At every turning point in life we face a series of tests and obstacles that often hinder our getting to where we want to go. One of life's ongoing tests is what I call the 'danger of doubt'. Doubt is defined as 'to lack confidence in, to consider unlikely, uncertainty'. Why is it we that we find ourselves believing so sincerely in the direction and decisions in our life, and then 'suddenly', out of nowhere we face a dark night of the soul that breeds doubt?
In all of life we depend upon faith. Faith that someone will show up. Faith that the Doctor won't screw up. Faith that the plane won't fall out of the sky. We are often unaware of our faith... we simply allow our beliefs to live on in the background of our daily routines and responsibilities. When things don't go according to plan....we freak out! When one of our assumptions (beliefs) about life is tested it can often lead to a cascade of doubt disease. When something we didn't expect to happen enters our comfortable world of assumption, our soul is shaken and we begin to wonder out loud about life itself. Is 'so and so' really is who they say they are? Does anyone really care? Is this college degree really going to help me? Where is this relationship going anyway? Doubt is a test of faith that we all take in life. The trouble with 'doubt exams' is that they come unannounced... they are unscheduled pop quizzes designed to help us examine the true condition of our hearts.
In the book of James we read wise advice from God's word to us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." Direction and guidance in life demand a single minded vision and purpose. When we entertain doubt, we set up a potential source of division in our soul. Doubt sets up a road map of confusion in our mind....many potential directions overwhelming the singular sense of purpose we all need in life.
You need wisdom to make good choices. Wisdom is not something you obtain by simply gaining more knowledge or information about a particular interest or topic. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge to do the right thing, for the right reasons, at the right time. You can't get a Bachelor's degree in wisdom studies! Wisdom is something given to people who are humble and reverent. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10)
The big 3 areas of doubt issue out of a series of questions: Who am I really? What am I supposed to be doing? Who am I to be with? The answers to life's big questions need tremendous wisdom and insight to answer correctly... you've got to get it right. Are you taking the doubt exam this week? Struggling with direction and purpose? Counselors and trusted friends and family can help you. But if you ignore the source of all wisdom and the God who put you on the planet... well ultimately you'll fail the test. I challenge you to begin a conversation (prayer) with the God who can be trusted to help you overcome the danger of doubt. He won't fail to guide you to where you need to go... and in the process you'll discover a love and relationship that will truly satisfy your doubts.
Jim
In all of life we depend upon faith. Faith that someone will show up. Faith that the Doctor won't screw up. Faith that the plane won't fall out of the sky. We are often unaware of our faith... we simply allow our beliefs to live on in the background of our daily routines and responsibilities. When things don't go according to plan....we freak out! When one of our assumptions (beliefs) about life is tested it can often lead to a cascade of doubt disease. When something we didn't expect to happen enters our comfortable world of assumption, our soul is shaken and we begin to wonder out loud about life itself. Is 'so and so' really is who they say they are? Does anyone really care? Is this college degree really going to help me? Where is this relationship going anyway? Doubt is a test of faith that we all take in life. The trouble with 'doubt exams' is that they come unannounced... they are unscheduled pop quizzes designed to help us examine the true condition of our hearts.
In the book of James we read wise advice from God's word to us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." Direction and guidance in life demand a single minded vision and purpose. When we entertain doubt, we set up a potential source of division in our soul. Doubt sets up a road map of confusion in our mind....many potential directions overwhelming the singular sense of purpose we all need in life.
You need wisdom to make good choices. Wisdom is not something you obtain by simply gaining more knowledge or information about a particular interest or topic. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge to do the right thing, for the right reasons, at the right time. You can't get a Bachelor's degree in wisdom studies! Wisdom is something given to people who are humble and reverent. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10)
The big 3 areas of doubt issue out of a series of questions: Who am I really? What am I supposed to be doing? Who am I to be with? The answers to life's big questions need tremendous wisdom and insight to answer correctly... you've got to get it right. Are you taking the doubt exam this week? Struggling with direction and purpose? Counselors and trusted friends and family can help you. But if you ignore the source of all wisdom and the God who put you on the planet... well ultimately you'll fail the test. I challenge you to begin a conversation (prayer) with the God who can be trusted to help you overcome the danger of doubt. He won't fail to guide you to where you need to go... and in the process you'll discover a love and relationship that will truly satisfy your doubts.
Jim
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