Guest Notes
01-11-2026 When you have doubts, what should you do?
When you leave here, I pray that I will say something that you can apply directly to your life
Scripture Text:
Mark 9:24
24 Immediately, the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
The real issue isn’t having doubts — It’s what you do with them.
Have your doubts ever pushed you closer to the truth instead of farther away?
In the world today, there are 2.6 billion people who say they are Christians. It’s estimated Christianity will grow to 3.5 billion by 2050. Can you guess where the two fastest declining believers are in the world? North America and Europe
Where is the fastest? Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (especially China and South Asia)
DO WE HAVE A ‘Crisis of Doubt in our country?’
Look at events in your life that only God can do.
Mark 9:24 “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” —
If you’re struggling with whether you believe in Christ or not, as an unbeliever, I can understand why you have doubt, and that is another message.
IF YOU ARE a believer and struggling with doubt… Here are a few tips
1. Be Honest with God About Your Doubts
God is not threatened by your questions.
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David questioned God in the Psalms(Psalms 13:1)
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Job cried out in confusion (Job 30:20)
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Thomas doubted the resurrection(John 20:24-29)
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Even John the Baptist questioned from prison(Matthew 11:2-19)
Yet God did not reject them—He met them.
And He will do the same for you
“Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” — Psalm 62:8
Faith does not mean pretending everything is fine. Faith means bringing everything—including doubt—to God.
Application:
Stop hiding your doubts. Pray for them. Speak them. Lay them before the Lord.
2. Stay Connected—Don’t Isolate
Doubt grows in isolation.
When we pull away from:
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Worship
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Scripture
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Christian community (This is one of the reasons why we have
…doubt often turns into despair.
Hebrews 10:24–25
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.” —
Thomas doubted when he was absent. His faith was restored when he returned to the community and encountered Christ.
Application:
Stay in fellowship. Let trusted believers walk with you while you wrestle.
3. Return to God’s Word, Not Just Your Feelings
Feelings are real—but they are not reliable.
My pastor told me YEARS ago, Your feelings will LIE TO YOU
God’s Word anchors us when emotions fluctuate.
Romans 10:17
“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
When Jesus was tempted, He didn’t argue with emotions—He stood on Scripture.
Application:
Read Scripture even when it feels dry. Let truth lead feelings, not the other way around.
4. Remember What God Has Already Done
Doubt often causes spiritual amnesia.
Israel constantly forgot:
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THEY FORGOT The Red Sea
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THEY FORGOT The manna
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THEY FORGET God’s faithfulness
Psalm 77:11 “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” —
Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens present trust. HE DID ONCE, HE’LL DO IT AGAIN.. WONT HE DO IT!!
Application: God’s answered prayers
Recall YOUR answered prayers, YOUR past deliverances, and THE moments God showed up before.
5. HERE’S TOUGH ONE…..Choose Faithful Obedience While You Wait for Clarity
Faith is not always certainty—it is obedience in uncertainty.
2 Corinthians 5:7 “We walk by faith, not by sight.” —
You may not have all the answers, but you can still:
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Pray
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Serve
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Worship
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Love
God often reveals clarity after obedience.
Application: If you don’t remember anything else I’ve said Please remember this
Keep doing what you know is right while trusting God with what you don’t understand.
Conclusion
Doubt does not disqualify you from faith—it invites you deeper into it.
When Christians doubt, they should:
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Be honest with God
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Stay connected to others
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Anchor themselves in Scripture
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Remember God’s faithfulness
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Walk in obedience, even without full clarity
And like the father in Mark 9, we can pray:
“Lord, I believe—help my unbelief.”
That is a prayer God always hears.
Closing Prayer
Lord, you know our hearts and our struggles. When doubt creeps in, draw us closer, not farther away. Strengthen our faith, steady our steps, and remind us that you are faithful—even when we struggle to see it.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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