Moments of Doubt

by Brian Edward Johnson

Do you ever struggle with doubt? Do you doubt yourself or wonder if this Christianity thing is real? Well, John the Baptist had a moment of doubt we can learn from.

The story is told in two gospels: Matthew 11:2-5 and Luke 7:18-23. John sends two of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him, “Art thou he that should come? Or look we for another?”

I imagine, if you or I were Jesus, we might have reacted harshly. Well, it is a good thing we are not Jesus. Instead of scolding John for his doubt, He told the disciples to tell John what they had seen and heard. Then He listed the miracles He performed and said the gospel had been preached to the poor.

Later, in that same chapter, Jesus says there was no greater prophet than John (Luke 7:28). When you have moments of doubt, it does not make God angry. He does not doubt you because as long as you allow Him to work through you, nothing is impossible.

Maybe you are not dealing with doubt, but you have a friend that is. Tell them what you have seen and heard. Our personal experience can be powerful. Showing God’s Word to be alive in you can bring someone to salvation or it can be a tremendous encouragement to a brother or sister in Christ who is struggling.

Years ago, when I was struggling financially, I was 12 // December 2021

having some power steering issues with my car. At the time, I was a single dad of three so I had to make money stretch as best as I could. There was a book on my shelf that I had been intending to read for a while. One morning, I finally decided to pick it up. I opened it to a page where some pages were bent so I could straighten them. When I opened the page, I found three $100 bills!

I was amazed and thanked God for the money. I had no idea where it came from so, I started to pray and ask for God’s guidance as to how it should be spent. I felt Him saying I needed to get my car fixed. I argued with Him about it because I thought the money could go to better use. I mean, it was just power steering. Ultimately, I listened and took the car to a mechanic. They looked at it and told me I was leaking gasoline onto my engine! I asked how much it would cost to fix that and the power steering. The gentleman said, “Um, that’ll be…right at about… $300.” After I picked my jaw up from the floor, I told him to fix both. If you are struggling with doubt, go back to the times where God has come through for you. If it is someone else in your life, testify about what God has done or tell them to ask God to reveal Himself to them. He proved Himself for John and He will do the same for us.

About The Author Brian Edward Johnson is a deacon at his church and a nurse by vocation. He wants to do the best he can to teach people to trust God, for their eternity and for each day.