When People of Faith Doubt

When it comes to faith some believe that doubt is a sin. Some believe that it is not possible for someone who knows God and believes Him can doubt His power. Everyone doubts, if even a little, but that doesn’t mean doubt is a sin. Even people of faith doubt.

At that time, in the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, “Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”

Luke 1.5-25

Zacharias was a priest of God and a man of great faith. That didn’t stop him from doubting God’s promise that his wife Elizabeth would have a son. They were both very old and beyond childbearing years, but God had done it before. There was no reason to doubt Him now.

As a result of his doubt, Zacharias was made mute until his repentance after the birth of John the Baptist. His silence was a witness to those around him that he had seen a vision, but it wasn’t until much later that the people understood.

Doubt has a way of delaying our understanding of God’s promise. We hear it. We even know God is powerful enough to do it. Still, we doubt God’s promise. One must wonder why the Church reminds us of stories like this.

Saint John Chrysostom speaks about the human failings of the Church as evidence of God’s power. Despite our limitations. Despite our doubt. God continues to work with the Church to save humanity. Doubt or not, God will do what He sets out to do.

Sometimes, like in the story of Zacharias, doubt can bring attention to God’s promise. The people who witnessed Zacharias’ silence understood he had seen a vision from God. Their attention was fixed on the story. When John the Baptist was born, people took notice.

Other times, doubt can lead people away from the Church. “Why should I believe if the leaders do not believe?” In those cases, doubt can still lead them back when they witness repentance. The sign of true faith always includes repentance, especially when we doubt God.

If Zacharias had not repented and named his son John, he would have remained mute. The people watching him would not have known about the vision, nor how important John the Baptist would be. They may not have known Christ without following the Baptist.

When you doubt, and you will doubt, instead of walking away from God, remind yourself of stories like Zacharias and Elizabeth. Remind yourself that when God makes a promise, we won’t always understand how He will fulfill His promise, but He will fulfill it.

In your moments of weakness, instead of walking away from God, turn back and ask Him to help you understand better. Remember the father who had brought his mute son to Christ for healing. “I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9.24) The father doubted. God helped him.

Doubt is a natural part of faith. The more we experience God’s love and power, the less we will doubt. Repentance when we doubt is what brings us back to God. Returning to God strengthens our faith and doubt fades away….until the next time our faith is challenged.

Keep repenting and doubt will rear its head less and less. At least when we read stories like this, we can be comforted knowing we are alone in our doubt of God’s power. We are never alone.