James 1:5-7 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, with no doubting, 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.
Last year, I made a decision that I was 100% sure God guided me toward. It didn’t make sense to me at the time and I put that decision off for quite some time. But, in that moment, when I had asked God for guidance, I received it and believed it. Even when it didn’t make sense to me. Recently, I started doubting if that choice was the right choice. That move I made, when I was absolutely certain it was God’s will, and over a year later I’m starting to doubt God’s words to me. That’s when God gave me a wake-up call.
I was meditating in my room, as I often do; asking God to guide me and share with me anything I need to hear. That’s when it hit me. I saw the word in HUGE letters across my mind – DOUBT. And then I heard it. “Why do you doubt me?” That’s all I heard. And all I needed to. I thought I was doubting myself, my choices. But, in reality, I was doubting God’s will. Wow. Talk about feeling an inch tall.
Over the next few days, I studied doubt and started reflecting on myself. I have doubted myself for years and years; my whole life really. I would be sure of a decision, then go backward out of fear I’d made the wrong choice. That’s when the above verse came to me in my reading. I looked back over my life. You know what I saw? Myself, being tossed around in the ocean because of the wind and waves. Never with a clear path, never going the same direction. Just haphazardly strewn about, limbs flying around endlessly. This is when I made the decision to dump my doubt.
Have you ever had a problem with doubt? Being uncertain and confused? I’m sure you have, but think about that for a moment. In these times, we have to do two things:
- Realize doubt is NOT from God. God is NOT a God of confusion.
- Ask God for clarity and direction.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
Doubt is not from God, but from the evil one. In my case, he knows that when I doubt, I retract, I go back and try to undo steps I’ve taken. This always leads me away from God and His plan for me. What a delight that is to the devil! But I’m not living to give delight to him, I am living to give delight to the Lord; to trust Him and His plans for me. Even when I can’t make sense of it. Because my mind is so, so small compared to His knowledge and wisdom. His plans are way better than anything I can come up with on my own. I urge you to trust that in your own walk as well. God knows so much more than we could ever dream of knowing. Trust Him. Walk with Him. Don’t give in to fear or doubt. Trust that when you’ve received His guidance, it truly is for your good and no matter how crazy it seems, He has a plan for you. For all of us.
I made this decision to drop my guilt last week sometime and already I’m surrounded by this peace, this incredible feeling I’ve never known. I don’t know what tomorrow holds. But, you know what? I don’t need to. For the first time in my life, I’m taking life one day at a time, trusting in His daily provision. It’s an incredible feeling. And I pray that you, Christian, can know this peace as well.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Ask Him to renew your faith and He will. He absolutely will. Because He loves you and wants nothing more than your trust.
Prayer: God, I know my doubts have given the enemy power over my life. Please forgive me for doubting your plans for me, your love for me, and your guidance in my life. Please help me to push the voice of the enemy out of my mind; protect my mind and heart by stamping your Word upon them. Help me to trust you day by day, not obsessing about what the final outcome will be. Help me, Father, to grow in my faith, to make you proud, to live the life you want for me. I pray in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Feel free to save these images to your phone, laptop, Facebook, Instagram, whatever will help you to keep it fresh in your mind that God desires His peace for you.
