Have Mercy On Those Who Doubt –Part 2
From a Personal Perspective
By: Sheryl Upchurch
Do you doubt?? I do, every day. I lost my sister to cancer 5 years ago, my father has blood spots on his brain, he’s had 2 strokes and he now has dementia because of them, my Mother is diabetic because a gall stone blocked off her pancreas and killed it off, she has to pay over $500 every 3 months to get the insulin she needs to survive, my husband has been living with diabetes since he was born in 1967, he has also been fighting Lyme Disease for the past 2 1/2 years, some days he can’t function let alone walk. My husband and I live on my salary plus his disability social security from the effects of the Diabetes. I could go on, but I won’t. Why? Because I know there are people out there dealing with similar or much worse situations.
I ask God every day why he would let all these things happen. Why did you take my sister? She was only 46, she had so much life left to live. She wanted to see her kids graduate, get married and start families. Why are you letting my father and my husband suffer daily?? And so on. I never get any answers though.
There are also several things I am thankful for. My parents are still alive; I have another sister who is in my life, my husband & I have a healthy almost 20-year-old son. He has a good head on his shoulders, he has a wonderful girlfriend of 3 ½ years, he is a Commander in the Royal Rangers at his Church and he is studying to get his EMT license while working at the Ambulance Barn as a dispatcher. He drives me nuts most days but I am very proud to be his mother. I am able to work and provide for my family. I have a group of friends that love me unconditionally. They accept my downfalls and everything I am. And two of those friends, whom I consider part of my family, have never given up on me during my spiritual walk or lack thereof. There are several times they could have but they didn’t.
I have also seen some Miracles. A very dear friend of mine, who shouldn’t be alive, is alive! She finally received her miracle and had her surgery a couple years ago that saved her life. The Doctors said my father never should have survived the strokes he had last year, but he did! He not only survived them but he is still able to care for himself and go outside and do things. He doesn’t do as much or as fast as he used to but at least he can still get out there.
So, if you doubt, you are not alone. It doesn’t make you a non-Christian, it doesn’t mean you are wrong and it doesn’t mean you are waffling J. It just means, at least in my case, you need to learn more, you need to understand, you need to ask more questions, read more and in some cases be more open to the information you do receive. It also means that you may be headed in the right direction and understanding things and then all of a sudden life knocks you down again and you lose everything you had gained and you are back at ground zero.
We can all struggle with doubt at times. The Bible gives encouragement and help.
Show mercy toward those who have doubts (Jude 1:22)
Why am I so sad?
Why am I so troubled?
I will put my hope in God,
and once again I will praise him,
my savior and my God.
(Psalm 42:11)
So we are even more confident of the message proclaimed by the prophets. You will do well to pay attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the Day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19)
You have taught many people
and given strength to feeble hands.
When someone stumbled, weak and tired,
your words encouraged him to stand.
(Job 4:3-4)
Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God;
he created all the world.
He never grows tired or weary.
No one understands his thoughts.
He strengthens those who are weak and tired.
(Isaiah 40:28-29)
The father at once cried out, “I do have faith, but not enough. Help me have more!” (Mark 9:24)
Remember, I will be with you and protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done all that I have promised you. (Genesis 28:15)
At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, “What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?” They both got into the boat, and the wind died down. Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus. “Truly you are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. (Matthew 14:31-33)
I am writing this to you so that you may know that you have eternal life—you that believe in the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)
A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!” (John 20:26-29)
So, with all that said, for me, I’m going to hold on to God and trust Him to get me through all the things I am going through………Increase my faith LORD, Luke 17:5
