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Jump to: Web Links Doubt Doubt is a feeling that many Christians go through. How do you deal with it? Well, first of all we need to say that there is nothing wrong with thinking about our faith[] or even in questioning it. We need to have confidence in what we believe for our own peace of mind, as well as to be able to communicate to others why we believe in Christ. If we have questions, we should seek answers. However, doubt often goes beyond this normal questioning, to be something less easy to define. It questions all our beliefs about God and Christ and comes up with a myriad of reasons and arguments for us to not believe in what we already have believed in.
How do we deal with this? How do we react? We have no quick fix comments or advice here. However, what we can say is that for those who do doubt, we might point them to the cause of truth. It may be impossible, or at the least problematic to prove scientifically that there is good grounding for our Christian faith. However, what the spiritually minded person should be “about” is being on a quest for truth. If you doubt, then you should make sure that you are genuinely seeking after the truth. If what you are really after is an easy life - forgetting some of the Christian sacrifices of, for example, no sex before marriage and giving to the poor, then maybe you need to examine yourself. Step Back! Do you even want to believe in a single consistent truth? Would you like to live without doubt - and have some certainty?
Many Christians fall away because the doubt “bit” in their brain eats away at their faith. More than in their brain - it is in their heart. It is not a question of intellect, but of both mental attitude and heart attitude. We can give in or we can persevere. Yes, you may have some doubts and not be absolutely 100% sure about your faith. Many Christians probably feel like this at times. However, maybe ask yourself the question: what is the alternative to believing? Surely it is simply not believing in the Christian message. Personally, I have found nothing else worth believing in that I can find credible.
Sure, there are easy options as I have described - of living for the moment and indulging in some of the pleasures of this world. I quickly came to realise that these things are empty - even at the time that we enjoy them, but more so afterwards when their charm has vanished. All the time we turn from God we are hopeless.
The issue of doubt is sometimes best dealt with through theology and Christian philosophy. You can go to this section of the site here, where you will find some links that will take you to sites that may help.
Apathy, Fellowship or Outreach Inactivity
As we have admitted, many Christians fall away. Perhaps one practical reason that can contribute to this problem might be a lack of true church activity. Christians can just go to church Sunday after Sunday and be caught up in a cycle of inactivity. We need to be living the Christian life in true terms: sharing the Gospel with unbelievers through our spoken words and also through practical benevolent deeds. We need to help the poor and encourage those who are down in our local communities. By doing these things we will strengthen our faith, and clarify to ourselves the reason for being at church. Going to church on its own is never enough - as being a Christian is not just about meeting together, but about doing.
If necessary, take the initiative in your church, and with the co-operation of your pastor, start to work to reach out to those who do not know Christ. Reach out with practical help that meets peoples’ physical needs and also reach out with friendship and sympathy. Also, share the message of the Gospel - which brings true hope to those who are in darkness. If your church will not respond to your appeals, find another Church which is actively involved in your local community, or if really necessary go further afield if there is no good church close to where you live.
Being Practical about Church
We should not expect too much from our churches. No church is perfect, and it is better to go to one that we are dissatisfied with than to not go to one at all. Of course, there is nothing wrong with trying another church if you need to. If there are few people of similar age to you, or if you are very unhappy with some of your church’s approaches or attitudes, do move. It is also important that we are, at least generally, at peace with our church leadership, and the direction that they are taking our church.
Also, we must guard our hearts in church. If you have not discovered so already, you should realise now that Christians can hurt and let us down just as much as any other people can. If we do not expect too much of our friendships with people in [c]hurch, we will be less disappointed when we are let down. The church section home page has more about this issue of fellowship here, and the home page of “People and Relationships” also has some comments here. Web Links Doubt www.doubters.net www.geocities.com/godisreal_uk/mathintro.htm - about science, maths and faith. Search the major Christian sites and directories for “Doubt” and “Falling Away”. Click here for the links page. Please e-mail us here to recommend any links. Find a Church Click here to go to the area home page - and go to Web links, “Find a Church”. that they are not the only ones who suffer, and help them in some way. WARP TO TOP! |
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