What is the best scripture for doubt?

Answer 1

Hebrews 11:1 " Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realites though not beheld". Sometimes after research you still can't understand something, so that's where faith comes in.

Answer 2

Sometimes we can take encouragement from the prophets of God.

The way The Bible is taught to us sometimes makes them appear as "super-heroes" who were always strong... never weak or faltering in their faith. We tend to forget that people are people... flesh and blood... no matter what time in history they lived [despite the claims of some who suggest that none of them ever existed in the first place].

The bottom line is that the "god of this world" is still presently running the show here on earth [though his days are numbered - Rev.12:12]. One of his greatest delights is to discourage people... drag the human spirit down as low as he can. This causes others misery, doubt and suffering [and with any luck, a suicide or two]. These are some of his favorite spiritual hobbies that he likes to share with as many people as he can.

And if you read about some of God's prophets, recorded in the Bible... you discover that they entertained doubt and discouragement, like anyone else.

I've found Jonah to be the most perfect "anti-hero" that anyone can imagine.

God had a task for him to accomplish... but Jonah, filled with self-doubt that he would make any difference, became terrified and tried to run away. [Where in the world do you run away from God?]

In his Satan-influenced "self-imposed" self-doubt, Jonah had to live in terror. Everywhere he went, he was beset by hardships and misery... always looking over his shoulder, to see who might be chasing him - running away from his responsiblity to his Creator.

He was finally "weighted down" and dropped into the sea where a "specially prepared fish" [Jonah 1:17] swallowed him.

In the fish's belly... just before he lost consciousness and died... everything came into focus -- and he prayed.

In the midst of self-doubt... never hesitate to pray.

"You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet will I look again toward your Holy Temple.'

"The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me, seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God.

"When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to your Holy Temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of Thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD." (Jonah 2:3-9 NIV)

Three days and three nights later, Jonah was resurrected and "vomited onto dry land."

There's a little passage that may help to deal with self-doubt [or when facing death]: "...Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the Grace of God that could be theirs."

Cry out to God for His Grace and Mercy. The Psalms are Holy Spirit inspired prayers that God has given to us, that can help us through this world's discouragement. They may be pre-recorded... but when you're sinking low, they take on a life of their own, you identify with them, and you are rescued.

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this Hope we were saved. But Hope that is seen is no Hope at all. Who Hopes for what he already has?

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit itself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. and He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Rom.8:22-27 NIV)

God's saints doubt. It's a part of the process of the growth and "building up of faith."

When you exercise your body... you build it up by first "tearing it down." That's the muscle pain you feel when you do it the first few times. So, it goes also when you exercise your "spirit." You're brought low when your spirit awakens and you realize how far away from God, spiritually, you have been. You hate yourself... feel unworthy and full of doubt.

GOOD! Your "flabby"spirit is awake... and has had its first exercise, probably since you were born. It hurts, doesn't it? Don't stop now... you have a lot of praying to do... a lot of doubt and low self-esteem to overcome. You need to become fully exercised and acquainted with the Grace and Mercy of the One who made us. His name is Jesus Christ.

Jesus' disciples walked the countryside with Him for three and a half years... walking, talking, experiencing His miracles -- and they still didn't know Him. Because their spirits had not yet been awakened by Him.

Peter's first act of faith was a clumsy child-like "first step" when he tried to emulate his Master "walking on water!" Without thinking, he stepped out of the boat, realized what a stupid thing he did... and began to sink.

"...Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' He said, "why did you doubt?"

He doubted "because he had little faith!"

But as time passed... and the disciples' spirits were tested and tried... and the Holy Spirit was given to them; their Hope was strengthened, their Faith grew... and their doubts subsided to the point where they no longer "believed" in -- but they "KNEW" their Lord and Master.

Doubting is part of the "spiritual growth process" just like the "physical growth of an embryo" in a mother's womb.

It takes time.

We are first and foremost flesh and blood -- not spiritual. We are weak and susceptible to many things beyond our control or knowledge [physically and spiritually]. We need to be given a chance to grow and develop [physically and spiritually].

And that means falling... and failing... and doubting.

That's why the Bible tells us to "Pray without ceasing." (I Thess.5:17)

The Bible is full of stories of God's saints crying out in their self-doubt and despair.

Jonah, in his weakened state, wished he were dead! "Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live." (Jonah 4:3 NIV)

Elijah, in his weakened state, wished he were dead! "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life... He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, LORD,' he said, 'Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.'" (I Kings 19:3-4 NIV)

Self-doubt is part of the spiritual growth process that everyone suffers. It's just another hurdle to "overcome" for God's elect, who are trying to come out of Satan's world. And it can only be overcome through the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, That is why the world hates you. Remember the Words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obey My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of MY NAME, for they do not know the One who sent Me." (John 15:18-21 NIV)

If you are Christ's... you are a developing, growing Child of God. Give yourself a chance to grow by taking "self-doubt" in stride. Think of self-doubt as a "spiritual exercise tool" to make your spirit stronger.

Some of the above passages might help work it out. But, like physical exercise... don't give up on the Holy Spirit. Never quit on it [the unpardonable sin]. Persevere. Keep exercising your spirit by it... overcome the doubts in unceasing prayer and scripture. No spiritual strength or Godly Character will develop without it.

"...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, Hope. And Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His Love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which He has given us." (Rom.5:3-5 NIV)

"To him who overcomes and does My will to the end, I will give authority over the nations -- He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery -- just as I have received authority from My Father... He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."