Keeping faith in the midst of doubt

Doubt is definitely insidious. Doubt is the great enhancer of feat. It has incredible power over our thinking and acting. It causes hesitation and stagnation. And we know how fear can affect us. Point being that this is why faith is so fully explained and emphasized. It is faith that casts out fear. Faith is to light as fear is to darkness - they simply can't co-exist.

I would advise that when we find ourselves doubting that we quickly take an action against it. And I don't mean simply denying that it exists. Doubt can become a great stimulus to helping us to advance in our level of faith because it causes us to think, refine what it is we do believe. Paul Tillich once said, “Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.” Another way of looking at doubt is - don't run or deny it, use it as a basis to grow your faith.

Let me put a context to doubt... At the end of Romans 14:23 it states: "For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." Granted the first part of the verse is talking about eating, but the point about faith can't be discarded. When we consider what we believe, our 'walk', actions must be consistent with our words. We must act in faith, it truly is our only alternative. Otherwise... what proceeds from us is sin.

Another scripture that I especially like is James 1:6

   "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts
    is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed b;y the wind."

Our faith is incredibly important and it is evidenced in our speech and actions. But lets face it... we don't always speak or act this way. We do doubt, we have 'reservations'. That's why I've also always liked the scripture that tells us, "And have mercy on those who doubt;..." (Jude 1:22) Many of us also cry, as the father did in answering Jesus question: "I believe; help my unbelief..." (Mark 9:24, ESV).

The Bible has a plethora of scriptures related to faith, my favorite being in Hebrews (11:6). Also, it is part of the full armor of God (Ephesians 6). In this last example faith is our shield - able to quench all the fiery darts. This is powerful - we are equipped, we are able to stand. We can 'keep the faith' even in the midst of trials and temptations because faith is our defense.