Transforming Doubt
Doubt is something all Christians face at some point in their journey. We doubt ourselves, we doubt our Christian community, and we doubt God. Even the disciples struggled with doubt. 鈥淭hen the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted鈥 (Mt. 28:16-17). Brian Jones, author of (Standard Publishing, 2006) talks about hope in the midst of our doubt and uncertainty. Our goal is often to be happy in our lives, but God鈥檚 goal is the transformation of our lives.
Where Is God?
Jones shares that we can鈥檛 blame God for the consequences of our bad decisions. From a human perspective, we feel cheated and a deep inner disappointment with the way life has turned out when we are facing trials. In my doubt, God seems content to stand by and let me live what I consider a mediocre existence.
For the past three years, I have been working two jobs to make ends meet. It is difficult. I blamed God initially, though it was my choice to accept the jobs I have. People tell me, 鈥淚t鈥檚 just the economy right now.鈥 That rationalization doesn鈥檛 help me. At some point, I begin to wonder why I am not capable of getting the full-time job that I want? Jones exemplifies the fact that even when we do not see God working in our lives, he is. I can pay bills month to month, but sometimes I feel that my college diploma isn鈥檛 worth much more than the paper it鈥檚 printed on. Although I am lucky to have work in this economy, working up to 70 hours in a week doesn鈥檛 seem to be the 鈥榓bundant life鈥 Jesus wants for me. Where is God? Does He even care at all?
Jones鈥 book is ultimately about hope. Even as we doubt ourselves, our circumstances, maybe even God himself, Jesus wants to transform our doubt into hope. I believe one job will make me happy and hopefully allow me time to cultivate relationships. But God is up to something bigger and better. God wants to transform me. As we seek momentary, fleeting happiness, God wants so much more for us鈥攈e wants to transform our hearts. The question is: will we let him?
Teresa Buschur is a Writer for 果冻视频鈥檚 Communications team.
