What to Do With Doubt

“Peace be still.” 

Those words are the most famous words spoken by Jesus as He quieted the storms on the Sea of Galilee. But they’re also the words He spoke to the disciples when they were hiding in a room because they were afraid to be the Roman soldiers' next victims after Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus walks through the wall, and the first words from His mouth in the middle of their disappointment were: “Peace be still.”

In this room, there is a man named Thomas—some call him “Doubting Thomas.” Jesus already appeared in this room earlier, but Thomas wasn’t there. So when the other disciples told Thomas that Jesus was alive and present, he doubted their words. 

Jesus' death was a shock to everyone who believed He was the Messiah. How could He be the Messiah if he was dead? Thomas responded, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 

Doubts arise when our expectations aren’t met. When God doesn’t act as we think He will, we experience doubt and disappointment. Here are a few ways Thomas dealt with his doubt that we can learn from today: 

1. Even when you don’t know what to think, you can know where to go

Thomas was dealing with doubt, but he wasn’t hanging out with other doubters. Instead, he got around people who saw what he hadn’t seen and experienced what he hadn’t experienced. His association brought about revelation. As Pastor Todd always says, “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” It matters who you hang out with. 

Jesus never intended for us to follow Him in isolation. We are better together, and our faith is stronger together. Even when you have doubts, you need to surround yourself with people of faith so you can grow stronger. 

Doubt is an opportunity to grow. James 1:3 says, “The testing of your faith produces endurance.” Doubt is your faith being tested. The question is, in those times, are you going to run toward Jesus or run away from Him? Even if you don’t know what to think, you can know where to go. You can lean into the people of God.

2. Reach out for Jesus and His Word

Jesus responded to Thomas by saying to him, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:27

Reaching out to Jesus changed everything for Thomas. Because when you seek the truth, you will find it. In Jeremiah 29:13, God says, “When you seek me, you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” 

When you reach out to God, He’s going to reach back for you. Don’t underestimate how important it is to pursue God and open His Word. You need to begin to doubt your doubts and feed your faith. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” So if you want to build your faith, reach out for Jesus and His Word. 

3. Turn your doubts into questions and your questions into prayers

It’s okay to have doubts and questions, but where we take our doubts and questions matters. Jesus never rebuked Thomas for doubting (in fact, it was other people who gave him the nickname “Doubting Thomas,” but Jesus never called him that). Jesus invited Thomas to reach out and touch His hands and side. 

If you reach out to Jesus in the middle of your doubts and questions, He will help you see what you need to see and pull you in closer than ever before. And even when you doubt God, He still believes in you.