Testament Tuesday – Circle of Doubt

Life is hard. There’s just no way around that. Somedays it seems the demand is greater than what we’re able to give and we just don’t have enough of what is required. It’s in these days we must be faithful in remembering all of the hardships that God has gotten us through in the past. We have to remember God’s track record of getting us through it.

Many times in life we don’t see what God is doing in the background. We can’t even fathom how He is working all of the difficulties and hard times together for good. We can’t see the end to our story, but God has. When we feel lost or shaken by our current troubles we can be assured that God is neither surprised or shaken by our circumstances. Nothing is out of His hands.

But worry and doubt still creeps in. We’re only human after all. We find ourselves staring into the darkness and fear of what might come. It’s times when I get sucked into the darkness that I wonder if I disappoint God with my doubts and worries. I feel like I’m letting Him down when I don’t stay 100% faithful and I let anxiety take over. But if you’re like me, I assure you we don’t disappoint Him. Instead when we find ourselves filled with doubt we know that He responds to us with the care of a Father who knows that what we are going through is hard, but that there is a way through it and it leads to somewhere good.

Right now my family is going through a crisis. One that only God can bring peace and comfort to. And during this time of crisis I stumbled across Psalm 77 and this scripture has helped guide me on how to take the next step forward while times are so so dark. And ultimately I know one day I will look back at this time and see how faithful God was to me in leading me to better days.

The same can be true for you. If you’re going through a dark time let God call you out of it. Don’t get stuck in the circle of doubt. Know that you’re just passing through, not setting up camp.

Going through dark times is inevitable in this life. We sadly cannot avoid them no matter how hard we try. But we don’t have to let them consume us. We don’t have to allow our minds to be overwhelmed by all of the negative thoughts. There is a different path to take, a better one.

Psalm 77 has helped me shift my perspective and I hope it can help you too.

It starts with the person letting their thoughts consume them so much that they can’t sleep. They beg God for help, and nothing changes. They prayed, but didn’t feel relief.

“I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

At night I stretched out untiring hands,

And I would not be comforted.

I remember you, God, and I groaned;

I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.

You kept my eyes from closing;

I was too troubled to speak.”

Maybe this is where you’re at, it’s where I’m at. I’ve prayed and prayed, but I don’t feel anymore peace. I’ve asked for help, but not much has changed. And honestly, I’m exhausted from the battle. And it’s okay to feel this way.

The verses continue with this:

“Will the Lord reject forever?

Will He never show His favor again?

Has His unfailing love vanished forever?

Has His promises failed for all time?

Has God forgotten to be merciful?

Has He in anger withheld His compassion?”

I’ve asked countless times during this trial why is this happening to us. And the answer is I don’t know. But I do know if I dwell on these questions it will suck me into the darkness. In the end I don’t need to know the why, what I need is to know that God is always there offering goodness and comfort.

Here is where the shift in perspective comes in this chapter. It’s an intentional look for an exit off of the circle of doubt.

“Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal:

The years when the Most High stretched out His right hand.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider your works

And meditate on all your mighty deeds.

Your ways, God, are holy.

What god is as great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles!”

This is what we need to do in hard times. We need to go from the ‘what if’ and choose to think intentionally positive thoughts. It’s here in the darkness where we need to worship Him. Here when everything is a mess and seems hopeless and we have no idea how we’re going to get through it. Remember what He has already done and trust that He is up to even better things now.

He is a God of miracles.