Hey HOTRJos youth! Let’s be real – faith isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes, questions pop up, doubts creep in, and things get confusing. That’s totally normal. In a world filled with different voices and ideas, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the good news: God welcomes your questions. He’s not afraid of your doubts. In fact, wrestling with them can actually strengthen your faith. This section is all about equipping you to navigate those moments and build a solid foundation of belief.
Understanding Doubt
What is Doubt?
- Doubt isn’t necessarily the opposite of faith. It’s more like a companion on the journey. It’s the feeling of uncertainty, the ‘what ifs’ that whisper in your ear. It’s part of being human.
- In our context, with the challenges facing young people in Jos, from academic pressures to societal issues, there are many opportunities for doubt to arise.
Common Sources of Doubt:
- Academic pressures and scientific discoveries that seem to contradict faith.
- Experiencing or witnessing suffering and injustice.
- Conflicting opinions and teachings from different sources.
- Personal struggles and unanswered prayers.
- Societal pressures that contradict biblical teaching.
Doubt vs. Unbelief:
It’s important to distinguish between honest doubt and outright unbelief. Doubt seeks answers; unbelief rejects truth.
God Welcomes Your Questions
Examples from Scripture:
- Share stories of biblical figures like David, Job, and Thomas, who wrestled with doubt and questioned God. (Psalm 22, Job 3, John 20:24-29)
- God’s responses to their questions demonstrate His patience and understanding.
God’s Invitation to Seek Him:
Proverbs 3:5-6: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’ Trust is a choice we make, even when we don’t have all the answers.
Jeremiah 29:13: ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’ God invites us to seek Him, even when we have doubts.