If you struggle with doubt, take heart: You are not alone.
By nature, I am a skeptical person. Perhaps this sounds odd coming from a pastor, but it's true. Doubt happens for a variety of reasons, including when you hear about something that is contrary to your experience and everything you know. In such instances, skepticism is natural—even when the person sharing this new insight seems like a credible witness.
Doubt is a universal human experience. Even the most faithful Christians wrestle with it. Questions arise in our minds: Is God really with me? Does he truly forgive my sins? Can I trust his promises when I don’t see immediate evidence of his work?
Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, famously struggled with doubt. Because of his skepticism, history remembers him as "Doubting Thomas." But his story is not just about doubt—it is also about faith, grace, and Christ’s patience with those who struggle.
Thomas’ journey from skepticism to belief offers hope for all of us who wrestle with questions in our faith.
The Source of Thomas' Doubt
Thomas was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples after His resurrection. When they joyfully proclaimed, "We have seen the Lord!" Thomas could not accept it. His response was firm: "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe" (John 20:25). Seems like a rational and reasonable request.
When hardships come—illness, loss, unanswered prayers—it is easy to wonder whether God is truly there.
We may be tempted to judge Thomas harshly for his doubt, but his reaction is deeply human. He had just witnessed the horrific death of Jesus. His hopes had been crushed. His expectations of Jesus as the Messiah had been shattered by the brutal reality of the cross. In his grief and confusion, he could not bring himself to believe without tangible proof.
Like Thomas, we often desire visible confirmation of God's presence and promises. When hardships come—illness, loss, unanswered prayers—it is easy to wonder whether God is truly there.
Jesus' Compassion for the Doubter
Eight days after the resurrection, Jesus appeared again to his disciples. This time, Thomas was with them. Notice that Jesus never rebuked Thomas for his doubt. Instead, Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds and see for himself.
What a beautiful demonstration of Christ's patience and steadfast love! Jesus did not abandon Thomas because of his skepticism. He met Thomas where he was and provided what he needed to believe.
Jesus also meets us in our doubts and unbelief. He does not turn us away when we struggle. Instead, he invites us to bring our doubts to him and find reassurance in his Word and Sacraments.
The Goal: "My Lord and My God!"
When Thomas saw Jesus, he did not need to touch his wounds after all. Seeing Christ before him, he responded with a bold confession of faith and an act of worship: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).
This is one of the most powerful declarations of Jesus’ divinity in Scripture. Thomas, who had doubted, now proclaimed with certainty that Jesus was both his Lord and his God.
We have not seen the risen Christ with our eyes, yet we believe in him through the testimony of Scripture, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the means of grace.
This is the transformation Christ desires in us as well—not that we never wrestle with doubt, but that we are led through doubt into a deeper, more personal faith in him. Jesus then said, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).
This blessing is for me writing this. This blessing is for you reading this. We have not seen the risen Christ with our eyes, yet we believe in him through the testimony of Scripture, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the means of grace. Our faith is not based on sight but on trust in the reliability of the original eyewitnesses who wrote the Gospel records.
Dealing with Doubt
So, how should you handle doubt when it arises?
- Bring your doubts to Jesus. Thomas did not keep his doubts to himself. He expressed them honestly, and I'm sure his fellow disciples were not exactly thrilled with him for this. No matter. Jesus responded by meeting him where he was. Likewise, you should bring your doubts to God in prayer and seek his truth in Scripture.
- Stay connected to the Christian community. Thomas missed Jesus' first appearance because he was not with the other disciples. When we isolate ourselves in doubt, it can grow stronger. Surrounding ourselves with fellow believers helps strengthen our faith. As Martin Luther said, the church is a place for "mutual conversation and consolation." And trust me on this: your fellow believers struggle as much as you do.
- Rely on God's promises, not just your feelings. Our emotions can be unreliable, but God's Word is steadfast. When doubt creeps in, we must return to his promises in Scripture, which declare his love, forgiveness, and faithfulness.
- Remember God's faithfulness in the past. Just as Jesus fulfilled his promise to rise from the dead, he remains faithful in our lives today. Reflecting on times when God has answered prayers and provided for us can help strengthen our present trust in him. For this reason, one of my favorite prayers in Scripture is: "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).
- Make use of the means of grace. Christ gives you his Word and sacraments to strengthen your faith. Absolution is a voice declared outside of yourself to reassure you that you are forgiven for Christ's sake. Baptism reminds you of your true identity, that you belong to him, and that the Lord's Supper nourishes you with his very body and blood. Through these means, God will continually reassure you of his presence and love.
If you struggle with doubt, take heart: You are not alone. Even one of Jesus’ own disciples wrestled with uncertainty and unbelief. But Jesus did not abandon Thomas, and he will not abandon you. May we all, like Thomas, move from doubt to faith and joyfully confess, "My Lord and my God!"
Read the first part of this two-part series, here.
