Doubt is a strange thing. John the Baptist was the one who said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” [John 1:29] He was the one who saw the Heavens open and the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus like a dove. He heard the Father proclaim, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” [Matthew 3:17] He was the one who declared, “I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.” [John 1:31] He was convinced. Yet, trials and suffering caused John the Baptist to send his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” [Matthew 11:3]
What are you doubting? What has the Lord clearly spoken to you that the disappointments and hardships of life have caused you to doubt? It usually happens to all of us at one point or another. Joseph endured enslavement, false accusation, and imprisonment before his dreams were fulfilled. Every one of the disciples experienced heart-wrenching trials. Even the Apostle Paul was overwhelmed beyond his ability to endure, and though he was going to die. [2 Corinthians 1:8-9] It is during our trials that we can be tempted to ask God, “Are You really going to do what You said You’d do?” “Do You really have an answer, or should I look around somewhere else?”