What does IDI mean at our house? I doubt it. Being doubted, questioned, having your sincerity and honesty reviewed doesn't sit well with anyone really. So when it comes to matters of faith, how does Jesus respond when we put the 'IDI' on Him which everyone has done at some point?
Have you ever heard of what some call the 'Doubter's Prayer'? The prayer consists of words spoken directly to Jesus. A man comes with his demon possessed child and asks for healing. Jesus replies healing is possible for one who believes. The father responds, 'I do believe, help me in my unbelief'! Those are the words of the doubters prayer, words that we can all in some way relate to. And Jesus responds by healing the boy - He understands we all struggle at times with faith.
John Ortberg in his book 'Know Doubt' quotes Madeleine L'Engle, 'Those who believe they believe in God but without passion in the heart, without anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, and even at times without despair, believe only in the idea of God, and not in God Himself.' Those words ring true for me. We are all in a way Jacobs, Isrealites, wrestling with God for the blessing of a stronger more sincere faith, to be helped in our unbelief.
Maybe you think doubt is something only you deal with. Not so - not even close. Ortberg goes on to tell an interesting story about Martin Luther. 'Luther was approached for help by an elderly woman troubled by doubt. "Tell me", he asked her, "when you recite the creeds - do you believe them?" "Yes, most certainly." "Then go in peace," the reformer said. "You believe more and better than I do." Peter sank in the waters of doubt, Thomas the disciple got a doubting nickname, you and I are not alone in times of doubt, in fact I'd say we are in impressive company.
Ortberg writes that 'doubt is a good servant, but a poor master'. Having doubts is okay, we can use doubt to encourage prayer, worship and time in God's Word. Luther said the opposite of faith is not doubt but pride. The bottom line is that we trust in the One who gave us the very gift of faith. Romans 1 explains the evidence for God and our faith is plain to see and visible all around us. I agree, no matter what happens.
Let me encourage you today to be a championship wrestler, to take on your doubts when they appear. You've been guaranteed a win if you'll only enter the ring- sorta like a scripted WWE match I might guess. Unchallenged, doubts will make you a wave tossed about in the sea (James 1:6) with no point or direction. Put the IDI on doubt itself when it comes around, engage the battle, reach into your shorts and pull out the brass knuckles of God's Word and you'll win hope, the sure confidence of salvation, that faith brings. Faithfully wrestle so as to win the prize Paul would say, a prize worth fighting for without a doubt.
Blest Regards,
kp
Maybe you think doubt is something only you deal with. Not so - not even close. Ortberg goes on to tell an interesting story about Martin Luther. 'Luther was approached for help by an elderly woman troubled by doubt. "Tell me", he asked her, "when you recite the creeds - do you believe them?" "Yes, most certainly." "Then go in peace," the reformer said. "You believe more and better than I do." Peter sank in the waters of doubt, Thomas the disciple got a doubting nickname, you and I are not alone in times of doubt, in fact I'd say we are in impressive company.
Ortberg writes that 'doubt is a good servant, but a poor master'. Having doubts is okay, we can use doubt to encourage prayer, worship and time in God's Word. Luther said the opposite of faith is not doubt but pride. The bottom line is that we trust in the One who gave us the very gift of faith. Romans 1 explains the evidence for God and our faith is plain to see and visible all around us. I agree, no matter what happens.
Let me encourage you today to be a championship wrestler, to take on your doubts when they appear. You've been guaranteed a win if you'll only enter the ring- sorta like a scripted WWE match I might guess. Unchallenged, doubts will make you a wave tossed about in the sea (James 1:6) with no point or direction. Put the IDI on doubt itself when it comes around, engage the battle, reach into your shorts and pull out the brass knuckles of God's Word and you'll win hope, the sure confidence of salvation, that faith brings. Faithfully wrestle so as to win the prize Paul would say, a prize worth fighting for without a doubt.
Blest Regards,
kp
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