Daily Power #269

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. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. (Prov. 3:5–7)

I distinctly remember sitting in church as a kid, bored as usual. That particular Sunday I had already drawn a Superman picture all over the offering envelope. We had just finished verse 4 of the obligatory hymns. Our pastor took the pulpit and started preaching.

But something suddenly didn’t seem right. I had walked into church that morning fully convinced that God was real. And then while I was sitting there listening to the sermon, questions flooded my mind: What if all this God stuff isn’t true? What if we are just imagining that there is a God? What if there is a God—but he’s not the one that we are worshiping at this church? What if everyone here is just believing they’re Christians because that’s what most Americans are conditioned to believe? After all, I used to believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, and look where that got me.

Don’t get me wrong: I still wanted to believe in God—it just got more difficult. The dam of my childhood acceptance gave way to curiosity (and much later I would learn, cognitive development) that forced me to consider what was true for myself.

Many people are afraid to doubt. But our honest doubts can often become foundational to a genuine faith. Acknowledge your doubts before God and ask him to meet you in the midst of them.

Power Lift

Who am I to doubt you, Lord? Forgive me for not being able to trust you sometimes. Today I will bring my doubts before you even as I continue to follow you.