How to Overcome Your Doubts and Believe
For years now, I’ve been drawn to holiday décor that simply states “Believe.” I love the wonder of the holiday season, and that one word, “believe,” seems to encapsulate the feeling. Generally, I assume the word refers to believing in Santa Claus. However, I realize the sentiment challenges us to believe in many things.
The idea of “believe” is the basis for a plethora of holiday movies. In many Hallmark-like pictures, the hero is Santa in disguise. Writers at the Disney studios created The Santa Clause movies where the characters continually discuss believing in Santa Claus. In addition, there’s the classic film, Miracle on 34th Street.
Miracle on 34th Street
In Miracle on 34th Street, Suzy is a little girl who tries to decide if the kind elderly gentleman named Kris is the real Santa Claus. She learns his beard is real and he is able to speak Dutch. At one point, she declares she thinks he is Santa because he’s “kind, nice, and jolly.”
However, Suzy has one issue that keeps her from believing. Suzy asks Kris for a house for Christmas. She states if he can’t deliver what she wants, then he’s just a very nice old man.
Santa Claus View of God
We carry a similar pattern of belief in our consideration toward God. We tend to have a Santa Claus view of God. Whereas we may never state the words aloud, we see God as good only if we don’t encounter too many struggles. If, for example, we are able to pay all our bills, our family is healthy, we maintain steady employment, and we live a comfortable life. We see God through eyes that evaluate how our life is laid out.
Faith is Necessary
“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6, CSB
God clearly tells us in His Word we can’t please Him without faith. Dictionary.com defines faith as “belief that is not based on proof.” In Miracle on 34th Street, Suzy was looking for proof; we look for proof of God’s love and goodness all the time. However, as believers, we must be convinced God is real, He is alive and present with us.
God also provides benefits for our lives when we believe. In Mark 11:24, Jesus tells us God will move mountains for us if we pray and believe. Jesus also states in Mark 9, “everything is possible for the one who believes.” (verse 23, CSB). John tells us everyone who believes in Christ will never die (John 11:25) Plus Matthew tells us a story where the disciples were unable to drive out demons because of their lack of faith (Matthew 17:14-21).
And still we doubt. We act just like Suzy. We continually look for tangible, hard evidence that proves God is real, good, and loving. For whatever reason, we don’t want to sound illogical or impractical. However, many people will consider us illogical and impractical because we believe in God. That’s the nature of faith.
How to Overcome our Doubts
We are left to consider the following questions. How do we overcome our doubts? What can we do to establish an unwavering faith, a confident belief?
Seek God and Draw Near
First of all, we must seek God and draw near to Him (Hebrews 11:6). Just like the Wise Men we discussed last week, we must be dedicated to discovering God. We also must worship God alone, over anyone and anything else. In addition, we must live in obedience to God.
James tells us in his letter to the twelve tribes; we must also cleanse and purify ourselves (James 4:8). If we want to truly draw near to God, we must not be double-minded. In other words, we must not want God and something else. For example, we can’t say we want God and to be married, or God and a good job, or God and a family. When we choose to believe God, we declare He is all we need.
Jesus is Lord
Second, we must accept the truth “Jesus is Lord.” (Romans 10:9) No one is greater than Christ. In fact, God is bigger than the rules of natural life. God is able to conquer death; death is not the end as we see it in our human understanding. Whatever we face, regardless of the circumstance we live, God has more power. He alone is Sovereign.
Don’t be Swayed
Third, don’t allow outside forces to sway you (James 1:6). Many in our world state their opinion as absolute truth. Sadly, we buy into what they say because they appear to live an enviable life. We assume they must have the best answers because we want the material things they own, or we desire their power and influence. We must continually return to the truth “Jesus is Lord.”
Use God’s Open-Door Policy
Fourth, take advantage of God’s open-door policy. The author of Hebrews tells us “…approach the throne of grace with boldness…” (Hebrews 4:16). When we struggle with doubt, seeing Jesus as Lord, or being swayed by the world, we are allowed to go to God, for Christ understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). God gives out mercy and grace to strengthen us and empower us when we need it.
We are free to approach God with the same attitude as the father in Mark 9:24. Jesus tells him “Everything is possible for the one who believes.” The father responds with “I do believe, help my unbelief.”
Belief Doesn’t Guarantee Understanding
Last, remember belief doesn’t guarantee understanding. Do you recall the exchange between Martha and Jesus after Lazarus died? Martha tells Jesus Lazarus would not have died if Jesus had been there. Jesus reassures her with “Your brother will rise again.” Martha immediately jumps to the resurrection at the last day (John 11:24-27). She believed, but she didn’t understand all Jesus was saying to her.
In the movie, Miracle on 34th Street, Doris, Suzy’s mother, says toward the end of the movie, “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” We can not understand all God is and does. His understanding and wisdom are so far beyond our abilities. We can trust His choices to be for our best.
Belief is God’s Work
Let’s be honest. Sometimes, to believe seems difficult. Allow me to give you some reassurance. Jesus tells us in John 6:29 that believing in Christ is God’s work. We don’t have to try harder to believe more. God does a work in our heart and mind.
Paul tells us in Romans 15:13 that God fills us with joy and peace as we believe. God’s joy and peace affirm to our spirit that God is true, good, and loving. In addition, Holy Spirit works in our lives so that we overflow with hope as we experience God’s joy and peace.
Our Responsibility
We have the responsibility to seek God and draw near to Him. Each of us must accept the truth that Jesus is Lord, and no one is greater than He is. We must set our intentions to not be swayed by the world, but when we struggle, we must immediately go to God’s throne and ask for help. We don’t need to understand everything; instead, we must trust God’s choices for us.
We don’t have to be like Suzy and expect God to meet our every wish. God is not Santa Claus. He does not just give us what is on our wish list. We must release the idea that we know what abundant life looks like. Instead, we must choose to believe.
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?… I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father… Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me…”
John 14:1-11, CSB
Believe Photo by Peggy Sue Zinn on Unsplash
