You have probably experienced a moment or two when doubt knocks you down. We all have. For this week’s Monday Minute, Michelle shares how God helped her rise up after particularly challenging time in her family’s life.
When Doubt Knocks You Down
by Michelle Hieb
If God is good then why…?
Our military service began in a season of great distress for our family.
We were living the American dream. We bought a small comfortable home, birthed two beautiful children, a girl and a boy. Both of us were employed in jobs we enjoyed. We were active in our church and lived near family where our children could grow up loved by their extended family and community.
Then it all changed.
In the span of one month life pulled the rug from under us.
My husband’s mother passed (just 10 months after his father).We both lost our jobs. Our 3 year old daughter was hospitalized the day after my mother-in-law’s funeral. Then, my brother-in-law, my husband’s only brother, required hospitalization for heart surgery. We found out we were pregnant–then we weren’t. Mortgage and bill payments slipped behind. Our friends referred to us as Job.
My head spun as I tried to solve all the problems, but I had no solutions. Where was God? Just a few years earlier I had finally, truly made Him Lord of my life. I clung to that mustard seed of faith and wondered…would he really meet our needs? Would he provide? From our grief came provision. Our inheritance landed in our bank account. We paid the bills. But my husband still couldn’t find work. Then, he came home from an interview.
“The Army is hiring. It’s always been a dream of mine to serve like my dad.”
“But, what about our family? Our friends? Our house?”
It was then God whispered in my soul. “Your husband and children are your family. I am your friend. Wherever you go, I will be there.”
We chose an MOS. He signed the papers and received his start date. We found out we were expecting again and experienced our first 6 month separation. We moved to Fort Campbell, found an apartment, and celebrated the birth of our third child. And then he left again for a year.
God whispered, “Your family is mine too. You are mine. Will you let me keep you all?”
I wish I could say I responded with a fervent “Yes, LORD!” Instead, my heart replied like the father in Mark 9:24: “I believe; help me with my unbelief.”
But, like the father’s son who found healing, I discovered God receives even our shakiest yes. He sustained us through that year and through the coming years as we struggled through marriage issues revealed when all is stripped away. God brought provision, healing, friends, and “framily”.
Now, as we face the end of our military career I look back over all the years of provision: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Because of all that, I can look into the blank slate of the future and confidently say: “I believe; help me with my unbelief.”
Did you know that some of the disciples doubted even as they worshipped the resurrected Christ?
“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Knowing their doubts, he still commanded them to go forward and promised to be with them every step of the way. And they did. With God’s help, we can all rise up when doubt knocks us down.
Rise UP
Train Read Matthew 13:58, Matthew 14:28-31, Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 9:24, Romans 11:19-23, Jude 1:20-22 What does Scripture seem to say about unbelief/doubts? How are we to treat someone with doubts? What happens when we obey despite our doubt?
Remember Look back over your life and recall the times God responded to your doubtful obedience. How did things turn out? Are there times that you allowed your doubts to result in disobedience? How do your past experiences line up with what Scripture says?
Pray Thank God for his faithfulness even when you doubted. Repent of any disobedience brought about by your doubts. Ask God to grow and strengthen your faith and to remove any remaining doubts.
Prayer
Lord, you alone are worthy. We worship you even as doubts about your goodness or willingness to provide plague our hearts and minds. Show mercy on us and remove our doubts that our faith will grow and be strengthened. Amen.
If you find yourself in a season when doubt knocks you down, we’d love to pray for you. Visit our Prayer Page to send us your confidential request.
