How God Strengthens Faith Even When You Stuggle with Doubt

Your faith is not failing. In a weak moment, Satan has placed a doubt in your mind.

1 Peter 5:8 NIV “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Now we know where the doubt came from, what do we do?

 Ephesians 6:16 NIV “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

In Ephesians 6, Paul talks about the armor of God. Verse 16 is how you fight doubts and temptation. The shield of faith is our protection.

We are going to talk about faith and how the Lord helps us avoid doubt, thus freeing us for His joy, “How God Strengthens Faith Even When You Struggle with Doubt.”

• When Doubt Shakes You, God Stengthens Your Faith
• God’s Presence Brings Renewal to a Weary Faith
• Walking in God’s Ways Builds a Stronger Faith
• God’s Wisdom Creates Steadfast Faith
• Finding Strength Through the Joy God Gives
• Conclusion

When Doubt Shakes You, God Strengthens Your Faith

In the 14th chapter of Matthew, Jesus went up the mountain to pray. He had sent the disciples in the ship to cross over the lake before Him. Later, He was alone, and the ship was a considerable distance from shore, buffeted by high wind and waves.

He went to them, walking on the lake. They thought He was a ghost and were afraid.

Matthew 14:28-31 NIV  “But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’

 ‘Come,’ he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!‘

 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’”

Maybe the first thing that is noticed is Jesus chastising Peter. That would be expected. Looking deeper, what did Jesus do before that? He reached out His hand and caught Peter.

Out of love and compassion, He strengthened Peter in his weakness of doubt. He did the best thing, removing Peter from his distress and restoring His faith in Him.

The Lord will do the same for you. Go to Him and tell Him about your doubt. He will help you overcome it.

Take your Bible out and look up verses about doubt. Memorize your favorite, and you will be able to remember it the next time a doubt comes to mind.

God’s Presence Brings Renewal to a Weary Faith

Psalm 73:1-2 NIV “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.“

This is a Psalm of Asaph. He is referring to a time he was tempted to doubt God. He was looking at the life of the wicked around him and how they were prospering, yet he was suffering. Why was God allowing this?

Psalm 73:15-16 NIV “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
    and have washed my hands in innocence.
 All day long I have been afflicted,
    and every morning brings new punishments.

 If I had spoken out like that,
    I would have betrayed your children.
 When I tried to understand all this,
    it troubled me deeply

He admits he tried to understand on his own. That only created more anxiety.

Psalm 73:17 NIV “till I entered the sanctuary of God;
    then I understood their final destiny.”

Then he entered the presence of God in the sanctuary. What happened? He now understands from spending time with the Lord, what the wicked’s final destiny would be.

It’s the same for us. God does not always answer our questions. Some things of God remain hidden until the time for their revelation. But He refreshes our faith in Him to trust what He is doing.

Walking in God’s Ways Builds a Stronger Faith

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

In this passage, trusting the Lord with all your heart means you are not letting your understanding override His. In our humanity, it’s easy to think we know best. But our best is not a lot.

Think of God’s vast knowledge. He can see everything in every direction. Why would we know best?

When you are submitting to God, you agree with Him. This allows Him to smooth out your problems and make your path better.

When you walk with Him, your faith grows stronger. You can overcome any doubts that come.

God’s Wisdom Creates Stedfast Faith

Romans 10:17 NIV “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

Where does faith come from? God’s Word, which is wisdom. So faith is built from God’s Word and when we are walking in God’s Wisdom, our faith grows and becomes steadfast.

Because it’s more steadfast, you are less likely to let doubts cloud your life.

James 1:5 NIV “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.”

The next time your faith feels weak, go to the Lord and ask for wisdom to help you overcome moments of doubt. He will do it and use these to help you grow in your relationship with Him.

Finding Strength Through the Joy God Gives

Psalm 94:19 NIV “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

Doubts, especially when left to fester within, cause great anxiety. When God helps us overcome the doubt, the anxiety leaves. God’s comfort can then fill our heart with joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV “Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Ezra had just read God’s law to the Jewish people. They were overwhelmed by their sin, depressed and crying. Nehemiah told them to eat and enjoy the day because it was holy to the Lord.

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” It’s the same for you. The Lord builds your faith in His joy.

Remember, the presence of the Lord is our joy. Spending time with Him will build your faith and crush any doubt you have.

Conclusion

The best example of countering Satan and doubts is Jesus Christ.

Matthew 4:1-11 NIV “‘Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’

Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written:

‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’

Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’

 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. All this I will give you, ‘he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’

Jesus said to him, Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

What did Jesus do? He answered Satan’s temptations with God’s Word.

Remember, your faith is not failing; you are under attack from Satan. Go to the Lord immediately in prayer with the Bible by your side. Satan will flee, and the Lord will strengthen your faith through His wisdom.