Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? – Matthew 11:3

 Doubt is an uncertain feeling in the mind that usually questions previously held beliefs. It has the potential of destroying relationships because it spawns suspicions about other peoples’ motives. When comfortably settled in one’s mind, it takes the seat of chief inquisitor. It suspects everything. It plies, turns every word and action of the other person inside out, and interprets them the way it perceives them. It lurks behind their every action and would not rest until it sees what it wants to see. Then, with vicious intent, it fires its deadly weapon of anger that frustrates and plunges a beautiful relationship into endless quarrels; while slowly squeezing the joy out of it.

Doubt destroys trust and causes a person to see shadows around everything. It is like a misty cloud on a bright beautiful day. It says to its host: “You can’t believe that. It’s ridiculous!”  Some of doubt’s familiar clichés are: “He doesn’t love you as you think”. “She is hiding something from you”. Doubt can be a product of pride and ego and can make a person think their opinion is always the best.

John the Baptist’s question to Jesus from jail illustrates how doubt can blur our minds and cause us to question the very things we have previously affirmed with absolute certainty (Matt. 11:1-6).John questioned whether Jesus was the One who was to come or whether they should “expect someone else?” (3); yet, he was the one who identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn.1:29). Perhaps, he expected Jesus to judge the evil of their time, which included his unjust incarceration by Herod (Matt. 14:3). But that was not happening – or so he thought. So he became doubtful and frustrated about Jesus.

Doubt plays the same game in our minds and causes us to disbelieve the faithfulness of God. A man meets a woman and falls in love with her. They get married and begin life together. God, who put them together, has spoken to the marriage in His word and they have believed it. Over time, their two personalities begin to knock against each other. They begin to doubt if they saw right, heard right, or made the right choice. Suspicion reigns everywhere and the relationship begins to crumble right before their eyes. Mr. Doubt tells them that God cannot help them resolve their issues. They have to work things out the way they know how.It is no more a matter of valuing the other person above themselves in humility, or looking to the interest of each other, as God says (Phil. 2:4). It is “my way or not at all”, because I know best. Meanwhile, they are moving towards the precipice of divorce – the very thing God has said He hates – and yet, they don’t care.

Doubt plays the same game with us concerning God. We become God’s children by grace through faith.. Things are fine until we start doubting God’s love for us or His sufficiency for all our needs. . Over time, we lose the first love, and as a result, Christ becomes a burden instead of being a burden bearer. He is not the powerful Savior anymore because He is not at our beck and call.

            Jesus’ answer to John the Baptist may be helpful to you at this time. He told John to take his mind from his own ideas and expectations of the Messiah and fix it on the reality of His being, as evidenced by His works (Matt. 13:4-6).

Likewise, you don’t have to look at your circumstances and question your initial belief. You got it right with Jesus and your spouse. Check His word and draw closer to Him. It’s the only way for you to diminish that He may increase in you.For only then can you have the right perspective and attitude in your relationship, and not give up.

So, don’t let doubt frustrate your faith in Jesus. He is the only answer to all your issues.