Doubt
James 1: 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
I’m having difficulty getting past the opening paragraph! Today, I’m tripping all over “doubt.”
For space, I’m not including “doubt” definitions from Strong’s, Webster’s etc. but you can find them.
These definitions offer a spectrum from skepticism to animosity. Isn’t it mature for us to be cautious about dabbling in power which can alter civilization as we know it? Why is it that I can trust God with my salvation but can’t trust Him to move a dirt pile?
Mark 10:15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.
Have you ever watched babies build their confidence? As soon as their eye/hand coordination kicks in, they’re reaching. Then grabbing. Then trying to pull themselves toward something. Soon, they’re crawling, climbing, walking and running. Instead of doubting themselves, they keep pushing beyond yesterday’s limit. It’s even easier if they know that dad is there to catch them when they slip.
They are not thinking about failing. They’re thinking about reaching.
Is my faith any different? I started by trusting God with my tithe. Along the way, I learned that sometimes, God’s answer was not what I had expected and it scared me or hurt a little bit. Somewhere, doubt crept in. Somewhere, I became aware that other people were watching. Will they laugh at me if I fail?
Father, I know You’re there to catch me. I know You want the best for me. Father, make me a child again, eager to explore beyond yesterday’s limit. I no longer want to live in doubt!