GOOD NEWS FOR DOUBTERS by Nick Davis for Core Christianity
Doubt and the ever-debilitating “what-if” have ways of sneaking up on us, even in the sweetest moments of our lives and walks with the Lord. The most debilitating form of doubt a Christian could possibly face is likely doubting one’s own salvation. Those nagging, gnawing questions: “Does God really love me?”; “Am I really saved?”; “Am I truly forgiven?”; “Is my faith actually strong enough?” The overwhelming anxiety that captivates us, the fear that ensnares us, and the depression that lays us out soon follow. And the worst part is that we feel certain that no one else at our church or in our small group would understand.
I am no stranger to feelings of doubt, worry, and the host of “what-ifs” that can plague any believer and put them in a state of uncertainty regarding their salvation or the validity of their faith. If I’m honest, I feel like to some extent, I’ve been doubting as long as I’ve been believing. The most genuine prayer in my book is, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). This can often be the state of affairs for the genuine believer, trusting that Jesus’ shed blood and free forgiveness is for them. Yet they are lacking in that joyous “Blessed Assurance” because they are prone to worry—“was it really for me?”
Through the years, I’ve come to know myself well enough to realize that the first step in overcoming doubt is a little bit of personal diagnosis, asking the question with the Psalmist (and hopefully with a trusted friend or pastor),“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (Psalm 42:5,11). The more I’ve asked this question, the more I’ve come to realize there are three feelings that lead me to doubt my salvation.
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1. Doubt feels natural.
Doubt can easily feel natural because not only our souls but our bodies are affected by the fall of humanity into sin and therefore liable to suffering. Doubt can, therefore, be the result of depression, anxiety, or other forms of mental health issues. Personally, anxiety has a history in my family; it is not the source of all of my doubt, but it certainly compounds it. Doubt can feel natural because worrying might be our natural disposition. If this describes you, then doubt and worry are almost impossible to parse. Whether it is a problem in our faith or a problem in our mental and emotional functions makes little difference practically. The first step in dealing with this feeling of doubt is to allow yourself the freedom to ask for help.
God does not desire for you to go through this alone. This can mean seeing your doctor or mental health specialist about treatment options. It can mean asking a friend to join you on walks in the evening or to be your workout buddy at the gym. It can mean drinking herbal (caffeine-free) tea with your spouse or roommate on the back porch after dinner. This might all sound a bit too “not spiritual enough” for some, but these moments are not only helpful for the physical side of our doubt, they are the moments and conversations in which we “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
