When Doubts Are Dangerous

When it comes to your relationship with God, doubts are dangerous.  

Really dangerous. Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and let me explain with a story. When I was back in college, my student administrator connected me with Virginia, a girl on campus who was enthusiastic about helping me in my wheelchair. Virginia knew that I needed assistance getting around. Now this was back in the early 70s before curb cuts and ramps were mandated on campuses. Virginia was assigned to push me the long way around to class; so she also made time to help me in the cafeteria, and I was grateful. Grateful until the second week. One day at lunch, she failed to show up. Another day I was late to class because she forgot. I began to have big doubts about her reliability and her trustworthiness. When a special college event required help, I chose not to ask Virginia. I just chose not to turn to her when there was a need. She was not to be trusted. 

Now, let me explain how this relates to God. Because he is to be trusted. Always. He’s totally reliable and totally dependable. He will never forget you or fail to show up. The trouble is, when God allows hardships and suffering in your life, you tend to doubt those truths. And doubting God becomes very dangerous when you think he has turned his back on you. Friend, you must never allow yourself to believe that the painful things you’re going through are a failure on God’s part. Do not dare entertain the thought that he is not as trustworthy as you thought him to be. Allowing yourself to think this way is so dangerous. How so? Well, when you begin to toy with the idea that the Lord is unreliable, or is against you, or is treating you too harshly, or is not dependable, then you stop going to him for help. You stop believing in his promises. You don’t run to him first thing when there’s an emergency. You stop leaning on him. It’s like me and Virginia, back when we were in college. If there was a need, I wasn’t about to turn to her; I wasn’t about to ask her or rely on her. And friend, you do not want to look at God that way. 

It’s why Proverbs 3 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Friend, don’t lean on your assessment of God and his ways. Lean on what the Bible says, what his promises say. This is especially true for people who are suffering and suffering hard. When pain feels overwhelming, it is tempting to think that God is unreliable or that he’s treating you too harshly. There was a time when I was first injured and facing paralysis, that I, too, felt that way. But Christian friends prayed for me using the Word of God. They’d pray, “Lord Jesus, would you help Joni not to lean on her own understanding of this paralysis; help her to trust in you with all her heart.” They were praying Proverbs 3 over me and, boy, did it make a difference. And I want you to pray for your hurting friends in the same way. So visit joniradio.org today, ’cause I want to give you Nancy Guthrie’s new book “I’m Praying for You: 40 Days of Praying the Bible for Someone Who is Suffering.” There are all kinds of Scriptures you can use to pray for your hurting friend who is toying with doubts about God. So please, the book is a gift to you at joniradio.org. Again, it’s all about praying the Bible over someone who is struggling. And remember, don’t you doubt, either; always trust the Lord because he is the most trustworthy friend you will ever have. We’ll see you later at joniradio.org. 

© Joni and Friends