God can appreciate doubt

See: Judges 6:36-40

Doubt in place of faith is often seen as a negative. The example of Thomas is often given in Christian circles and he now suffers epithet as Doubting Thomas. What of Gideon then? Depending on how you read the bible God appeared to him personally in spirit, and miraculously consumed some food. Despite witnessing these two miracles, Gideon still held doubts about his place under God’s command. Those doubts weren’t satisfied until he witnessed two more miracles, one of the fleece being wet with dew and the surrounding ground dry, and another miracle with the conditions reversed.

Gideon was not rebuked at all by God for this. Gideon certainly doesn’t suffer from his lack of faith in the biblical canon like Thomas does.

I like to think because doubt trumps the virtue of faith when it comes from a place of humility. Doubt can from a place of humility when one questions their discernment and their virtue. When the bible tells us to beware false prophets, why shouldn’t we doubt or call the church leadership into question if we are humble about our perspective and desire to not be led astray? When we feel we are being led in a certain way in our lives by the spirit of God, why shouldn’t we question that if we humbly acknowledge it may be our own will or someone elses’ other than God’s pushing our choices?

When you are pushed beyond your good sense into realms that are uncomfortable, be strong in your doubt and tie it firmly to your humility. You do not have to skip beyond your more cautious tendencies into a place of pure faith without any offering to ease your doubts. Take heart in Gideon’s example and know that doubt does not mean you doubt God, but that you’re prepared to be humble about your ability to discern divine will, and will accordingly seek further confirmation.