Some Christians confuse doubt with heresy, as if going through a season of unbelief is equivalent to not believing at all. For this reason, we may not only keep our doubts from others, we may attempt to keep them from God. We fear telling him the truth. Though we may be thinking things like, I don’t know if I believe in God anymore and I don’t think he’s good right now and I don’t know if I trust his Word, we don’t tell him directly. We don’t bring him our doubts.
But God does not fear the doubter, nor will he reprimand her for her questions. Look at the story of Thomas. Renowned for his skepticism, this disciple has gone down in history as “Doubting Thomas.”
Thomas was skeptical of the story he had heard about Jesus’ resurrection. He demanded proof: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).
A week later, Jesus appeared to Thomas and the other disciples. How did Jesus respond to Thomas’ earlier statement? Was he angry with Thomas? Did he rebuke him? No. Jesus gave Thomas exactly what he was asking for: proof.
Jesus said, “‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe’” (v. 27). It’s interesting to note that Jesus said “stop doubting and believe” after he gave Thomas the proof he was seeking.
Jesus does not fear our questions, skepticism, or doubt. Instead, Jesus enters into our questioning. He wants us to believe, yes, but he also understands that some of us need to figuratively “see the nail marks in his hands.” Ask him and, in his time, he will show you.
Andrea Lucado is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. She is the author of English Lessons: The Crooked Path of Growing Toward Faith. Follow her at AndreaLucado.com, on Instagram, or Twitter.
