.

Examine your thought life. Study His word according to His promises and those who TRUSTED God and the spiritual benefit. Scripture teaches “Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that HE rewards those who earnestly seek him” (emphasis added, Hebrews 11:6).

…..IF…for the rest of 2016…you just read the book of John and memorize Hebrews 11:6…and do what it says…”earnestly seek God”….I have never been disappointed…and neither will you.

God doesn’t hide when you seek Him. When you do seek Him, remember a time of “confession of sin” is so important…to cleanse our hearts, acknowledge our need of Him and repent. I love what Anne Graham Lotz reminded me of in her latest book ”The Daniel Prayer.” She says, “You commit sin…one sin at a time…you should confess in the same way.”

That one statement keeps me in my prayer chair longer for a time of confession. The rewards have been tremendous. I walk TRUSTING so much more…knowing that I am forgiven. Confessing that sin and bringing it to Jesus does three things.
It “lightens my burdens.”
Remembering and recognizing my sin, which is hard to face at times, helps me NOT want to keep doing it.
And, it assures me that my prayers are heard!

God can be TRUSTED. In a world and life of uncertainty HE is the ROCK. Building your life on that foundation, rather than on sinking sand, steadies your feet. I encourage you to build your “trust” muscle. Replace your doubt with God’s truth.

Remember, sometimes you have to take the “step” before the waters part. That step builds your faith as well.

My prayer for you as this year ends and a new one is about to begin is that you will drink deeply and step faithfully.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ~Corrie Ten Boom

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