But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:6-8 NKJV

I’ve prayed for healing and heard the devil whispering, “What if God doesn’t heal?” I’ve begged God to break through depression’s darkness and heard silence. I’ve prayed for God to provide and wondered what if He doesn’t? Doubt. It creeps in uninvited. It bombards our thoughts. It stirs up the embers of fear and worry.

Doubt is no stranger, but it’s the enemy of our souls. Doubt says God cannot heal. Doubt says God cannot provide. Doubt says God isn’t in total control, and doubt may even say God doesn’t care.

But if we believe God can, why does unbelief visit us so often? The devil will never stop trying to separate us from a firm faith in God. He wants to move us to a foundation of shifting sand.

I’ve stood many times on the beach allowing the waves to smack my legs as they crashed onto the sand. Each time, they flow back out as my feet dug down in the sand. I’ve even had the waves pull off my flip flops. That’s the foundation Satan wants us on. James compares the waves to a double-minded man who vacillates between God and man. Faith and fear. Peace and panic.

I’ve been that Jell-O Christian, the one that shakes when moved. The one with unsteady footing, but I’ve grown.

I recall trials from the past when God strengthened my faith and increased my confidence in Him. The waves of doubt that once knocked me down have lost their power, and now, I stand on the firm rock of Jesus Christ.

When we find ourselves on shifting sand, we need to move to higher ground. Get away from the sea of uncertainty. Get on the unmovable solid rock. You might say, “Carolyn, I’d love to do that. I’d love to stop the disbelief, but how do I do it?”

Consistency. Every day, every hour, and every minute, the enemy will plant seeds of faithlessness. That’s why we must consistently have Scripture ready to repeat and tell him God will. And believe in your heart…God will. Difficult? Yes! Wearisome? At times. Rewarding? Always.

When we refuse unbelief, we will find stability. Peace will reign in our lives where panic once ruled. Then one by one, we’ll notice fewer visits from fear and worry.

In that place of stability, we can count our trials all joy (James 1:2). We will be equipped to detect new attempts from the enemy and we can find new Scripture to send him packing. We will stand steadfast in a hope that is real, the hope of Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for doubting You. Lead me to particular verses to use because Your Word is sharper than a two-edged sword. Guard my mind from enemy attack, and strengthen my faith in You. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read James 1:2-8

HIKING THE TRAIL

These are my favorite Bible verses about doubt:   Prov. 3:5; Jer. 17:7-8; Matt. 21:21; Mark 9:24; Mark 11:24.

Resource

Eyes of Faith: Winning the Battle Between Our Feelings and Our Faith

https://amountainoffaith.com/shop/

 

 

Originally posted on June 22, 2020 @ 3:05 am