Is it okay for a Christian to doubt?

This past Sunday would have been week 3 in our sermon series “Uncertain” where I’m doing my best to confront some of the hardest challenges and strongest objections to the Christian faith. (The winter weather put an unexpected pause in our plans).

If you read my last post, you know that for me, this series is somewhat autobiographical. I am a Christian who has really struggled with the things that we believe. I grew up loving Jesus, but as I entered adulthood, I began to wrestle with difficult questions that eventually turned into burdensome doubts.

The good news is that Jesus saw me through all of my doubt and unbelief. And I couldn’t be more thankful.

I knew that at least some people in our church had a story like mine. They have wrestled with or confronted doubt somewhere along the way in their journey with Jesus.

Thankfully, that’s not everyone’s story.

But I wanted to do this series to try to help people like me. The ones who have wrestled and struggled, and the ones who still are.

I have been surprised (in a good way) at how receptive our church has been. For some of the strugglers, it has brought their doubts out of the shadows and offered them hope that good answers are available. And even for many who have never contended with doubt, examining the evidence for the things we believe has served to bolster their faith and better equip them to share Jesus with others.

Here’s one of the interesting questions that has come up along the way: Is it okay for a Christian to doubt?

The obvious answer is no. Doubt is essentially unbelief, which is a sin. Hebrews 3 has strong warnings about the consequences of following our unbelieving hearts (see verses 12 & 19).

But there is more to say here.

I think the question that’s really being asked is this: Should our doubts keep us from Jesus? Should they make us ashamed? Should we carry them like burdens? And to that the answer is also a resounding NO.

Jesus is our burden bearer (Matt. 11:28-30; Is. 53:4-5; 1 Pet. 5:7). He came to wipe away our shame (Zeph. 3:19; Rom. 10:11). He doesn’t want any sin, certainly not unbelief, to stand between us and him (John 6:37).

So what should you do if you are gripped with unbelief?

The answer is to run to Jesus.

Throw yourself on his mercy. Just like the father seeking relief for his suffering son, cry out to Jesus “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

Doubt is the devil’s work (2 Cor. 4:4). The remedy for unbelief is the work of the Spirit (John 3:8).

If you’re struggling with doubt or unbelief, flee to God’s Word. Call for his help in prayer. Seek the wisdom of other Christians. Talk to your pastor. Find books and resources that can rehearse for you the things we believe and the evidence on which those beliefs rest.

Dealing with doubt was a severe trial in my life. But on the other side it led me to a much deeper faith. That can be your story.

Don’t be afraid. If you are trusting in Jesus, he will never let you go (John 10:28).