April 28, 2025 • 32 mins
Doubt often lurks in the shadows of our faith conversations, treated like a shameful secret rather than a universal experience. This episode boldly shines light on the intellectual side of doubt—those moments when our minds struggle to reconcile faith with science, suffering, and scriptural complexities.
Drawing from biblical examples like Thomas, Moses, and Job, we discover that questioning isn't spiritually weak—it's profoundly human. Jesus Himself commands us to love God with our minds, not just our hearts and souls. The greatest scientific minds throughout history were often people of deep faith who saw no contradiction between rational inquiry and spiritual devotion.
What if mystery isn't a flaw in Christianity but an essential feature? Isaiah reminds us that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, inviting us into trust beyond complete understanding. As Timothy Keller writes, "A faith without some doubts is like a human body without antibodies"—moments of questioning can actually strengthen our spiritual immune system.
The journey from doubt to deeper faith isn't about acquiring perfect certainty. It's about anchoring ourselves to Jesus Christ—the historical, tangible revelation of God's love who remains "the same yesterday, today, and forever." When Thomas needed proof, Jesus didn't scold him but showed him his scars. That same compassionate response awaits us in our uncertainties.
Whether you're confidently grounded or knee-deep in questions, this episode offers both permission to doubt honestly and practical wisdom for finding your way through. Your questions don't disqualify you from faith—they might be the very doorway to its deepest treasures.
I would love to hear from you!
For listeners looking to deepen their engagement with the topics discussed, visit our website or check out our devotionals and poetry on Amazon, with all proceeds supporting The New York School of The Bible at Calvary Baptist Church. Stay connected and enriched on your spiritual path with us!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello and welcome back to the Compass Chronicles,
where faith, fandom and reallife meet in meaningful
conversation.
I'm Javier, your host andfellow traveler on this winding
road of faith.
Whether you're tuning in fromyour car, your kitchen or your
favorite reading spot, I'm gladyou're here.
We're in the second half of atwo-part journey exploring doubt
specifically.
Is doubt a sin?
In part one, we dug into whatscripture says about doubt,
(00:20):
looked at heroes of the faithwho wrestle with it and tackled
the tough reality of doubt thatcomes from pain or church hurt.
If you missed it, go back andgive it a listen.
It sets the stage for wherewe're headed today.
In this episode, we're pickingup with the intellectual side of
doubt, those moments when ourhead and heart seem to clash.
We'll explore the gift ofmystery, how doubt can deepen
our spiritual maturity and wherewe can anchor our faith when
questions linger.
(00:40):
Let's dive in, but first let'spray together.
Heavenly Father, thank you formeeting us in our questions and
our seeking as we continue thisconversation about doubt, open
our hearts to your truth, guideour minds with your wisdom and
draw us closer to your Son.
In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.
Have you ever felt like yourmind was pulling you one way
while your heart was tugging youin another.
Like you, believe in God, butyour questions about science,
(01:02):
suffering or scripture leave youscratching your head.
If that sounds familiar, you'renot alone and you're definitely
not broken.
One of the most common sourcesof doubt is this inner tension
between what we feel to be truein our hearts and what we're
struggling to make sense of inour minds.
It's the classic head versusheart dilemma and unfortunately,
a lot of well-meaningChristians have been told to
just turn off their brain andhave faith.
But real, sustainable faithdoesn't ask us to check our
(01:25):
logic at the door.
Instead, it invites us to bringour questions into the presence
of God and wrestle honestly.
Let's begin with what Jesushimself said in Matthew, chapter
22, verse 37.
You shall love the Lord, yourGod, with all your heart and
with all your soul and with allyour mind.
That last part, with all yourmind, isn't a throwaway phrase.
It's a directive.
God doesn't just want yourworship when the music's playing
(01:46):
.
He wants your intellect engaged, your curiosity sparked, your
questions welcomed.
He's not threatened by science,history or philosophy.
After all, he created all of it.
In fact, the more we study theintricacies of creation, the
order of the cosmos, the depthof biological systems, the
beauty of mathematics, the morewe see the fingerprints of a
divine creator.
Logic and faith are not enemiesAt their best they work
(02:06):
together.
Few thinkers have captured thisbalance better than CS Lewis.
Once a staunch atheist, lewisapproached Christianity with
deep skepticism.
He didn't want to believe justfor emotional comfort.
He wanted to know if it wastrue.
And over time, through study,friendship especially with
fellow author JRR Tolkien, anddeep reflection, lewis became
convinced that Christianity madethe most sense of the world.
In mere Christianity, he wrote.
(02:27):
I believe in Christianity as Ibelieve that the sun has risen,
not only because I see it, butbecause by it I see everything
else.
Lewis isn't saying that faithignores reason.
He's saying that faith givescontext to reason.
It's the light by whicheverything else comes into focus
.
Many believers, especially thoseraised in the church, are
handed a simplified version offaith.
And while simple faith can bebeautiful, it can also leave us
(02:48):
unprepared when we encounterreal-life complexity.
What happens when the Sundayschool answers don't hold up
under pressure?
That's where doubt often entersthe scene, not as a rejection
of God, but as a desire to godeeper, and that's a good thing.
Timothy Keller, in the Reasonfor God, writes this A faith
without some doubts is like ahuman body without any
antibodies in it.
People who go through life toobusy or indifferent to ask hard
(03:12):
questions about why they believeas they do will find themselves
defenseless against either theexperience of tragedy or the
probing questions of a smartskeptic.
Keller makes a powerful pointWrestling with doubt is part of
building a resilient faith.
It's how we develop spiritualantibodies.
So what do you do when thedoubts aren't emotional but
intellectual, when you'restruggling to make sense of
complex questions that don'tseem to have easy answers?
Let's walk through a few of themost common intellectual
(03:32):
sticking points and explore howChristians throughout history
have responded.
One of the most common doubtssounds like this if I believe in
God, do I have to rejectscience?
The short answer absolutely not.
Some of the greatest scientificminds in history were devout
Christians, people like IsaacNewton, johannes Kepler, blaise
Pascal and Gregor Mendel, thefather of modern genetics.
They didn't see a conflictbetween science and faith.
(03:52):
They saw science as a way tounderstand the mind of God.
Modern scientists like FrancisCollins, the former head of the
Human Genome Project, havecontinued this tradition.
Collins is both a world-classgeneticist and a passionate
Christian.
In his book the Language of God, he writes the God of the Bible
is also the God of the genome.
He can be worshipped in thecathedral or in the laboratory.
Faith and science answerdifferent kinds of questions.
(04:14):
Science explains the mechanics,the how.
Faith explores meaning, the why.
They're not at war, they're inconversation.
This is the intellectual andemotional question that hits
home for almost everyone at somepoint.
If God is all-loving andall-powerful, why do terrible
things happen?
This is a huge question, onethat books, sermons and entire
doctoral theses have tried toanswer.
But let's touch on a few keypoints.
(04:34):
First, the Bible never shiesaway from the reality of
suffering.
From Genesis to Revelation, wesee a world groaning under the
weight of sin, injustice andpain.
The presence of suffering isn'ta surprise to the Christian
worldview.
It's central to the story.
Second, we have to recognizethat Christianity offers
something unique a God whosuffers with us.
In Isaiah, chapter 53, theMessiah is described as a man of
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sorrows acquainted with grief.
In the Gospels, jesus weeps,bleeds and dies.
The cross is not God avoidingsuffering, it's God entering
into it.
So while we may never have allthe answers to why a specific
tragedy happens, we do haveassurance that God is not
indifferent.
He is Emmanuel God, with us.
Another common question is howdo I know the Bible is reliable?
That's a fair and importantquestion, especially when
(05:17):
culture constantly challengesits credibility.
But there's good news the Bibleis one of the most historically
reliable ancient documents wepossess.
Here's just a quick snapshotthe New Testament is supported
by more than 5,000 Greekmanuscripts, with some copies
dating just a few decades afterthe original texts were written.
That's significantly more thanany other ancient work in
existence.
Archaeological discoveriescontinue to affirm details in
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scripture, from the existence ofancient cities to the reigns of
kings and emperors.
The Bible's internal consistency, written over 1, 1500 years by
more than 40 authors on threecontinents, speaks to a
remarkable coherence of messageand purpose.
Yes, the Bible requires faith,but not blind faith.
It invites us to investigate,to explore and to let it shape
our hearts and minds.
You might also wonder aren'tthere contradictions in the
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Bible?
The answer is it depends onwhat you mean.
There are certainly apparentcontradiction stories told from
different perspectives, numbersthat don't always match up,
details that requireinterpretation, but these aren't
new discoveries.
Scholars, both ancient andmodern, have wrestled with them
honestly.
In most cases, thesecontradictions can be understood
through context who is speaking?
What is the literary genre,cultural background, what was
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the norm in that time and place?
Translation and interpretation.
How was this phrase understoodin the original Hebrew or Greek?
When we do the work, many of thecontradictions dissolve under
deeper understanding and wheremystery remains, we trust the
character of God, the guidanceof the Holy Spirit and the unity
of Scripture's message.
So how do we reconcile ourintellectual doubts with our
emotional and spiritualconvictions?
We stop seeing them as enemiesand start viewing them as
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partners.
Think of your heart and yourmind like two pedals on a
bicycle.
You won't get very far ifyou're only pressing one.
Real faith involves both a deeplove for God and a curious mind
that seeks understanding.
In Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 7, it says the beginning of
wisdom is this get wisdom, andwhatever you get, get insight.
God calls us to pursue wisdom,not avoid it, to engage with
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tough questions, not run fromthem.
And here's the beautiful partas we pursue wisdom with
humility, god meets us there.
He's not playing hide and seek,he's a God who reveals himself.
If you're someone who loves tothink deeply, who questions, who
analyzes, who wants to believe,but just can't silence your
inner skeptic.
You're in good company.
Many of the church's greatesttheologians, apologists and
thinkers walked the same path.
Their faith was not a flightfrom reason.
(07:27):
It was the result of wrestlinghonestly with reality.
So don't hide your questions,don't be ashamed of your
intellectual doubts.
Bring them into community,bring them into scripture, bring
them into prayer, as James,chapter 1, verse 5, says.
If any of you lacks wisdom, lethim ask God, who gives
generously to all withoutreproach, and it will be given
him he.
Let's talk about somethingthat's both uncomfortable and
(07:49):
oddly beautiful mystery.
We live in a world that cravescertainty.
We want facts, answers, clarity, preferably in under 30 seconds
.
We've got Google in our pockets, endless data at our fingertips
and we're used to gettingsolutions fast.
So it's no surprise that whenit comes to our faith, we expect
(08:12):
the same kind of clear,buttoned-up responses.
But here's the truth Faith wasnever designed to give us every
answer.
In fact, the Bible makes itclear that mystery is not just
part of the journey, it's a gift.
Let's be honest, that's hard toaccept, especially for those of
us who find peace in logic andresolution.
But what if mystery isn'tsomething to fear or fight
(08:32):
against.
What if it's something thatinvites us to trust?
In Isaiah, chapter 55, verses 8and 9, god says For my thoughts
are not your thoughts, neitherare your ways my ways, declares
the Lord.
For as the heavens are higherthan the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways and mythoughts than your thoughts.
This is one of the mosthumbling verses in all of
scripture.
It reminds us that God isinfinite and we are not.
Our perspective is limited.
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We see in part, we understandin fragments.
This doesn't mean God is hidingfrom us.
It means there are realitiesabout his nature, his timing and
his purposes that we may neverfully grasp in this lifetime.
And that's okay.
There's something beautifulabout trusting a God who's
bigger than our comprehension.
If we could explain everydetail of how God works,
wouldn't that make him a littlesmall?
Mystery keeps us humble.
(09:13):
It reminds us that we'recreatures, not the creator.
Even the Apostle Paul, arguablythe greatest theological mind in
the New Testament, embracedmystery In 1 Corinthians,
chapter 13, verse 12 12 hewrites For now we see in a
mirror, dimly, but then face toface.
Now I know in part, then Ishall know fully, even as I have
been fully known.
Paul doesn't pretend to knoweverything.
He acknowledges that right nowwe see through a foggy window.
(09:35):
The picture is incomplete, butthat doesn't lead him to despair
.
It points him to hope, andthat's a key truth.
Mystery isn't the end of faith.
It's the beginning of deepertrust.
Have, and that's a key truth,mystery isn't the end of faith,
it's the beginning of deepertrust.
Have you noticed how often Jesusresponds to questions with more
questions?
All throughout the Gospels,people come to Jesus hoping for
a straight answer and oftenJesus turns it around.
He asks them to reflect.
He gives parables instead ofpoint-by-point instructions.
(09:56):
He challenges motives insteadof handing out pre-packaged
clarity.
In John, chapter 6, after Jesusteaches about being the bread of
life, many of his followers areconfused, even offended.
They say this is a hard saying.
Who can listen to it?
Verse 60,.
And instead of explaining everydetail, jesus simply asks do
you take offense at this?
And then lets many of them walkaway.
He didn't run after them toclarify.
(10:17):
He let the mystery sit.
Why?
Because he knew that faithisn't just built on answers.
It's built on trust in the onewho is truth.
Sometimes Jesus gives clarity,other times he invites people to
follow him despite not knowingevery answer.
That's not because he's tryingto be difficult.
It's because he knows that truerelationship requires trust,
not just understanding.
When Jesus was preparing toleave his disciples, he promised
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them something remarkable InJohn, chapter 16, verse 13.
He said when the spirit oftruth comes, he will guide you
into all the truth.
Notice that he will guide you,not dump everything on you at
once, not hand you a fullblueprint.
The Holy Spirit walks with usand reveals truth over time, as
we're ready to receive it.
And here's the beautiful thingthe Spirit isn't just our
teacher, he's our comforter.
So when we're in seasons ofconfusion, the Spirit doesn't
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just give us facts, he gives uspeace.
In Philippians, chapter 4,verse 7, paul says and the peace
of God, which surpasses allunderstanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in ChristJesus.
Read that again Peace thatsurpasses understanding.
That means there will be timeswhen understanding doesn't come,
but peace still can.
That's the kind of peace onlythe Spirit can give.
There are certain questions wemay carry for the rest of our
(11:22):
lives.
Why did my loved one die soyoung?
Why does evil seem to prosperwhile good people suffer?
Why does God feel silent when Ineed Him most.
These are real questions, gutlevel, soul, deep questions.
And while scripture offerswisdom, there are moments when
it doesn't offer fullexplanations.
Instead, it offers presence, itoffers promise.
In Deuteronomy, chapter 29,verse 29, we're told the secret.
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Things belong to the Lord, ourGod, but the things that are
revealed belong to us and to ourchildren forever.
There it is the tension betweenmystery and revelation.
Some things God has made plain,others he has chosen to keep
hidden, and both are okay.
Our faith grows not onlythrough what we know, but also
through what we choose to trust,even when we don't know.
Think about your closest humanrelationships.
Do you know every thought inyour friend's head?
Do you understand every nuanceof your spouse's heart?
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No, and yet that doesn't stopyou from loving them.
In fact, part of what makesrelationships meaningful is that
there's always more to learn.
The same is true with God.
We'll never exhaust who he is,and that's good news.
Mystery invites wonder, itsparks awe.
It reminds us that God is notjust a subject to study.
He's a person to worship.
In Romans, chapter 11, verses33 through 36, paul bursts into
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praise.
Oh, the depth of the riches andwisdom and knowledge of God.
How unsearchable are hisjudgments and how inscrutable
his ways.
For who has known the mind ofthe Lord or who has been his
counselor.
To him be glory forever, amen.
(12:59):
What did he do?
He sent his son.
What is our hope?
Eternal life through Christ.
These truths don't eliminateevery mystery, but they give us
a solid place to stand.
Let questions drive you towardGod, not away from him.
Doubt doesn't have to lead todistance.
It can lead to deeper pursuit.
Ask, seek, knock.
God isn't intimidated by yourquestions.
He welcomes them.
Practice trust, even when it'shard.
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Faith is often described as awalk.
That means it's step by step.
You don't need to see the wholepath, just the next step.
And when you take that step intrust, god meets you there.
Surround yourself with fellowseekers.
Find people who don't shy awayfrom hard questions.
Be part of a community thatvalues curiosity, honesty and
scripture-centered exploration.
Stay in the word, even when itfeels foggy.
Keep showing up, even when theanswers don't come right away.
The word is living and active.
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Sometimes it speaks when youleast expect it.
One of the greatest comforts ofthe Christian faith is that we
don't walk this road alone.
Not only do we have the HolySpirit, but we also walk in the
footsteps of saints who havegone before us.
Abraham was called the father offaith, yet he questioned God's
promise.
David was a man after God's ownheart, yet he cried out in
despair.
Job was described as blameless,yet he demanded answers from
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heaven.
Mary, the mother of Jesus,asked how will this be?
When she received the angel'smessage?
Thomas needed to touch thewounds of Jesus before he
believed.
Paul, who wrote half the NewTestament, said in 2 Corinthians
, chapter 4, verse 8, we areperplexed, but not driven to
despair.
Perplexed but still holding on.
That's the life of faith.
If you find yourself in aseason where answers are hard to
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come by, don't panic.
Don't feel like you're failing.
Mystery doesn't mean God isabsent.
It may mean he's inviting youdeeper.
Let mystery lead you to worship.
Let your questions keep younear His heart.
One day, as 1 John 3, verse 2promises, we shall see Him as he
is.
Until then, we walk by faith,we trust what we know, we hold
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space for what we don't, and werest in the arms of a God who is
bigger than our understandingand closer than our very breath.
At first glance, doubt mightseem like the opposite of
spiritual growth.
After all, should immaturebelievers have everything
figured out?
Shouldn't spiritual strengthlook like unwavering confidence,
perfect trust and flawlessunderstanding?
Well, not exactly In reality.
Spiritual maturity doesn't meanhaving no doubts.
It means knowing what to dowith them.
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It means choosing to stay inthe conversation with God, even
when the answers come slowly.
It means pressing in, notchecking out, and often those
who grow the deepest roots offaith are the ones who've
weathered the fiercest storms ofuncertainty.
Let's take a closer look at howdoubt, when handled well, can
actually deepen your walk withChrist instead of derailing it.
The Bible is filled with storiesof people who grew stronger
through seasons of wrestling,not in spite of their doubt, but
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because of it.
Take Moses, for example.
When God called him to leadIsrael out of Egypt in Exodus,
chapter 3, moses didn't leap upand say sounds great, lord,
let's do it.
No, he doubted himself and hequestioned God's plan.
In Exodus, chapter 4, verse 1,moses asks what if they do not
believe me or listen to me?
He goes on to argue with God,express his fears and basically
say please send someone else.
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And yet Moses is laterdescribed in Numbers, chapter 12
, verse 3, as very meek, morethan all people who are on the
face of the earth.
His journey from doubt toobedience was messy, but it
produced a humility and intimacywith God that defined his
legacy.
Or consider Gideon in Judges,chapter 6.
When the angel of the Lordcalls him a mighty man of valor,
gideon is confused.
He says in verse 13, if theLord is with us, why then has
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all this happened to us?
That's a question we've allasked in some form, isn't it?
Yet God meets Gideon in hisquestions, reassures him and
uses him powerfully.
Again and again, scripturereveals a powerful pattern
Honest doubt combined withsteady faith leads to deeper
transformation.
We often think spiritualmaturity means becoming more
self-sufficient, like we shouldeventually need less help from
God, but in reality the oppositeis true.
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As we grow in our faith, webegin to see just how much we
constantly rely on the guidanceand strength of the Holy Spirit.
In 2 Corinthians 12, verse 9,the Lord tells Paul my grace is
sufficient for you, for my poweris made perfect in weakness.
Paul responds.
Therefore, I will boast all themore gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ mayrest upon me.
That's spiritual maturity notpretending we're strong, but
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letting God's strength shinethrough our weakness when doubt
makes us feel weak.
It also creates space for God'sgrace to move.
It softens our pride, remindsus we're not in control and
pulls us closer to the one whois.
You've probably noticed thatpeople who ask good questions
are often the ones who learn themost.
That's just as true in faith asit is in science or art or
business.
Doubt, when handled withcuriosity instead of cynicism,
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can become a launch pad forgrowth.
Think about it most majortheological breakthroughs in
church history happened becausesomeone had a question.
The early church wrestled withthe nature of Christ, fully God
and fully man, and clarifieddoctrine through prayerful study
and debate.
The Protestant Reformationstarted because Martin Luther
asked why are we teaching peoplethey can buy forgiveness?
The explosion of modernapologetics came from believers
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saying let's answer the hardquestions people are asking.
Today.
None of that would havehappened if everyone just nodded
and stayed quiet.
Growth starts with curiosity,and curiosity starts with a
willingness to say I don't know,but I want to understand.
As Proverbs 2, verse 3-5 says,god invites the seeker, he
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honors the question asker.
Here's another powerful truth.
Doubt can actually help usrefine our theology, our
understanding of who God is andhow he works.
Sometimes we pick up beliefsthat aren't really biblical.
They're just cultural,emotional or passed down through
tradition.
And when life crashes intothose shallow or shaky beliefs
we start to doubt, not becauseGod has failed, but because what
we believed about God needscorrection.
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For example, if you've beentaught that following Jesus
means you'll always be happy andhealthy, then suffering can
create a crisis of faith.
But scripture never promises apain-free life.
What it promises is God'spresence in the pain.
In John, chapter 16, verse 33,jesus says in the world you will
have tribulation, but takeheart, I have overcome the world
.
That's not denial, that's hopein the middle of reality.
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When our beliefs are challenged, we're forced to ask Is this
really what the Bible teaches?
Is this really who God says heis?
And if we're willing to study,pray and seek wise counsel, we
often come away with a faiththat's not just more accurate,
it's more anchored.
Here's a big marker of spiritualmaturity the ability to live in
tension.
Life isn't black and white.
Faith doesn't come with ananswer key.
There are paradoxes andmysteries we'll never fully
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solve, and spiritual babiescan't handle that.
They want neat boxes and easyformulas.
But mature believers they canhold joy and grief at the same
time they can worship throughtears, they can say I don't
understand, but I still trust,as Habakkuk shows us in chapter
3, verses 17 through 19.
Though the fig tree should notblossom, nor fruit be on the
vines, yet I will rejoice in theLord.
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I will take joy in the God ofmy salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength.
That's deep, rugged faith,that's maturity, and often it's
born in the soil of hardquestions.
Another sign of growth is theability to walk with others who
are doubting, without freakingout or offering quick fixes.
If your faith has weatheredstorms, you're in a beautiful
position to comfort those whoare questioning, not with
cliches, not with pat answers,but with presence, as 2
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Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 3and 4, reminds us.
Blessed be the God of allcomfort who comforts us in all
our affliction, so that we maybe able to comfort those who are
in any affliction.
When someone comes to you andsays I'm not sure if I believe
anymore, don't panic, don'tstart preaching, listen, ask
questions, share your journeyand point them back to Christ,
not as a concept, but as aperson who meets us in our
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weakness.
That kind of empathy is onlypossible when you've walked
through doubt yourself and comeout with a deeper dependence on
God.
Mature faith isn't built onvibes or emotions.
It's built on the Word of God,and doubt can actually drive us
deeper into Scripture if we letit.
Instead of turning to YouTubevideos or comment sections as
our primary source of truth, wecan return again and again to
the Bible, not just reading it,but studying it, meditating on
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it, asking what does thisactually say?
What does this mean in context?
Psalm, chapter 1, verses 2 and3, describes the righteous
person this way His delight isin the law of the Lord and on
his law he meditates day andnight.
He is like a tree planted bystreams of water that yields its
fruit in its season and itsleaf does not wither.
When you let doubt push youtoward deeper study, you begin
to grow roots that can withstanddrought.
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You start to bear fruit, notjust for yourself, but for
others.
Let's close this section withone more important reminder your
questions don't make you asecond-class Christian.
If anything, they mean, yourfaith is alive and growing.
Think about the man in Mark,chapter 9, verse 24, who cried
out to Jesus, I believe, help myunbelief.
Jesus didn't scold him.
He responded with compassionand healing.
That's the heart of Jesus.
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That's the heart of maturity.
Not pretending to have all theanswers, but continuing to come
to Christ with open hands,saying I'm still learning, I'm
still seeking and I still trustyou.
So far we've explored how doubtis more common and more
biblically present than we oftenadmit.
We've seen how doubt cansharpen our faith, deepen our
understanding, refine ourtheology and grow our spiritual
maturity.
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But now we turn to what may bethe most important question of
all when do we go from here?
Because even if we understandthat doubt isn't a sin, even if
we embrace it as part of ourgrowth, even if we've walked
with it through seasons oftransformation, there still
comes a point when we need ananchor, a place to rest, a
foundation that holds.
And scripture gives us one nameover and over again for that
foundation Jesus Christ.
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When all else feels uncertain,when doctrine gets complicated,
when, jesus Christ, when allelse feels uncertain, when
doctrine gets complicated, whenemotions fluctuate, when leaders
disappoint, when life takesturns, we never expect that
Jesus remains.
In Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 8,we read Jesus Christ is the
same yesterday and today andforever.
That one sentence packs anentire theology of stability.
It reminds us that our hope isnot in our ability to figure
(22:15):
everything out.
It's in the one who neverchanges.
We might be full of questions,doubts or even fears, but Jesus,
he's not pacing heavennervously.
He's seated, sovereign, secure.
In Colossians, chapter 1,verses 16 and 17, paul writes
For by him all things werecreated and in him all things
hold together.
Read that again In him, allthings hold together.
That includes your faith, evenwhen it feels like it's falling
(22:38):
apart.
That includes your faith, evenwhen it feels like it's falling
apart.
That includes your life, evenwhen it feels like the pieces
don't fit.
That includes your story, evenwhen the plot twists leave you
confused.
When doubt shakes us, we needsomething.
We can point to, somethingconcrete, historical and deeply
personal.
And for the Christian, thatsomething is always the cross.
In Romans, chapter 5, verse 8,we're reminded but God shows his
love for us in that, while wewere still sinners, christ died
(22:59):
for us.
That's not theory, that'sreality.
The cross is where love becametangible, where grace took on
flesh, where hope stretched outits arms and said this is how
far I'll go to bring you back.
And when your doubts scream,does God really love me, or is
all of this even true?
You can look to the cross andsay yes, yes, it is.
Because if the cross is true,if Jesus really did live, die
(23:20):
and rise again, then no amountof intellectual fog or emotional
turmoil can erase that fact.
As Timothy Keller has often said, if Jesus rose from the dead,
then you have to accept all thathe said.
If he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about anything
he said?
It all comes back to thatmoment in history, and the good
news is the resurrection hasstood up to centuries of
scrutiny and still stands.
Let's revisit a powerful truthfrom earlier Jesus gets it.
(23:43):
He doesn't just tolerate ourquestions, he understands them,
not from a distance, but upclose.
He walked in our shoes, feltour fears, carried our grief,
faced abandonment, betrayal,suffering and death.
In Hebrews, chapter 4, verses15 and 16, we read For we do not
have a high priest who isunable to sympathize with our
weaknesses.
Let us, then, with confidence,draw near to the throne of grace
(24:03):
, that we may receive mercy andfind grace to help in time of
need.
If doubt has left you feelingunworthy or disqualified, hear
this the throne of grace isstill open to you.
Jesus is not rolling his eyesat your questions.
He's inviting you closer.
When Thomas doubted, jesusdidn't scold him.
He showed him his scars andhe's Through community.
He reveals himself gently andfaithfully.
(24:25):
Maybe you're thinking, but Ifeel like I can barely hang on
right now.
Good news you're not the onlyone holding on.
In John, chapter 10, verse 28,.
Jesus says of his followers Igive them eternal life and they
will never perish, and no onewill snatch them out of my hand.
Even when your grip feels weak,his isn't.
Even when your faith flickers,his love blazes strong.
Remember the words of 2 Timothy2, verse 13.
(24:46):
If we are faithless, he remainsfaithful, for he cannot deny
himself.
Faith isn't a performance, it'sa posture, and sometimes the
most honest posture is simplysaying Lord, I'm still here.
I don't have it all figured out, but I want you.
And he always, always respondsto that prayer.
You may be surprised to hearthis, but the church, the global
body of Christ, needs doubters,not to water down the truth,
(25:07):
but to sharpen it, to bringdepth, to challenge assumptions,
to make the community richer,wiser and more compassionate.
People who ask hard questionsare often the ones who help
refine the answers.
People who wrestle withscripture are often the ones who
end up treasuring it the most.
If you're in a season of doubt,don't disqualify yourself.
You might be exactly who yourchurch community needs right now
.
You bring honesty, you bringhunger, you bring a willingness
(25:29):
to grow.
That's beautiful and valuableand holy.
Let's return to Thomas one lasttime.
In John chapter 20, when Jesusappears and shows Thomas his
wounds, thomas doesn't just nodand say, okay, I get it now.
No, he falls to his knees andsays, my Lord and my God verse
28.
That's what happens when doubtturns into encounter.
Not just information buttransformation, not just answers
(25:51):
but adoration.
Jesus doesn't want to justsatisfy your curiosity.
He wants to win your heart.
And that shift from doubt toworship isn't a one-time event.
It's a rhythm, a journey, adaily choosing to say I don't
have to understand everything totrust the one who holds
everything.
If you're listening to this andyou're knee deep in questions,
wondering if there's still aplace for you in the Christian
life, hear this there is roomfor you, there is grace for you,
(26:12):
there is hope for you, there istruth for you and there is a
Savior who sees you, knows youand isn't afraid of your doubts.
As you continue to explore, ask, wrestle and reflect, hold on
to these promises.
James, chapter 4, verse 8, drawnear to God and he will draw
near to you.
Psalm, chapter 34, verse 18,the Lord is near to the
brokenhearted and saves thecrushed in spirit.
Philippians, chapter 1, verse 6, he who began a good work in
(26:36):
you will bring it to completionat the day of Jesus Christ.
That means your story isn'tfinished, not by a long shot.
If God started something inyour faith curiosity, longing,
he's going to see it through.
So don't give up.
In Revelation, chapter 3, verse20, jesus says Behold, I stand
at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice andopens the door, I will come into
him and eat with him and hewith me.
That verse isn't just forpeople who've never met Jesus.
(26:59):
It's for anyone who needs toreopen the door, especially in
seasons of doubt.
So if your heart feels closedtoday, if your faith feels tired
or tangled, if your soul isasking more questions than it's
answering, just open the door.
Let him in Again, or maybe forthe first time, because at the
end of the day, faith isn'tabout having a flawless
spiritual record.
It's about knowing the one whoknocks and trusting that his
(27:19):
voice is always calling us home.
Well, friends, here we are atthe end of today's journey, a
journey through doubt, discoveryand deeper faith.
If you've stuck with me all theway, I just want to say thank
you.
Seriously, it takes courage tolisten to an entire episode
about doubt and faith,especially if your soul is
sitting in that tension rightnow, whether you're standing
strong in your beliefs,questioning everything or
somewhere in between.
I'm so glad you're here.
(27:40):
You've heard me say it severaltimes, but it bears repeating
Doubt is not a sign of failure.
It's often a doorway to growth.
You're not disqualified becauseyou've got questions.
In fact, your willingness tokeep asking, seeking and showing
up, that's faith in action.
And that leads me to this.
If today's conversation stirredsomething in your heart, if you
felt a tug toward Jesus, maybefor the first time, or maybe
back toward him after a seasonof distance, I want to extend an
(28:01):
invitation.
Jesus is knocking.
He's not waiting for you to getit all together.
He's not demanding that youhave perfect theology.
He's not asking for flawlessfaith.
He's offering Himself.
So if your heart is open rightnow, would you pray with me?
Heavenly Father, I come to youwith all my questions, all my
fears and all my doubts, buteven more.
I come with a heart that wantsto know you.
I believe that Jesus died formy sins and rose again to give
(28:23):
me life.
Right now, I place my trust inHim as my Lord and Savior.
I ask you to forgive me, tolead me and to walk with me
every step of the way, even whenI don't have all the answers.
Help me to trust the one whodoes.
Thank you for loving me just asI am, in Jesus' name.
Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer,welcome, or welcome back to the
family of faith.
Truly, this is the start of arelationship that will transform
(28:44):
every part of your life, bit bybit, day by day.
I want to encourage you to getconnected to a local Bible
teaching church, dive into thescriptures for yourself and
surround yourself with acommunity that embraces both
truth and grace.
And if you're someone whodidn't pray that prayer today,
but you're still asking andseeking, keep going.
Don't give up.
Keep bringing those questionsto God, keep showing up in the
hard places.
I believe he's already closerthan you realize.
(29:06):
If you're feeling overwhelmed,stuck or even hopeless, please
don't isolate yourself.
Whether your struggle isspiritual, emotional or mental,
you are not alone and there ishelp available.
If you're in the United Statesand you're experiencing a mental
health crisis or thoughts ofsuicide, please call or text the
988-SUICIDE-AND-CRISIS lifeline.
Someone is always there 24-7 tolisten and help.
It's free.
(29:51):
Thank you, dot org.
We'd love to hear from you,pray with you and walk alongside
you in your faith journey.
Remember, the Christian life isnot about having a flawless
faith record.
It's about staying connected tothe one who is always faithful.
It's about running your race,even if you stumble sometimes.
It's about knowing that Jesusmeets you, not at the finish
line, but right where you aredoubts and all.
He is your anchor, your guide,your redeemer, your friend.
So, wherever you are today,whether you're confident,
confused, curious or justclinging to hope, know this you
are seen, you are loved, you arenot alone.
(30:12):
Thank you again for joining mehere on the compass chronicles.
I'm javier and I can't wait tomeet you again on the next
episode, where we keep exploringthe intersection of faith,
fandom and real life application, with open hearts and honest
minds.
Until then, keep the compasssteady, keep walking and
remember, even in the doubt, godis still leading.
God bless you and take care.
Thank you.
Hello and welcome back to the Compass Chronicles,
where faith, fandom and reallife meet in meaningful
conversation.
I'm Javier, your host andfellow traveler on this winding
road of faith.
Whether you're tuning in fromyour car, your kitchen or your
favorite reading spot, I'm gladyou're here.
We're in the second half of atwo-part journey exploring doubt
specifically.
Is doubt a sin?
In part one, we dug into whatscripture says about doubt,
(00:20):
looked at heroes of the faithwho wrestle with it and tackled
the tough reality of doubt thatcomes from pain or church hurt.
If you missed it, go back andgive it a listen.
It sets the stage for wherewe're headed today.
In this episode, we're pickingup with the intellectual side of
doubt, those moments when ourhead and heart seem to clash.
We'll explore the gift ofmystery, how doubt can deepen
our spiritual maturity and wherewe can anchor our faith when
questions linger.
(00:40):
Let's dive in, but first let'spray together.
Heavenly Father, thank you formeeting us in our questions and
our seeking as we continue thisconversation about doubt, open
our hearts to your truth, guideour minds with your wisdom and
draw us closer to your Son.
In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.
Have you ever felt like yourmind was pulling you one way
while your heart was tugging youin another.
Like you, believe in God, butyour questions about science,
(01:02):
suffering or scripture leave youscratching your head.
If that sounds familiar, you'renot alone and you're definitely
not broken.
One of the most common sourcesof doubt is this inner tension
between what we feel to be truein our hearts and what we're
struggling to make sense of inour minds.
It's the classic head versusheart dilemma and unfortunately,
a lot of well-meaningChristians have been told to
just turn off their brain andhave faith.
But real, sustainable faithdoesn't ask us to check our
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logic at the door.
Instead, it invites us to bringour questions into the presence
of God and wrestle honestly.
Let's begin with what Jesushimself said in Matthew, chapter
22, verse 37.
You shall love the Lord, yourGod, with all your heart and
with all your soul and with allyour mind.
That last part, with all yourmind, isn't a throwaway phrase.
It's a directive.
God doesn't just want yourworship when the music's playing
(01:46):
.
He wants your intellect engaged, your curiosity sparked, your
questions welcomed.
He's not threatened by science,history or philosophy.
After all, he created all of it.
In fact, the more we study theintricacies of creation, the
order of the cosmos, the depthof biological systems, the
beauty of mathematics, the morewe see the fingerprints of a
divine creator.
Logic and faith are not enemiesAt their best they work
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together.
Few thinkers have captured thisbalance better than CS Lewis.
Once a staunch atheist, lewisapproached Christianity with
deep skepticism.
He didn't want to believe justfor emotional comfort.
He wanted to know if it wastrue.
And over time, through study,friendship especially with
fellow author JRR Tolkien, anddeep reflection, lewis became
convinced that Christianity madethe most sense of the world.
In mere Christianity, he wrote.
(02:27):
I believe in Christianity as Ibelieve that the sun has risen,
not only because I see it, butbecause by it I see everything
else.
Lewis isn't saying that faithignores reason.
He's saying that faith givescontext to reason.
It's the light by whicheverything else comes into focus
.
Many believers, especially thoseraised in the church, are
handed a simplified version offaith.
And while simple faith can bebeautiful, it can also leave us
(02:48):
unprepared when we encounterreal-life complexity.
What happens when the Sundayschool answers don't hold up
under pressure?
That's where doubt often entersthe scene, not as a rejection
of God, but as a desire to godeeper, and that's a good thing.
Timothy Keller, in the Reasonfor God, writes this A faith
without some doubts is like ahuman body without any
antibodies in it.
People who go through life toobusy or indifferent to ask hard
(03:12):
questions about why they believeas they do will find themselves
defenseless against either theexperience of tragedy or the
probing questions of a smartskeptic.
Keller makes a powerful pointWrestling with doubt is part of
building a resilient faith.
It's how we develop spiritualantibodies.
So what do you do when thedoubts aren't emotional but
intellectual, when you'restruggling to make sense of
complex questions that don'tseem to have easy answers?
Let's walk through a few of themost common intellectual
(03:32):
sticking points and explore howChristians throughout history
have responded.
One of the most common doubtssounds like this if I believe in
God, do I have to rejectscience?
The short answer absolutely not.
Some of the greatest scientificminds in history were devout
Christians, people like IsaacNewton, johannes Kepler, blaise
Pascal and Gregor Mendel, thefather of modern genetics.
They didn't see a conflictbetween science and faith.
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They saw science as a way tounderstand the mind of God.
Modern scientists like FrancisCollins, the former head of the
Human Genome Project, havecontinued this tradition.
Collins is both a world-classgeneticist and a passionate
Christian.
In his book the Language of God, he writes the God of the Bible
is also the God of the genome.
He can be worshipped in thecathedral or in the laboratory.
Faith and science answerdifferent kinds of questions.
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Science explains the mechanics,the how.
Faith explores meaning, the why.
They're not at war, they're inconversation.
This is the intellectual andemotional question that hits
home for almost everyone at somepoint.
If God is all-loving andall-powerful, why do terrible
things happen?
This is a huge question, onethat books, sermons and entire
doctoral theses have tried toanswer.
But let's touch on a few keypoints.
(04:34):
First, the Bible never shiesaway from the reality of
suffering.
From Genesis to Revelation, wesee a world groaning under the
weight of sin, injustice andpain.
The presence of suffering isn'ta surprise to the Christian
worldview.
It's central to the story.
Second, we have to recognizethat Christianity offers
something unique a God whosuffers with us.
In Isaiah, chapter 53, theMessiah is described as a man of
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sorrows acquainted with grief.
In the Gospels, jesus weeps,bleeds and dies.
The cross is not God avoidingsuffering, it's God entering
into it.
So while we may never have allthe answers to why a specific
tragedy happens, we do haveassurance that God is not
indifferent.
He is Emmanuel God, with us.
Another common question is howdo I know the Bible is reliable?
That's a fair and importantquestion, especially when
(05:17):
culture constantly challengesits credibility.
But there's good news the Bibleis one of the most historically
reliable ancient documents wepossess.
Here's just a quick snapshotthe New Testament is supported
by more than 5,000 Greekmanuscripts, with some copies
dating just a few decades afterthe original texts were written.
That's significantly more thanany other ancient work in
existence.
Archaeological discoveriescontinue to affirm details in
(05:39):
scripture, from the existence ofancient cities to the reigns of
kings and emperors.
The Bible's internal consistency, written over 1, 1500 years by
more than 40 authors on threecontinents, speaks to a
remarkable coherence of messageand purpose.
Yes, the Bible requires faith,but not blind faith.
It invites us to investigate,to explore and to let it shape
our hearts and minds.
You might also wonder aren'tthere contradictions in the
(06:00):
Bible?
The answer is it depends onwhat you mean.
There are certainly apparentcontradiction stories told from
different perspectives, numbersthat don't always match up,
details that requireinterpretation, but these aren't
new discoveries.
Scholars, both ancient andmodern, have wrestled with them
honestly.
In most cases, thesecontradictions can be understood
through context who is speaking?
What is the literary genre,cultural background, what was
(06:23):
the norm in that time and place?
Translation and interpretation.
How was this phrase understoodin the original Hebrew or Greek?
When we do the work, many of thecontradictions dissolve under
deeper understanding and wheremystery remains, we trust the
character of God, the guidanceof the Holy Spirit and the unity
of Scripture's message.
So how do we reconcile ourintellectual doubts with our
emotional and spiritualconvictions?
We stop seeing them as enemiesand start viewing them as
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partners.
Think of your heart and yourmind like two pedals on a
bicycle.
You won't get very far ifyou're only pressing one.
Real faith involves both a deeplove for God and a curious mind
that seeks understanding.
In Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 7, it says the beginning of
wisdom is this get wisdom, andwhatever you get, get insight.
God calls us to pursue wisdom,not avoid it, to engage with
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tough questions, not run fromthem.
And here's the beautiful partas we pursue wisdom with
humility, god meets us there.
He's not playing hide and seek,he's a God who reveals himself.
If you're someone who loves tothink deeply, who questions, who
analyzes, who wants to believe,but just can't silence your
inner skeptic.
You're in good company.
Many of the church's greatesttheologians, apologists and
thinkers walked the same path.
Their faith was not a flightfrom reason.
(07:27):
It was the result of wrestlinghonestly with reality.
So don't hide your questions,don't be ashamed of your
intellectual doubts.
Bring them into community,bring them into scripture, bring
them into prayer, as James,chapter 1, verse 5, says.
If any of you lacks wisdom, lethim ask God, who gives
generously to all withoutreproach, and it will be given
him he.
Let's talk about somethingthat's both uncomfortable and
(07:49):
oddly beautiful mystery.
We live in a world that cravescertainty.
We want facts, answers, clarity, preferably in under 30 seconds
.
We've got Google in our pockets, endless data at our fingertips
and we're used to gettingsolutions fast.
So it's no surprise that whenit comes to our faith, we expect
(08:12):
the same kind of clear,buttoned-up responses.
But here's the truth Faith wasnever designed to give us every
answer.
In fact, the Bible makes itclear that mystery is not just
part of the journey, it's a gift.
Let's be honest, that's hard toaccept, especially for those of
us who find peace in logic andresolution.
But what if mystery isn'tsomething to fear or fight
(08:32):
against.
What if it's something thatinvites us to trust?
In Isaiah, chapter 55, verses 8and 9, god says For my thoughts
are not your thoughts, neitherare your ways my ways, declares
the Lord.
For as the heavens are higherthan the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways and mythoughts than your thoughts.
This is one of the mosthumbling verses in all of
scripture.
It reminds us that God isinfinite and we are not.
Our perspective is limited.
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We see in part, we understandin fragments.
This doesn't mean God is hidingfrom us.
It means there are realitiesabout his nature, his timing and
his purposes that we may neverfully grasp in this lifetime.
And that's okay.
There's something beautifulabout trusting a God who's
bigger than our comprehension.
If we could explain everydetail of how God works,
wouldn't that make him a littlesmall?
Mystery keeps us humble.
(09:13):
It reminds us that we'recreatures, not the creator.
Even the Apostle Paul, arguablythe greatest theological mind in
the New Testament, embracedmystery In 1 Corinthians,
chapter 13, verse 12 12 hewrites For now we see in a
mirror, dimly, but then face toface.
Now I know in part, then Ishall know fully, even as I have
been fully known.
Paul doesn't pretend to knoweverything.
He acknowledges that right nowwe see through a foggy window.
(09:35):
The picture is incomplete, butthat doesn't lead him to despair
.
It points him to hope, andthat's a key truth.
Mystery isn't the end of faith.
It's the beginning of deepertrust.
Have, and that's a key truth,mystery isn't the end of faith,
it's the beginning of deepertrust.
Have you noticed how often Jesusresponds to questions with more
questions?
All throughout the Gospels,people come to Jesus hoping for
a straight answer and oftenJesus turns it around.
He asks them to reflect.
He gives parables instead ofpoint-by-point instructions.
(09:56):
He challenges motives insteadof handing out pre-packaged
clarity.
In John, chapter 6, after Jesusteaches about being the bread of
life, many of his followers areconfused, even offended.
They say this is a hard saying.
Who can listen to it?
Verse 60,.
And instead of explaining everydetail, jesus simply asks do
you take offense at this?
And then lets many of them walkaway.
He didn't run after them toclarify.
(10:17):
He let the mystery sit.
Why?
Because he knew that faithisn't just built on answers.
It's built on trust in the onewho is truth.
Sometimes Jesus gives clarity,other times he invites people to
follow him despite not knowingevery answer.
That's not because he's tryingto be difficult.
It's because he knows that truerelationship requires trust,
not just understanding.
When Jesus was preparing toleave his disciples, he promised
(10:38):
them something remarkable InJohn, chapter 16, verse 13.
He said when the spirit oftruth comes, he will guide you
into all the truth.
Notice that he will guide you,not dump everything on you at
once, not hand you a fullblueprint.
The Holy Spirit walks with usand reveals truth over time, as
we're ready to receive it.
And here's the beautiful thingthe Spirit isn't just our
teacher, he's our comforter.
So when we're in seasons ofconfusion, the Spirit doesn't
(11:01):
just give us facts, he gives uspeace.
In Philippians, chapter 4,verse 7, paul says and the peace
of God, which surpasses allunderstanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in ChristJesus.
Read that again Peace thatsurpasses understanding.
That means there will be timeswhen understanding doesn't come,
but peace still can.
That's the kind of peace onlythe Spirit can give.
There are certain questions wemay carry for the rest of our
(11:22):
lives.
Why did my loved one die soyoung?
Why does evil seem to prosperwhile good people suffer?
Why does God feel silent when Ineed Him most.
These are real questions, gutlevel, soul, deep questions.
And while scripture offerswisdom, there are moments when
it doesn't offer fullexplanations.
Instead, it offers presence, itoffers promise.
In Deuteronomy, chapter 29,verse 29, we're told the secret.
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Things belong to the Lord, ourGod, but the things that are
revealed belong to us and to ourchildren forever.
There it is the tension betweenmystery and revelation.
Some things God has made plain,others he has chosen to keep
hidden, and both are okay.
Our faith grows not onlythrough what we know, but also
through what we choose to trust,even when we don't know.
Think about your closest humanrelationships.
Do you know every thought inyour friend's head?
Do you understand every nuanceof your spouse's heart?
(12:07):
No, and yet that doesn't stopyou from loving them.
In fact, part of what makesrelationships meaningful is that
there's always more to learn.
The same is true with God.
We'll never exhaust who he is,and that's good news.
Mystery invites wonder, itsparks awe.
It reminds us that God is notjust a subject to study.
He's a person to worship.
In Romans, chapter 11, verses33 through 36, paul bursts into
(12:28):
praise.
Oh, the depth of the riches andwisdom and knowledge of God.
How unsearchable are hisjudgments and how inscrutable
his ways.
For who has known the mind ofthe Lord or who has been his
counselor.
To him be glory forever, amen.
(12:59):
What did he do?
He sent his son.
What is our hope?
Eternal life through Christ.
These truths don't eliminateevery mystery, but they give us
a solid place to stand.
Let questions drive you towardGod, not away from him.
Doubt doesn't have to lead todistance.
It can lead to deeper pursuit.
Ask, seek, knock.
God isn't intimidated by yourquestions.
He welcomes them.
Practice trust, even when it'shard.
(13:22):
Faith is often described as awalk.
That means it's step by step.
You don't need to see the wholepath, just the next step.
And when you take that step intrust, god meets you there.
Surround yourself with fellowseekers.
Find people who don't shy awayfrom hard questions.
Be part of a community thatvalues curiosity, honesty and
scripture-centered exploration.
Stay in the word, even when itfeels foggy.
Keep showing up, even when theanswers don't come right away.
The word is living and active.
(13:43):
Sometimes it speaks when youleast expect it.
One of the greatest comforts ofthe Christian faith is that we
don't walk this road alone.
Not only do we have the HolySpirit, but we also walk in the
footsteps of saints who havegone before us.
Abraham was called the father offaith, yet he questioned God's
promise.
David was a man after God's ownheart, yet he cried out in
despair.
Job was described as blameless,yet he demanded answers from
(14:04):
heaven.
Mary, the mother of Jesus,asked how will this be?
When she received the angel'smessage?
Thomas needed to touch thewounds of Jesus before he
believed.
Paul, who wrote half the NewTestament, said in 2 Corinthians
, chapter 4, verse 8, we areperplexed, but not driven to
despair.
Perplexed but still holding on.
That's the life of faith.
If you find yourself in aseason where answers are hard to
(14:24):
come by, don't panic.
Don't feel like you're failing.
Mystery doesn't mean God isabsent.
It may mean he's inviting youdeeper.
Let mystery lead you to worship.
Let your questions keep younear His heart.
One day, as 1 John 3, verse 2promises, we shall see Him as he
is.
Until then, we walk by faith,we trust what we know, we hold
(14:45):
space for what we don't, and werest in the arms of a God who is
bigger than our understandingand closer than our very breath.
At first glance, doubt mightseem like the opposite of
spiritual growth.
After all, should immaturebelievers have everything
figured out?
Shouldn't spiritual strengthlook like unwavering confidence,
perfect trust and flawlessunderstanding?
Well, not exactly In reality.
Spiritual maturity doesn't meanhaving no doubts.
It means knowing what to dowith them.
(15:05):
It means choosing to stay inthe conversation with God, even
when the answers come slowly.
It means pressing in, notchecking out, and often those
who grow the deepest roots offaith are the ones who've
weathered the fiercest storms ofuncertainty.
Let's take a closer look at howdoubt, when handled well, can
actually deepen your walk withChrist instead of derailing it.
The Bible is filled with storiesof people who grew stronger
through seasons of wrestling,not in spite of their doubt, but
(15:27):
because of it.
Take Moses, for example.
When God called him to leadIsrael out of Egypt in Exodus,
chapter 3, moses didn't leap upand say sounds great, lord,
let's do it.
No, he doubted himself and hequestioned God's plan.
In Exodus, chapter 4, verse 1,moses asks what if they do not
believe me or listen to me?
He goes on to argue with God,express his fears and basically
say please send someone else.
(15:48):
And yet Moses is laterdescribed in Numbers, chapter 12
, verse 3, as very meek, morethan all people who are on the
face of the earth.
His journey from doubt toobedience was messy, but it
produced a humility and intimacywith God that defined his
legacy.
Or consider Gideon in Judges,chapter 6.
When the angel of the Lordcalls him a mighty man of valor,
gideon is confused.
He says in verse 13, if theLord is with us, why then has
(16:10):
all this happened to us?
That's a question we've allasked in some form, isn't it?
Yet God meets Gideon in hisquestions, reassures him and
uses him powerfully.
Again and again, scripturereveals a powerful pattern
Honest doubt combined withsteady faith leads to deeper
transformation.
We often think spiritualmaturity means becoming more
self-sufficient, like we shouldeventually need less help from
God, but in reality the oppositeis true.
(16:31):
As we grow in our faith, webegin to see just how much we
constantly rely on the guidanceand strength of the Holy Spirit.
In 2 Corinthians 12, verse 9,the Lord tells Paul my grace is
sufficient for you, for my poweris made perfect in weakness.
Paul responds.
Therefore, I will boast all themore gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ mayrest upon me.
That's spiritual maturity notpretending we're strong, but
(16:53):
letting God's strength shinethrough our weakness when doubt
makes us feel weak.
It also creates space for God'sgrace to move.
It softens our pride, remindsus we're not in control and
pulls us closer to the one whois.
You've probably noticed thatpeople who ask good questions
are often the ones who learn themost.
That's just as true in faith asit is in science or art or
business.
Doubt, when handled withcuriosity instead of cynicism,
(17:13):
can become a launch pad forgrowth.
Think about it most majortheological breakthroughs in
church history happened becausesomeone had a question.
The early church wrestled withthe nature of Christ, fully God
and fully man, and clarifieddoctrine through prayerful study
and debate.
The Protestant Reformationstarted because Martin Luther
asked why are we teaching peoplethey can buy forgiveness?
The explosion of modernapologetics came from believers
(17:34):
saying let's answer the hardquestions people are asking.
Today.
None of that would havehappened if everyone just nodded
and stayed quiet.
Growth starts with curiosity,and curiosity starts with a
willingness to say I don't know,but I want to understand.
As Proverbs 2, verse 3-5 says,god invites the seeker, he
(18:01):
honors the question asker.
Here's another powerful truth.
Doubt can actually help usrefine our theology, our
understanding of who God is andhow he works.
Sometimes we pick up beliefsthat aren't really biblical.
They're just cultural,emotional or passed down through
tradition.
And when life crashes intothose shallow or shaky beliefs
we start to doubt, not becauseGod has failed, but because what
we believed about God needscorrection.
(18:21):
For example, if you've beentaught that following Jesus
means you'll always be happy andhealthy, then suffering can
create a crisis of faith.
But scripture never promises apain-free life.
What it promises is God'spresence in the pain.
In John, chapter 16, verse 33,jesus says in the world you will
have tribulation, but takeheart, I have overcome the world
.
That's not denial, that's hopein the middle of reality.
(18:43):
When our beliefs are challenged, we're forced to ask Is this
really what the Bible teaches?
Is this really who God says heis?
And if we're willing to study,pray and seek wise counsel, we
often come away with a faiththat's not just more accurate,
it's more anchored.
Here's a big marker of spiritualmaturity the ability to live in
tension.
Life isn't black and white.
Faith doesn't come with ananswer key.
There are paradoxes andmysteries we'll never fully
(19:05):
solve, and spiritual babiescan't handle that.
They want neat boxes and easyformulas.
But mature believers they canhold joy and grief at the same
time they can worship throughtears, they can say I don't
understand, but I still trust,as Habakkuk shows us in chapter
3, verses 17 through 19.
Though the fig tree should notblossom, nor fruit be on the
vines, yet I will rejoice in theLord.
(19:26):
I will take joy in the God ofmy salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength.
That's deep, rugged faith,that's maturity, and often it's
born in the soil of hardquestions.
Another sign of growth is theability to walk with others who
are doubting, without freakingout or offering quick fixes.
If your faith has weatheredstorms, you're in a beautiful
position to comfort those whoare questioning, not with
cliches, not with pat answers,but with presence, as 2
(19:50):
Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 3and 4, reminds us.
Blessed be the God of allcomfort who comforts us in all
our affliction, so that we maybe able to comfort those who are
in any affliction.
When someone comes to you andsays I'm not sure if I believe
anymore, don't panic, don'tstart preaching, listen, ask
questions, share your journeyand point them back to Christ,
not as a concept, but as aperson who meets us in our
(20:11):
weakness.
That kind of empathy is onlypossible when you've walked
through doubt yourself and comeout with a deeper dependence on
God.
Mature faith isn't built onvibes or emotions.
It's built on the Word of God,and doubt can actually drive us
deeper into Scripture if we letit.
Instead of turning to YouTubevideos or comment sections as
our primary source of truth, wecan return again and again to
the Bible, not just reading it,but studying it, meditating on
(20:33):
it, asking what does thisactually say?
What does this mean in context?
Psalm, chapter 1, verses 2 and3, describes the righteous
person this way His delight isin the law of the Lord and on
his law he meditates day andnight.
He is like a tree planted bystreams of water that yields its
fruit in its season and itsleaf does not wither.
When you let doubt push youtoward deeper study, you begin
to grow roots that can withstanddrought.
(20:54):
You start to bear fruit, notjust for yourself, but for
others.
Let's close this section withone more important reminder your
questions don't make you asecond-class Christian.
If anything, they mean, yourfaith is alive and growing.
Think about the man in Mark,chapter 9, verse 24, who cried
out to Jesus, I believe, help myunbelief.
Jesus didn't scold him.
He responded with compassionand healing.
That's the heart of Jesus.
(21:14):
That's the heart of maturity.
Not pretending to have all theanswers, but continuing to come
to Christ with open hands,saying I'm still learning, I'm
still seeking and I still trustyou.
So far we've explored how doubtis more common and more
biblically present than we oftenadmit.
We've seen how doubt cansharpen our faith, deepen our
understanding, refine ourtheology and grow our spiritual
maturity.
(21:34):
But now we turn to what may bethe most important question of
all when do we go from here?
Because even if we understandthat doubt isn't a sin, even if
we embrace it as part of ourgrowth, even if we've walked
with it through seasons oftransformation, there still
comes a point when we need ananchor, a place to rest, a
foundation that holds.
And scripture gives us one nameover and over again for that
foundation Jesus Christ.
(21:55):
When all else feels uncertain,when doctrine gets complicated,
when, jesus Christ, when allelse feels uncertain, when
doctrine gets complicated, whenemotions fluctuate, when leaders
disappoint, when life takesturns, we never expect that
Jesus remains.
In Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 8,we read Jesus Christ is the
same yesterday and today andforever.
That one sentence packs anentire theology of stability.
It reminds us that our hope isnot in our ability to figure
(22:15):
everything out.
It's in the one who neverchanges.
We might be full of questions,doubts or even fears, but Jesus,
he's not pacing heavennervously.
He's seated, sovereign, secure.
In Colossians, chapter 1,verses 16 and 17, paul writes
For by him all things werecreated and in him all things
hold together.
Read that again In him, allthings hold together.
That includes your faith, evenwhen it feels like it's falling
(22:38):
apart.
That includes your faith, evenwhen it feels like it's falling
apart.
That includes your life, evenwhen it feels like the pieces
don't fit.
That includes your story, evenwhen the plot twists leave you
confused.
When doubt shakes us, we needsomething.
We can point to, somethingconcrete, historical and deeply
personal.
And for the Christian, thatsomething is always the cross.
In Romans, chapter 5, verse 8,we're reminded but God shows his
love for us in that, while wewere still sinners, christ died
(22:59):
for us.
That's not theory, that'sreality.
The cross is where love becametangible, where grace took on
flesh, where hope stretched outits arms and said this is how
far I'll go to bring you back.
And when your doubts scream,does God really love me, or is
all of this even true?
You can look to the cross andsay yes, yes, it is.
Because if the cross is true,if Jesus really did live, die
(23:20):
and rise again, then no amountof intellectual fog or emotional
turmoil can erase that fact.
As Timothy Keller has often said, if Jesus rose from the dead,
then you have to accept all thathe said.
If he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about anything
he said?
It all comes back to thatmoment in history, and the good
news is the resurrection hasstood up to centuries of
scrutiny and still stands.
Let's revisit a powerful truthfrom earlier Jesus gets it.
(23:43):
He doesn't just tolerate ourquestions, he understands them,
not from a distance, but upclose.
He walked in our shoes, feltour fears, carried our grief,
faced abandonment, betrayal,suffering and death.
In Hebrews, chapter 4, verses15 and 16, we read For we do not
have a high priest who isunable to sympathize with our
weaknesses.
Let us, then, with confidence,draw near to the throne of grace
(24:03):
, that we may receive mercy andfind grace to help in time of
need.
If doubt has left you feelingunworthy or disqualified, hear
this the throne of grace isstill open to you.
Jesus is not rolling his eyesat your questions.
He's inviting you closer.
When Thomas doubted, jesusdidn't scold him.
He showed him his scars andhe's Through community.
He reveals himself gently andfaithfully.
(24:25):
Maybe you're thinking, but Ifeel like I can barely hang on
right now.
Good news you're not the onlyone holding on.
In John, chapter 10, verse 28,.
Jesus says of his followers Igive them eternal life and they
will never perish, and no onewill snatch them out of my hand.
Even when your grip feels weak,his isn't.
Even when your faith flickers,his love blazes strong.
Remember the words of 2 Timothy2, verse 13.
(24:46):
If we are faithless, he remainsfaithful, for he cannot deny
himself.
Faith isn't a performance, it'sa posture, and sometimes the
most honest posture is simplysaying Lord, I'm still here.
I don't have it all figured out, but I want you.
And he always, always respondsto that prayer.
You may be surprised to hearthis, but the church, the global
body of Christ, needs doubters,not to water down the truth,
(25:07):
but to sharpen it, to bringdepth, to challenge assumptions,
to make the community richer,wiser and more compassionate.
People who ask hard questionsare often the ones who help
refine the answers.
People who wrestle withscripture are often the ones who
end up treasuring it the most.
If you're in a season of doubt,don't disqualify yourself.
You might be exactly who yourchurch community needs right now
.
You bring honesty, you bringhunger, you bring a willingness
(25:29):
to grow.
That's beautiful and valuableand holy.
Let's return to Thomas one lasttime.
In John chapter 20, when Jesusappears and shows Thomas his
wounds, thomas doesn't just nodand say, okay, I get it now.
No, he falls to his knees andsays, my Lord and my God verse
28.
That's what happens when doubtturns into encounter.
Not just information buttransformation, not just answers
(25:51):
but adoration.
Jesus doesn't want to justsatisfy your curiosity.
He wants to win your heart.
And that shift from doubt toworship isn't a one-time event.
It's a rhythm, a journey, adaily choosing to say I don't
have to understand everything totrust the one who holds
everything.
If you're listening to this andyou're knee deep in questions,
wondering if there's still aplace for you in the Christian
life, hear this there is roomfor you, there is grace for you,
(26:12):
there is hope for you, there istruth for you and there is a
Savior who sees you, knows youand isn't afraid of your doubts.
As you continue to explore, ask, wrestle and reflect, hold on
to these promises.
James, chapter 4, verse 8, drawnear to God and he will draw
near to you.
Psalm, chapter 34, verse 18,the Lord is near to the
brokenhearted and saves thecrushed in spirit.
Philippians, chapter 1, verse 6, he who began a good work in
(26:36):
you will bring it to completionat the day of Jesus Christ.
That means your story isn'tfinished, not by a long shot.
If God started something inyour faith curiosity, longing,
he's going to see it through.
So don't give up.
In Revelation, chapter 3, verse20, jesus says Behold, I stand
at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice andopens the door, I will come into
him and eat with him and hewith me.
That verse isn't just forpeople who've never met Jesus.
(26:59):
It's for anyone who needs toreopen the door, especially in
seasons of doubt.
So if your heart feels closedtoday, if your faith feels tired
or tangled, if your soul isasking more questions than it's
answering, just open the door.
Let him in Again, or maybe forthe first time, because at the
end of the day, faith isn'tabout having a flawless
spiritual record.
It's about knowing the one whoknocks and trusting that his
(27:19):
voice is always calling us home.
Well, friends, here we are atthe end of today's journey, a
journey through doubt, discoveryand deeper faith.
If you've stuck with me all theway, I just want to say thank
you.
Seriously, it takes courage tolisten to an entire episode
about doubt and faith,especially if your soul is
sitting in that tension rightnow, whether you're standing
strong in your beliefs,questioning everything or
somewhere in between.
I'm so glad you're here.
(27:40):
You've heard me say it severaltimes, but it bears repeating
Doubt is not a sign of failure.
It's often a doorway to growth.
You're not disqualified becauseyou've got questions.
In fact, your willingness tokeep asking, seeking and showing
up, that's faith in action.
And that leads me to this.
If today's conversation stirredsomething in your heart, if you
felt a tug toward Jesus, maybefor the first time, or maybe
back toward him after a seasonof distance, I want to extend an
(28:01):
invitation.
Jesus is knocking.
He's not waiting for you to getit all together.
He's not demanding that youhave perfect theology.
He's not asking for flawlessfaith.
He's offering Himself.
So if your heart is open rightnow, would you pray with me?
Heavenly Father, I come to youwith all my questions, all my
fears and all my doubts, buteven more.
I come with a heart that wantsto know you.
I believe that Jesus died formy sins and rose again to give
(28:23):
me life.
Right now, I place my trust inHim as my Lord and Savior.
I ask you to forgive me, tolead me and to walk with me
every step of the way, even whenI don't have all the answers.
Help me to trust the one whodoes.
Thank you for loving me just asI am, in Jesus' name.
Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer,welcome, or welcome back to the
family of faith.
Truly, this is the start of arelationship that will transform
(28:44):
every part of your life, bit bybit, day by day.
I want to encourage you to getconnected to a local Bible
teaching church, dive into thescriptures for yourself and
surround yourself with acommunity that embraces both
truth and grace.
And if you're someone whodidn't pray that prayer today,
but you're still asking andseeking, keep going.
Don't give up.
Keep bringing those questionsto God, keep showing up in the
hard places.
I believe he's already closerthan you realize.
(29:06):
If you're feeling overwhelmed,stuck or even hopeless, please
don't isolate yourself.
Whether your struggle isspiritual, emotional or mental,
you are not alone and there ishelp available.
If you're in the United Statesand you're experiencing a mental
health crisis or thoughts ofsuicide, please call or text the
988-SUICIDE-AND-CRISIS lifeline.
Someone is always there 24-7 tolisten and help.
It's free.
(29:51):
Thank you, dot org.
We'd love to hear from you,pray with you and walk alongside
you in your faith journey.
Remember, the Christian life isnot about having a flawless
faith record.
It's about staying connected tothe one who is always faithful.
It's about running your race,even if you stumble sometimes.
It's about knowing that Jesusmeets you, not at the finish
line, but right where you aredoubts and all.
He is your anchor, your guide,your redeemer, your friend.
So, wherever you are today,whether you're confident,
confused, curious or justclinging to hope, know this you
are seen, you are loved, you arenot alone.
(30:12):
Thank you again for joining mehere on the compass chronicles.
I'm javier and I can't wait tomeet you again on the next
episode, where we keep exploringthe intersection of faith,
fandom and real life application, with open hearts and honest
minds.
Until then, keep the compasssteady, keep walking and
remember, even in the doubt, godis still leading.
God bless you and take care.
Thank you.
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