One of the most commonly used strategies of the enemy is to bring doubt into our minds as to the will and purposes of God. The enemy also brings doubt about the truth of the Word of God, so that we may question the authority of God’s Word. The problem with continually giving in to doubt is that it will lead to unbelief, and unbelief always leads to disobedience. There is another problem with doubt – it is normally accompanied with fear. I’d like to show you an example of this from Scripture.

Psalm 107:28 tells us that the Lord brings us out of our distresses when we call upon Him. Distress can also be understood as extreme anxiety (due to fear), sorrow or pain. The Scripture then goes on to say that God calms the storm inside us (metaphorically speaking of course) so that we can have peace.

Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven.

Psalm 107:28-30 NKJV

This Scripture contains an important allegory for us (a message with a hidden spiritual meaning). There have been several times in my journey where I have cried out to God and asked Him to calm the storm inside me. This happened to me every time doubt entered my mind and I felt completely uncertain of God’s will for me. When I entertained doubt, it was normally accompanied with distress and at these times I called out to Jesus for help. God helped me by confirming what He had already spoken to me, therefore increasing my faith. This is how He ‘calmed the storm’ within me and brought me into His perfect peace. Thank You Jesus.

We entertain doubt when we question what we already believe. In other words, we second guess our understanding of God’s will for us, or our understanding of His Word. As I previously mentioned, doubt can also be accompanied with fear. Therefore, in order to overcome doubt, we also need to get rid of fear.

NB: I believe the Lord helped me understand that it is by faith that we overcome both fear and doubt.

I believe the Lord gave me the following example from Scripture, to show us that faith is needed to overcome both doubt and fear. In Matthew 14:22-33 we read about how the disciples of the Lord were in a boat which was being tossed by the waves of the sea, because the wind was contrary. By faith Peter walks on water, until doubt and fear enter his heart at which time he calls out to Jesus to save him.

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14:22-33 NKJV

I’d like to cover a few points in more detail, just to bring the point across more clearly:

• I believe that the waves which rise up in the storm represent doubt. I’d like to show you an example of this from James 1:6 which says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”
• The wind which was contrary – This could represent opposition from the enemy who likes to bring doubt into our minds. Just like the enemy caused Eve to doubt God’s Word when he tempted her in the garden of Eden, saying, “Has God indeed said…” (Genesis 3:1)
• I absolutely love this next bit of understanding. Verse 25 says, “Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.” I believe this speaks of the Lord’s faith which allowed Him to walk on the sea, His authority over creation, and also the fact that the Lord’s enemies are under His feet. Doubt is under the feet of Jesus. He is victorious over it. Praise God!
• Jesus gave Peter the faith to walk on the water with just one word, “Come.” (by faith we overcome doubt) but when Peter looked at the wind that was boisterous, he became afraid and doubted. If doubt comes, it is normally accompanied by fear.
• Peter was able to walk on water when he did so in faith, even though the storm was still going on around him. That is why Scripture tells us that we walk by faith and not by sight, because faith and sight are opposites.
• When Peter cried out to the Lord to save him, Jesus immediately stretched out His helping hand. And then Jesus said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” By faith, we overcome doubt.

I think it’s fair to say that many of us have had doubt enter our minds at one time or another. The good news is that we are never alone in our spiritual battles, the Lord is there to offer a helping hand just like He did with Peter. If doubt enters our minds, we can immediately call out to Jesus and ask Him to increase our faith. We can ask Him to send us confirmation of what we believe He has already spoken to us. Once Jesus has given us the faith to overcome doubt, the ‘storm’ will cease and we will experience a great calm – just as it is described in the Scriptures. From personal experience, I know that the Lord is faithful, kind and longsuffering. He will help us and we will experience His peace. Thank You Father.

I pray that by faith you conquer doubt in Jesus’ precious name. Stay blessed.

Until next time – goodbye.