How Your Doubt Can Strengthen Your Faith

You might believe in God, but sometimes, articulating your reasons can be challenging. While you call it absolute truth, you may harbor doubts about your faith. These uncertainties can be unsettling, especially when you see others "deconstructing" their faith. They might have grown up in church, attended Christian schools, or even served in ministry, yet now find themselves questioning their beliefs. While uncomfortable, doubt doesn’t need to weaken your faith. Instead, it can become a tool to help it grow.

The Role of Doubt in Faith

The notion that faith requires blind acceptance of Christian truths can be misleading. The sentiment expressed in the old bumper sticker, "God said it, I believe it, and that settles it," may seem reassuring but can actually weaken faith. True faith should be built on a personal understanding and exploration of beliefs, not just inherited doctrines. Fyodor Dostoyevsky once said, “I believe in Christ and confess him not like some schoolboy; but my hosanna has passed through a great furnace of doubt.” This suggests that through questioning and examining our beliefs, we can forge stronger convictions and a more authentic faith.

Doubt often carries a negative connotation, especially within Christian communities. Yet, doubt can be incredibly productive. While it can paralyze us, it can also propel us to seek out truth and develop spiritually. Times of deep doubt and earnest questioning can open our minds, give rise to new ideas, and reveal new horizons.

Faith and Doubt in Challenging Times

The global COVID-19 pandemic brought doubt to the forefront for many people. When the World Health Organization declared it a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, it turned the world upside down. Instead of going to school, work, or church, people sheltered in place. The simple act of hugging a family member—or even being in the same room with them—went from a show of affection to a potential threat to their health. Our mental health deteriorated, with the World Health Organization reporting a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide.

The pandemic also led many to reconsider their beliefs about God. According to a study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Google searches for prayer surged by 30% during the early months of the pandemic, reaching the highest level ever recorded. Their estimates indicate that by as early as April 1, 2020, more than half of the world population had prayed for an end to the pandemic. The deaths of loved ones and the fear of an uncertain future raised questions about the nature of a good God.

However, long before the pandemic, many people, including myself, have experienced seasons of wrestling with serious doubts about their faith. This questioning process often leads to a deeper exploration of God. As theologian Paul Tillich wrote, “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.”

The Productive Power of Doubt

Embracing doubt and asking hard questions can be powerful steps toward a more robust faith. Mystery is an inherent part of life, and some spiritual realities surpass human understanding. But as theologian Peter Abelard wisely stated, “Constant and frequent questioning is the first key to wisdom…. For through doubting we are led to inquire, and by inquiry, we perceive the truth.”

Even if you’re not struggling with doubts right now, it’s essential to recognize the value of questioning. When someone else is wrestling with uncertainty, resist the urge to dismiss their concerns or to offer pat answers. Instead, engage with their questions, showing empathy and understanding.

Similarly, if you find yourself questioning your beliefs, resist the temptation to busy yourself with distractions. Avoiding serious questions through endless engagement with screens won’t resolve your doubts. Instead, face your struggles head-on, knowing that genuine faith often emerges from wrestling with uncertainty.

Embracing Humility and Acceptance

During my own journey through doubt, particularly during the dark days of doctoral work, I developed epistemological humility—a recognition of the limitations of human knowledge. There is much we cannot know, and that’s okay. We don’t know exactly how our bodies extract nutrients from food, but we know enough to eat healthy food. Similarly, while we don’t know everything about life or why certain things happen, we can still develop a meaningful relationship with God.

Doubt can drive us to discover God’s reality and experience His love in Christ, leading to a solid and enduring faith. Even with persisting doubts and a lack of absolute certainty, we can be confident enough to love God and love others.

Let your doubt be the catalyst for a deeper, more authentic faith. It is through questioning and exploration that we find true understanding and strength in our beliefs.

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