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Daily Question, May 24

What does my doubt teach me about my faith?

  • Anthony
    Our "Faith" in a religious sense is very personal and unique to each of us. Faith in a more secular sense can be defined (for now) by Webster "c : firm belief even in the absence of proof / d : complete confidence.". But even that definition this is certainly not complete for everyone. Examine the Bible and see how the perception of God changed over the centuries from what seemed like an angry, jealous, and vengeful God of the Old Testament, to the loving, generous, and forgiving God of the ...

    Our “Faith” in a religious sense is very personal and unique to each of us. Faith in a more secular sense can be defined (for now) by Webster “c : firm belief even in the absence of proof / d : complete confidence.”. But even that definition this is certainly not complete for everyone.

    Examine the Bible and see how the perception of God changed over the centuries from what seemed like an angry, jealous, and vengeful God of the Old Testament, to the loving, generous, and forgiving God of the New Testament. Did God really change? I don’t think so. We did. Our perception of God changed. It can be hard for us today to see the Old Testament God as a “loving God” with our New Testament eyes, but it is true.

    Doubts simply allow us to examine our belief system. I believe that may be the point of the above question. Embrace the doubt. It is probably trying to tell you something. See it as an opportunity for growth.

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  • Anna

    They teach me that I can never come to a solution, while I live, because I am not powerful enough to find and hold the final answer for everything in my mind and in my heart.
    They teach me that there are endless ways to change my perspective, and that I can survive with my doubts, even if they seem so big, maybe because love remains a truth, without doubt.

  • GCharlotte

    I have fleeting doubts that they pop up but disappear not lasting meant to disway me.Whenever they do come into the picture they sadden me for a moment yet God pinches me so to say and I feel hope gratitude and fear so I brighten up!

  • Francine Marie Tolf

    “The opposite of faith is not doubt. The opposite of faith is certainty.” I forget who said or wrote this, but it rings true. Mother Teresa doubted. Jesus doubted on the cross. Doubt bestows humanity. Absolute certainty leads to dogma, force and inhumanity. Think of the dictators who never doubted they were right. Think of the religious wars throughout history, each side convinced of their righteous cause. My doubt teaches me I am human.

  • Gerry
    I'm not sure what my faith is at the moment. I respect all faiths, and love aspects and overlap of all of them. But my faith follows a life pattern, that of being enthralled by, and interested in so many things that I find it difficult to focus on any one concept. I believe all religions are "correct" if they harm no person or animal. My faith takes many forms, and so far, has never entirely deserted me.. Still, in these chaotic days, I feel it falling away intermittently in the face of glob...

    I’m not sure what my faith is at the moment. I respect all faiths, and love aspects and overlap of all of them. But my faith follows a life pattern, that of being enthralled by, and interested in so many things that I find it difficult to focus on any one concept. I believe all religions are “correct” if they harm no person or animal. My faith takes many forms, and so far, has never entirely deserted me.. Still, in these chaotic days, I feel it falling away intermittently in the face of global, environmental, and governmental crises. These heartbreaking seem to strengthen my faith after a “wobble.”

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  • Imagineddogma

    As I struggle with doubt I hadn’t thought to ask this question. I feel aversion to the word “faith” to describe my spirituality … I think because I associate it with religions & spiritual frameworks that haven’t been the right ones for me. I will hold this question and bring it to mind when that doubt and aversion arises.

  • pkr

    That I am on a spiritual journey, learning, navigating bumps in the road and hopefully growing everyday. That I have a long way to go……..and that I must remain open and receptive.
    Happy Friday to All….❤️🙏❤️

  • Carla

    My doubt(s) show me that I still pause & sometimes emotionally stagger through the questions: Am I at the right place at the right time in the universe? Do I trust today’s needs will be answered? I can usually say Yes to these & other questions; I guess it’s progress not perfection. Blessings to all for a restful weekend; in the US, remembering those gone before us who made the ultimate sacrifice.

  • Jeana

    My faith in God is solid. It took years of seeking to open my mind and heart, then I experienced what may be called a miracle. My understanding of the infinite is that we are connected to all living things, and to God. This connection is never broken. We have questions that may never be answered while we are in human form.

  • Sunny

    Faith is allowing me to be more accepting to what is. I think I am doubting my faith in the world of reason and fact. Doubting allows me to question what works to live in peace and harmony.

  • Michele

    We all won’t know until we die.

  • Doreen Nixon

    My doubt teaches me that I have grown in faith and will continue to grow in my faith. There was a time I had little to no faith at all. So to recognize my doubts is spiritual growth.

  • Mair

    My doubt teaches me that, even after all these years, I still need to take care, or I can be temporarily pulled under.

  • Kevin

    As a Quaker, I am committed fully to my faith even as I question various aspects of it about three times a day. I think that most people who say that they are satisfied with their faith would also say that they have doubts about parts of it, too.

    That I have questions and doubts about various aspects of my faith means that I am still learning, still asking questions, still daring to speak up and still able to help my faith remain truthful to its purpose.

  • estere
    This is quite an interesting question to consider, personally. Coming from two parents that are the complete opposites regarding this matter of faith and doubt I have grown up as a product of both. A father that lives in faith for tomorrow, trusts that God will provide and can daydream about anything, and a mother who, on the contrary, is a realist and doubts or rather examines every drop of blind hope that comes her way. - "My mother was tied to reality, and she always brought the family back t...

    This is quite an interesting question to consider, personally. Coming from two parents that are the complete opposites regarding this matter of faith and doubt I have grown up as a product of both. A father that lives in faith for tomorrow, trusts that God will provide and can daydream about anything, and a mother who, on the contrary, is a realist and doubts or rather examines every drop of blind hope that comes her way. – “My mother was tied to reality, and she always brought the family back to it. She distrusted ideas as such. She wanted to know what was to be done with them.” -(Jean Monnet, ‘From Silk to Silicon’)
    Doubt can teach us to prepare for certain things in life in advance and with wisdom rather than running straight into the storm. Doubt is necessary when it asks to take calculated risks instead of not doing anything at all in the name of faith. Faith is the reason why we do it. Constant doubt and re-evaluation is how we get there. And everything that is beyond our power is not for us to worry about.

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    • Kevin

      Morning, Estere, I really enjoyed your reflection here. Thank you.

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