The Big Challenge

I would guess that the single biggest cause of depression for Christians is a small, seeming innocuous condition called doubt. Why would I say that? What makes doubt so lethal?

Doubt is a shield. Only instead of a shield to ward off the enemy’s arrows, it’s a shield to protect yourself from God’s grace, which is activated by faith. Why would you do that?

You know, God can do anything, but He chooses not to when you doubt. You end up flailing around and eventually calling out to Him… more because you’re in trouble than because you believe.

Remember when Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and had a sudden impulse to walk on water himself? Jesus encouraged him, and he jumped out of the boat and walked on water, until he looked around at the wind and waves and was afraid and started to sink. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matt. 14:31)

Jesus had more to say about doubt, in relation to faith: Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. (Matt. 21:21)

You may not be looking to move any mountains today. You would settle for a little peace and some hope. Fortunately, there’s a remedy for doubt. It’s called faith. Believe God. Work on holding up that shield of faith to ward off the darts of the devil. By the way, his darts are aimed at your mind. Satan’s tactic is to whisper in your ear, “God didn’t really mean that.” That’s what he did to Eve. (Read Gen. 3:1-4.) He planted doubt in her mind.

What if Eve would have held up the shield of faith—talked about in Eph 6:16? She wouldn’t have sinned, sending us all on the same path she took, doubting what God said and doubting that God meant what He said.

The key for you in getting over this malady is to find what God said that applies to your heart and your situation and believe it. Find a promise today. The Bible is full of them. Maybe you could start with this one. And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. (Luke 12:29-30)

Find God’s promise and pray it back, asking Him to make it true on your behalf today, and tell Him you believe. I promise, it will lift your spirits.