The Doubting Disciple

“To see is to believe.”

Have you already told anyone this quotation when someone tried to make you believe about a thing that really exists or not—like unidentified flying object or alien or dinosaur? Name it. And, you wanted to see one of them eye to eye or even touch them so you would believe and won’t doubt their existence.

Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, reminded me of this famous quotation. He was not with the other disciples when Jesus came to see them after He resurrected. (John 20:24)

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25)

This is where doubt would take over our lives. We started to lose faith, having disbelief in our own hearts, and being discouraged of what seems to be our reality. We wanted to believe them by seeing it with our very eyes. This is the result of the pain we felt from the suffering we’ve experienced.

Lord God, help my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

Well, Thomas was not the only disciple who doubted when the women told them that Jesus has risen from the dead, even the other disciples were filled with doubts and fear. Who wouldn’t? If I would be in the same situation, surely, I will be filled with doubt. How about you? Would you feel the same way?

But the good news is, Jesus has risen to fulfill what was written and what He said to His disciples would happen. Truly, Jesus is a promise-keeper. He is a reminder that He will always fulfill what He promised, even when the people around you—the one you cherished and loved—have broken their promises on you. Jesus will never break your heart. He is the hope we longed for after the pain and suffering brought by this world. For He has told us that in this world we will have tribulation, but take heart for He has overcome the world. (John 16:33) And, Jesus already won the victory for us.

And, my prayer to all of us is that we will never lose faith on the promises of God that will fulfill in our lives. That no matther how long we wait (Ecclesiastes 3:1), how rocky the road, how narrow the path we take, how heavy the burden we carry, we will always look back on the cross and be reminded that Jesus—our Lord and Savior—is a promise-keeper.

So, to all of you who are filled with doubts and fear. God is reminding you that He is with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20) And, He will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Start praying to God. Ask for increase of faith, hope and courage. He’s got you. He already won the victory for you and me—for everyone. Be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)

_inksandlife (reresshi)