Reading: Spiritual and Relational Doubts

Spiritual and Relational Doubts

Strengthening Our Walk with God

Not all doubts are about whether God exists or whether Christianity is true. Many Christians struggle not with belief in God but with their personal experience of Him. They wonder if God really hears their prayers, if the Holy Spirit is active in their lives, and if they are truly loved and accepted by God.

Spiritual doubts can feel deeply personal and isolating. However, Scripture and Christian experience show us that we are not alone in these struggles. Even great biblical figures—Job, David, Elijah, and even Paul—experienced moments of doubt, spiritual dryness, and discouragement.

In The Reason for God, Timothy Keller emphasizes that doubts should not be ignored but confronted:
"A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it. People who go through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic." (Keller, 2008, p. xvi)

As faith officiants, it is crucial to recognize these struggles and help others find assurance in God's promises.

7. Doubt in Prayer and God’s Responses

Many Christians wonder: Does prayer really work? They struggle with why some prayers are answered while others seem to go unheard. This can lead to deep discouragement and even resentment toward God.

Where Does This Doubt Come From?

• Unanswered Prayers – If God loves us, why does He not always give us what we ask for?
• Feeling Unheard – Some experience seasons where it feels like God is silent.
• Misunderstanding God's Will – People may believe that if a prayer is not answered in a specific way, God is not listening.

Biblical Encouragement:

• 1 John 5:14 – "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
• God hears every prayer, but His answers may be “yes,” “no,” or “wait.” His responses are always rooted in His love and wisdom.
• Psalm 66:19-20 – "But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!"

Keller’s Insight (from The Reason for God)

Keller points out that our understanding of prayer is often flawed because we assume God should answer on our terms. He writes,
"If we knew what God knows, we would ask for exactly what he gives." (Keller, 2008, p. 102)

Sometimes, God's "no" or "wait" is an act of protection or a way to align us with His greater plan. Trusting God means trusting that He knows what is best, even when we don’t understand.

Practical Steps to Overcome This Doubt:

• Shift your focus – Instead of seeing prayer as a request system, view it as a relationship with God.
• Reflect on past answers – Look back on how God has answered prayers in unexpected ways.
• Pray with perseverance – Jesus taught persistence in prayer (Luke 18:1-8).

8. Doubt in the Presence of the Holy Spirit

Many Christians feel spiritually dry at times. They may wonder: Is the Holy Spirit truly working in my life? When they do not feel emotional highs in worship or see dramatic miracles, they may doubt whether the Spirit is active.

Where Does This Doubt Come From?

• Emotional Dryness – Some expect to always "feel" God’s presence but go through seasons of spiritual silence.
• Comparison to Others – Seeing others have powerful spiritual experiences can make people question their own faith.
• Struggles with Sin – Some believe that if they still struggle, the Holy Spirit must not be present in them.

Biblical Encouragement:

• Galatians 5:22-23 – "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
• The Holy Spirit’s work is often seen in the transformation of our character, not just in emotions or dramatic experiences.
• Romans 8:16 – "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children."

Keller’s Insight (from The Reason for God)

Keller reminds us that the presence of the Holy Spirit is not about feeling spiritual emotions but about seeing real change in our hearts over time. He writes,
"If God exists, and He has given you His Spirit, the evidence of His presence is not necessarily ecstatic spiritual experiences but the growing fruits of the Spirit in your life." (Keller, 2008, p. 184)

Instead of seeking emotional experiences, we should look for evidence of the Spirit’s work in our growing love, patience, and faithfulness.

Practical Steps to Overcome This Doubt:

• Recognize slow growth – The Spirit works over time, producing character transformation.
• Remain faithful in disciplines – Regular prayer, worship, and Scripture study deepen spiritual awareness.
• Seek Christian community – The Spirit often speaks through other believers.

9. Doubt in God's Love and Acceptance

One of the deepest struggles many Christians face is questioning whether God still loves them after failure. They ask, “Does God still accept me after all I’ve done?”

Where Does This Doubt Come From?

• Guilt and Shame – Past mistakes can make people feel unworthy of God’s love.
• Conditional Thinking – Some believe God’s love is based on performance rather than grace.
• Spiritual Struggles – Feelings of spiritual failure can lead to doubt in God's forgiveness.

Biblical Encouragement:

• Romans 8:38-39 – "Nothing… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
• God’s love is constant. Our failures do not change His grace toward us.
• Psalm 103:12 – "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Keller’s Insight (from The Reason for God)

Keller emphasizes that Christianity is not about earning God's love—it is about receiving it as a gift. He writes,
"Religion says, 'I obey; therefore, I’m accepted.' The gospel says, 'I’m accepted; therefore, I obey.'" (Keller, 2008, p. 186)

God’s love is not based on how well we perform—it is based on Christ’s finished work.

Practical Steps to Overcome This Doubt:

• Memorize Scriptures on God’s love – Remind yourself of His promises daily.
• Confess and move forward – Accept God’s grace and keep growing in faith.
• Surround yourself with truth – Christian community helps reinforce God's love.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever felt like God was not hearing your prayers? What helped you hold onto faith?
2. How do you recognize the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life? Are you looking for spiritual emotions or real transformation?
3. What reassures you of God’s love when you struggle?

Final Encouragement for Faith Officiants

As a faith officiant, you will meet people struggling with doubts. It is important not to dismiss their struggles but to guide them toward the truth of Scripture, personal testimonies, and a deepening relationship with Christ. Remember, doubt is not the absence of faith—it is an opportunity to grow in faith.

Timothy Keller’s The Reason for God provides a strong foundation for understanding these struggles. He encourages believers to engage with their doubts rather than suppress them, trusting that honest questioning leads to deeper faith.

God is not afraid of our doubts. He invites us to seek Him in our struggles and trust His unchanging love.