Being Human is to Doubt

Humans doubt. It’s what we do. We doubt ourselves and we doubt others.

Before any of us say anything about Peter’s doubting the words of Jesus that told him he could get out of his boat and walk on water, we need to get real with ourselves: How would I respond in the same situation? I remember when I was child taking swimming lessons. One day I simply tightened up my muscles and sank. The lifeguard pulled me up and asked what happened. I said I did not know. The truth is that I was sinking under the weight of my own doubt. I did not believe I could do what clearly, I was told I could. That was only in five feet of water in a pool! Now that I’m older, I can look back and laugh. But an adult, the swimming pool is life, and I would be lying if I said that there are no longer times I find myself sinking due to new doubts.

Much of our doubt comes about because of a lack of trust in God. We place our trust in material things, wealth, or imperfect people instead of the One who is worthy of our trust 100 percent of the time. Our stewardship is often hampered by our doubt that God will provide all that we need. If I give more, I may not have enough to survive! When we place all our trust in God, not only do we find that we have been given all we need – our doubt that cause us to sink in the pool of life fades away. We don’t suddenly become perfect in our trust, and there will be times when we find ourselves with concerns again. However, it is in those moments we find that He is still there, speaking the words we need to hear: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

– Tracy Earl Welliver