A few months ago I became a "friend" of "Prayer" on Facebook. Tonight I was catching up on the latest posts and read this: "Faith looks across the storm—it does not doubt Or stop to look at clouds and things without. Faith does not question why when all His ways Are hard to understand, but trusts and prays. -- Anon. --" I was fascinated that in only one hours time, over 5,500 people said they liked this and over 450 made comments about it! So I couldn't help but see what was being said - a lot of people said they agreed with it and that it was an amazing statement. A few others though even seemed a little discouraged by it, as if to say they couldn't possibly overcome their doubts and their questions... I began to think more deeply. And by the way, why was my initial reaction, ironically, met with questions?

It wasn't long at all before I remembered what Jesus said at the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) Now if you would, just let that sink in again (I know you've heard it before). Why have you forsaken me? Let's remember that Jesus was completely without sin. No sin at all... but he did question. He doubted. Did he then at this time not have faith? Well if he didn't have faith, how could he still be God? Perfect? So what if his questioning and his doubting was actually a part of his faith? Or put another way... normal?

Let me unpack it this way - I have two unbelievably precious daughters, Bethany ( 10 ) and Olivia ( 8 ) and one of the greatest joys of my life is having the privilege to be their Daddy. I think about some of the questions they've asked me over the years and I wonder, what would our relationship be like today if they thought they couldn't express themselves by questioning why and doubting me as a parent? What if I just told them to not worry about it, to trust me, or "because I said so" every time so that eventually they would learn not to question or doubt me anymore? How healthy do you think our relationship would be today? Do you actually think their faith in me as their dad would INCREASE?  Now of course there are some things that they can't possibly understand or be expected to if you tried - there's something right now that's very difficult on all of us and the explanation of it is impossible at this time - and that's the same with God sometimes, "you'll have to trust me" is the answer.  But even then, you can just sense the love behind the answer and eventhough it's no answer at all, the love behind it is even more important than the answer.  And that's why questioning God isn't a big deal because his love is so much greater than all of your questions and doubts put together!

Back to my girls - here's an extremely important point, what if they never questioned Christianity but just believed in it because their dad does?  Would they really ever believe?  Do you think that they could ever become a born again, fully devoted follower of Christ without seriously questioning this man who claimed he was the son of God who came to take away our sins?  That's not something you want to get wrong - you need to know if that's really true or not and that doesn't happen just accepting it at face value and saying ok, whatever... I know it didn't happen like that for me anyway - it took me YEARS of questioning and struggling and learning, which is another important reason to question... you learn answers!

According to the statement made on Facebook, faith does not doubt and it does not question.  I not only suggest that's not true but that it's completely the opposite and ask you, could questioning instead actually become the first step of faith?

Let's back up and remember what Jesus said in Matthew 26:39 before he was arrested. "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Clearly at this particular time, in this unimaginable storm he is in, he does not understand and even asks for the suffering to be removed. And clearly he feels the freedom to speak his mind and communicate his lack of understanding... There are plenty of other examples of this in the Bible as well but to especially hear Christ our Savior in this way... And what does he say next, after he freely communicates his concern? Faith! Obedience. Surrender. Trust. Faith. "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."

Have you been worried about expressing your doubts and your questions? Have you ever thought that they may be a neccessary part of your faith? Have you ever experienced a time when you doubted God and because you opened up to him, your faith increased?

Don't be discouraged when you doubt - be encouraged that God is challenging your faith and helping it to grow! Then just allow yourself to enjoy the surrender into his perfect, loving will...