“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:6-7
When Jesus ministered on earth, a man came to him and asked Jesus to heal his son. Jesus answered him that everything is possible for him who believes. The man’s response? I do believe, help me in my unbelief!
Belief and doubt are often wrapped up into one package, we pray believing, but five minutes later say, “I know God heard my prayer, but how He is going to work in this situation? I just don’t know whether I heard from God after all.” And we begin to doubt. That is normal — it is natural human nature. The only problem is we are meant to have the nature of God right? How do we overcome this tendency to doubt, and to check and double-check our decisions?
Realize the doubts will come. This is where faith comes into play. Anytime you make a decision that is based on where you believe God is leading you, or wanting you to do, doubts will come. And not only internally, but from others around you. Even the most well-intentioned Christian can come along and sow seeds of doubt in your mind with questions like, “Are you sure you heard from God? What do your other friends think? I know someone who was in the same situation as you, and it ended badly, I’ll pray for you.”
Satan is looking for any opportunity. Our enemy is a professional dart player. His aim is true and he knows how to score a bulls-eye. His top-scoring dart is the one that casts doubt on God’s Word and Character. When this dart hits, it leaves a hole in a Christian’s faith, which results in prayers that are ineffective.
Take it to God. He knows your thoughts and Psalm 139 tells us He knows what the next word out of our mouth will be. Sometimes we’re not sure we should tell God about all the anguish we are feeling or thinking. But He is big enough to handle it. In order to gain the victory over the doubts and the darts of the enemy we need to go to the cross. It is by the shed blood of Jesus that the match against the evil one is won.
Our faith will overcome circumstances and bring victory, it brings the answer to prayer, it brings hope, and most of all our faith is the shield that protects us. Believing prayer prepares you for the darts, it doesn’t prevent them. Be on guard!
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