Dealing with Doubt and Questions about Faith

When Faith Meets Questions: Maybe you’re a young Christian who’s starting to wonder “Do I really believe all this?” Or perhaps you didn’t grow up in church, and now you have a ton of questions about God and the Bible. You might even be a long-time believer secretly struggling with doubt. If that’s you, take a deep breath: doubts and questions are normal. In fact, most Christians admit to experiencing doubt at some point. A study found that about two-thirds of U.S. Christians have gone through a season of questioning their faith. You’re not a “bad Christian” because you have doubts. In many cases, working through doubt can lead to a stronger and more resilient faith.

The Bible is full of people who brought their questions to God. Think of Thomas, one of Jesus’ own disciples, who doubted Jesus’ resurrection until he saw proof. Or the father who cried out to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Even John the Baptist – a mighty prophet – had a moment in prison where he sent messengers to Jesus asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:19). These stories show that God doesn’t punish us for our sincere questions. He meets us in our uncertainty and helps us find clarity.

“A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it.” — Tim Keller

As author Tim Keller wisely points out, questions can actually strengthen our faith’s “immune system.” If we never examine why we believe, our faith might be unprepared for challenges. Asking honest questions can lead you to a deeper, more unshakable belief. So give yourself permission to ask and seek. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7). God is not afraid of your doubts!

Common Sources of Doubt: Sometimes doubts come from intellectual questions (like “How do I know God exists?” or “Why would a good God allow suffering?”). Other times, doubts are emotional, often triggered by pain (“Where was God when I went through that hardship?”). Hypocrisy or hurt caused by Christians or churches can also make us question what we’ve been taught. These are real and valid questions. It’s okay to acknowledge them. In fact, about 65% of Christians have at some point questioned what they believe, often due to difficult life experiences or questions about doctrine. Even famous Christian figures have wrestled with doubt – C.S. Lewis, after losing his wife, doubted God’s goodness, and Mother Teresa wrote about times when God felt absent. You’re in good company.

What Should You Do with Your Doubts? Here are a few suggestions for dealing with doubt in a healthy way:

• Bring Your Questions to God in Prayer: This might sound strange if you’re doubting God, but try praying about your doubts. Something as simple as “God, if You’re there, help me find the truth” is a great start. God promises that those who seek Him “will find Him” (Jeremiah 29:13). The very act of seeking is a step of faith. The book of Psalms actually gives us language for this – the psalmists often asked God “Why?” and “How long?” and expressed confusion. God included those honest prayers in the Bible as if to give us permission to do the same.
• Ask, but also listen and learn: Don’t let doubts just churn in your head endlessly; chase them down. If you have intellectual questions, seek out answers. Read the Bible with fresh eyes, looking for answers to your questions. It can help to write questions in a journal as you read – you might be surprised when answers appear in the very passages you’re reading. Additionally, there are so many resources out there: books, podcasts, and websites by people who have asked the same questions. (For example, if you wonder about evidence for the resurrection, a book like The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel might help, or if you struggle with suffering, try Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller.) Sometimes doubt is God’s invitation to learn. As Proverbs 2:3-5 says, “if you call out for insight… and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord.” In other words, God rewards the sincere seeker.
• Talk to Someone You Trust: It could be a pastor (Pastor Gordon would gladly listen without judgment), a mentor, or a friend who takes faith seriously. Find someone who won’t freak out that you’re doubting, but will walk with you through it. The Bible encourages believers to “have mercy on those who doubt” (Jude 1:22), and a good church will be a safe place for questions. Sometimes just voicing your doubts out loud deflates their power. And someone a bit further along in faith might offer a perspective that brings you peace or at least points you in a helpful direction.
• Keep Going to the Source: While books and mentors are great, don’t neglect going straight to God’s Word. You might find parts of the Bible confusing in this season – that’s okay. But also seek out the parts that speak to what you’re struggling with. The Gospel of John, for instance, was written “so that you may believe” (John 20:31). The Psalms can be comforting if you feel God is distant. Ecclesiastes can resonate if you’re questioning meaning in life. It’s a bit like working out when you don’t feel like it – feeding on Scripture, even when you have doubts, can strengthen the faith muscles you need.

Faith and Uncertainty Can Coexist: You might find that even as you get answers to some questions, new ones arise. That’s normal. We are finite humans trying to understand an infinite God – there will always be some mystery. Part of maturing in faith is learning to trust God despite unanswered questions. After all, a relationship with God, like any relationship, involves trust. The good news is God has proven Himself trustworthy time and again – through fulfilled promises in Scripture, through the evidence of Jesus’ life and resurrection, and through personal experiences of Christians throughout history. Doubt isn’t the enemy of faith; often it’s a pathway to a deeper faith. As one author put it, “Struggling with God over the mysteries of life isn’t a sign of spiritual weakness, but of spiritual growth.”

Remember, having doubts doesn’t mean you’ve lost your faith. In fact, working through doubt is often how a personal faith (one that’s truly yours and not just inherited) is born. If you press on, you may come out the other side like the Apostle Thomas – who after having his questions answered, exclaimed to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). His doubt transformed into a strong declaration of faith.

Prayer: God, thank you for being patient with my questions. You know the doubts and uncertainties I carry. Please guide me to truth and give me wisdom as I seek answers. Help me to sense Your presence even in my uncertainty. Strengthen my faith through this process, and surround me with people who can encourage me. I believe, Lord – help my unbelief. Amen.
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If this post speaks to something in your life, we’d love to talk with you. Please call Pastor Gordon Blickle at 216-213-8637 or email [email protected].