“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he MUST believe and NOT DOUBT, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1.5-7, emphasis mine)
Have you ever pleaded with God over and over again to answer your prayer? Or felt such desperation in your soul, that you prayed all night long begging God to hear your prayer? Did you really expect God to answer you?
In my reading of Acts this week, Peter was captured by Herod’s henchmen and thrown in jail. James, John’s brother was killed just days before his capture. Herod, seeking affirmation and approval turned his attention towards Peter and now Peter was sitting in jail surrounded by sixteen soldiers, all appointed to guard one unarmed man. Do you remember this story?
Meanwhile, the believers all gathered at Mary’s house to pray and intercede for Peter. To say that they were concerned for Peter’s welfare would be stating it mildly. I’m sure they were terrified of what Herod was going to do to Peter, their pastor and friend. He had just executed another member of their community and they were sure he wouldn’t hesitate to do the same to Peter. They knew how heavily surrounded he was and in their heart of hearts they must have wondered if God would hear their prayers.
While they were praying earnestly for Peter, Mary’s servant girl interrupted them to tell them that Peter was at the door knocking. Look at what happens next . . . “’You’re out of your mind,’ they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, ‘It must be his angel.’ But Peter kept knocking and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” (Acts 12.15-16)
As I read this passage, I couldn’t help but cringe inside at all the times I’ve prayed and never really expected God to answer my prayer. Because, deep down in my heart of hearts maybe I thought it was an impossible prayer. Maybe I questioned whether it really was God’s will or not or maybe I just simply did not believe that my prayers would really make a difference. Whatever the reason, it all stems from DOUBT. Doubt that God is who He says He is. Doubt that God hears my prayers. Doubt that He is great enough for my problems.
Doubt, doubt, doubt.
James 1.5-7 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
The more I read the words of Jesus, the more I realize that following Him is an ALL or NOTHING venture. There is no room for doubt. We can’t have one foot in the world and one foot in heaven. It just doesn’t work.
Lord, teach me to have a faith that doesn’t flirt with doubt. I want all that you have for me. Teach me what it looks like to walk the road of faith. Open my heart to see You for who You really are so that I might know You better and trust You more. Amen
Question: Why is doubt such a struggle? Why do you think in gets in the way of what God wants to do?
Are you struggling with doubt today? How can we pray for you?
Kristi Huseby
Kristi is mom to four boys (two of which are in the military). She’s been married to her husband Harold for 26 years and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kristi is women’s ministry director at their church and much of her time is filled with leading and training women in studying God’s Word. Kristi believes in the power of stories. Jesus used stories in a powerful way to impact people’s lives. His illustrations helped listeners come to see the truth in a new light – to realize their own struggles and grab a hold of God’s love and ability to change lives. She has led retreats and Bible studies and is available to speak to your women’s group. Check out her blog at Check out her bloghttp://www.brokenandredeemed-kristi.blogspot.com .
http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2013/01/07/flirting-with-doubt/
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