Faith and Doubt: Trusting God in Struggles

Devotional

Day 1: God's Presence in Our Pain

In moments of deep personal struggle, it can feel as though God is distant, leaving us to question His presence and love. Whether it's a marital issue, a job crisis, or a personal battle with depression, these circumstances can weigh heavily on our hearts. It's easy to look around and feel as though everyone else is being blessed while we are left in the shadows. This feeling is compounded by the well-meaning but often unhelpful platitudes offered by others, which can make us feel even more isolated in our pain. The story of John the Baptist offers a profound insight into this struggle. Despite being one of Jesus' closest and most beloved followers, John found himself imprisoned and seemingly forgotten by Jesus, who withdrew to Galilee instead of rescuing him. This narrative challenges the notion that our circumstances are a direct reflection of God's love or presence. It reminds us that even the greatest among us, like John, can experience doubt and feel abandoned. [18:23]

Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt abandoned in your struggles. How can you remind yourself today that God is still present and working in your life, even if you can't see it?

Day 2: The Role of Doubt in Faith

Doubt is not a sign of weak faith but a part of the journey. John the Baptist, despite his close relationship with Jesus, experienced doubt. This shows that questioning is a natural part of faith. Jesus' response to John's inquiry about His identity is telling. Instead of offering a direct answer, He points to the miracles being performed, subtly affirming His identity and mission. Yet, He also acknowledges the potential for His actions, or lack thereof, to cause stumbling. This acknowledgment is a powerful reminder that our faith is not contingent on our circumstances or our understanding of God's actions. Jesus invites us to bring our doubts and questions to Him, assuring us that they are a natural part of our faith journey. [25:02]

Mark 9:24 (ESV): "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'"

Reflection: What doubts are you currently wrestling with in your faith journey? How can you bring these doubts to God in prayer, asking for His guidance and reassurance?

Day 3: Trust Beyond Understanding

Faith involves trusting God beyond our understanding. Jesus' response to John's disciples highlights that our faith should not be based solely on our circumstances or our understanding of God's actions. The key is to trust in God's overarching plan, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. The story of John the Baptist, along with the testimony of individuals like Maryanne Jones, who have faced immense personal loss yet continue to trust in God, serves as a testament to the enduring nature of faith amidst life's uncertainties. [30:13]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust God's plan. What steps can you take today to surrender this area to Him, trusting that He knows what is best?

Day 4: Community and Support

The support of others is crucial in times of struggle. Maryanne Jones' story illustrates the importance of community in restoring faith and finding purpose amidst pain. When we are surrounded by a loving and supportive community, we are reminded that we are not alone in our struggles. This community can provide encouragement, prayer, and practical help, allowing us to experience God's love through the actions of others. It is essential to seek out and invest in relationships that will uplift and strengthen us in our faith journey. [39:23]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to for support and encouragement in your current struggles? How can you also be a source of support for someone else in need?

Day 5: Enduring Hope

Our hope is not limited to this life but extends into eternity. Jesus offers a hope that transcends our current circumstances, inviting us to trust in His eternal promises. This enduring hope allows us to face life's challenges with a perspective that goes beyond the here and now. It reminds us that our ultimate destination is with God, where there will be no more pain or suffering. By focusing on this eternal hope, we can find strength and courage to persevere through the trials we face today. [41:27]

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from your current struggles to the eternal hope that Jesus offers? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this hope each day?

Sermon Summary

In times of deep personal struggle, it can feel as though God is distant, leaving us to question His presence and love. Whether it's a marital issue, a job crisis, or a personal battle with depression, these circumstances can weigh heavily on our hearts. It's easy to look around and feel as though everyone else is being blessed while we are left in the shadows. This feeling is compounded by the well-meaning but often unhelpful platitudes offered by others, which can make us feel even more isolated in our pain.

The story of John the Baptist offers a profound insight into this struggle. Despite being one of Jesus' closest and most beloved followers, John found himself imprisoned and seemingly forgotten by Jesus, who withdrew to Galilee instead of rescuing him. This narrative challenges the notion that our circumstances are a direct reflection of God's love or presence. It reminds us that even the greatest among us, like John, can experience doubt and feel abandoned.

Jesus' response to John's inquiry about His identity is telling. Instead of offering a direct answer, He points to the miracles being performed, subtly affirming His identity and mission. Yet, He also acknowledges the potential for His actions, or lack thereof, to cause stumbling. This acknowledgment is a powerful reminder that our faith is not contingent on our circumstances or our understanding of God's actions.

The key is to trust in God's overarching plan, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. Jesus invites us to bring our doubts and questions to Him, assuring us that they are a natural part of our faith journey. The story of John the Baptist, along with the testimony of individuals like Maryanne Jones, who have faced immense personal loss yet continue to trust in God, serves as a testament to the enduring nature of faith amidst life's uncertainties.

Key Takeaways

1. God's Presence in Our Pain: Even when God feels distant, He is not absent. Our circumstances do not define His love for us. Like John the Baptist, we may feel forgotten, but God is still at work in ways we may not understand. [18:23]
2. The Role of Doubt in Faith: Doubt is not a sign of weak faith but a part of the journey. John the Baptist, despite his close relationship with Jesus, experienced doubt. This shows that questioning is a natural part of faith. [25:02]
3. Trust Beyond Understanding: Faith involves trusting God beyond our understanding. Jesus' response to John's disciples highlights that our faith should not be based solely on our circumstances or our understanding of God's actions. [30:13]
4. Community and Support: The support of others is crucial in times of struggle. Maryanne Jones' story illustrates the importance of community in restoring faith and finding purpose amidst pain. [39:23]
5. Enduring Hope: Our hope is not limited to this life but extends into eternity. Jesus offers a hope that transcends our current circumstances, inviting us to trust in His eternal promises. [41:27]
** [41:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Identifying Life's Struggles
[01:50] - Comparing Our Lives to Others
[03:27] - Unhelpful Platitudes
[05:06] - The Church's Role in Pain
[06:16] - Exploring God's Love in Circumstances
[07:30] - Circumstances and Faith
[08:21] - Doubt and Faith: John the Baptist
[09:03] - Jesus' Praise for John
[10:15] - John the Baptist's Boldness
[12:25] - Herod's Fear of John
[14:17] - John's Imprisonment
[17:13] - Jesus' Response to John's Arrest
[20:32] - John's Doubts and Questions
[25:02] - John's Inquiry to Jesus
[29:19] - Jesus' Message to John
[32:43] - Jesus' Assurance to the Crowd
[39:23] - Maryanne Jones' Story
[41:27] - Enduring Hope and Faith

Sermon Clips

Jesus anticipated your confusion and mine, Jesus anticipated our doubts. Jesus anticipated as we sit back and try to make this a formula. And I thought, if I did, God must, and if I promised and God will, I thought there was some kind of formula, some kind of code. And God's not acting like I think God should act. [29:52]

And Jesus is saying Blessed is the person. Blessed is the person that does not get tripped up when I don't act like they think I ought to act. Blessed are the, are the followers who don't quit following when their heavenly Father doesn't do what they think their heavenly Father ought to do. [30:19]

He anticipated our confusion, his response or non-response may trip us up. His response or non-response may cause us to doubt. It might tempt us to walk away. And that's unnecessary. And I wanna say this to some of you today. 'cause you're right on the edge of that. You're reaching for the doorknob to go, okay, [30:38]

the reason Jesus said this is this he knows, and some of you've experienced this, that when you lose faith, you opt for something to substitute for your faith. When you decide God's not it, Jesus is not it. Christianity's not it. You will opt for something else. You will choose something else. [30:52]

And that something else usually makes things worse, not better. I love what Philip Yancy says. I don't, I don't even know, I don't even remember which book this was from, but I I I just hang on to this. He says, the only thing worse, the only thing worse than disappointment with God is trying [31:14]

to navigate disappointment without God. The only thing worse than disappointment with God, God's not acting the way I think God should act, is facing disappointment once you've put God in the rear view mirror. Because in that moment you have no hope of ever making sense of things and you have no hope that things will ever make sense. [31:19]

And Jesus says, this is amazing. He says, I understand. I understand how my behavior, I understand how the inactivity of the heavenly Father, I understand how unanswered prayer may trip you up. Blessed is the one who doesn't allow themselves to be tripped up happy. [31:57]

Happy is the one who does not confuse my silence for my absence. Ha happy is the happy is the follower who follows anyway. Happy is the believer who continues to believe leave anyway. And then John's disciples leave to go tell John the good news. [32:12]

Jesus makes the comment I just read and this is when he says to the audience because they're confused. Like, why don't you go with him? Why don't you do something? We love John the Baptist. I mean John the Baptist is a legend. Why don't you do something? And Jesus assures them, he says, nah, I, I I get it. [32:36]

I understand how, how my behavior is so confusing to you. So lemme just assure you this is when he says it. I say to you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John the Baptist. He's the best. He's one of my favorites, but I'm not gonna rescue him. [32:42]

And he didn't. And he may not rescue you either, but you don't have to stumble away from Jesus your Savior. God may answer your prayer, he may answer it in a way you don't expect. He may answer your prayer and timing. That's not your timing. I I get all that. But there may be a no, there may be a no rescue. [33:06]

Does that mean God doesn't care? Does that mean God is silent? Does that mean God isn't up to something? Absolutely not. Jesus arranged these scenarios, these narratives, these actual historical incidents for our benefit, happier those who face adversity trust anyway, follow anyway and don't stumble away from God their father. [33:30]

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