Have you ever been given a word of prophecy or a word of wisdom about something you needed God’s voice on? It is such a joyful and reliving experience.

But sometimes after a while, it seems everything is opposing and in contradiction to what God had said, or it seems the manifestation of your God-given word is tarrying too long, and then a strong sense of doubt begins to cloud your mind and ache your heart.

At that point you ask questions like, “God when?”, “How long do I have to wait?”, “Was it really you speaking that word to me?”, “Was I speaking to myself?”

Today, we would be girding our minds with the truth of God’s word to teach us about how to handle doubt.

Doubt by definition is a feeling of uncertainty or a lack of conviction.

This does not paint the picture well enough of what doubt can do, especially when it concerns your relationship with God and the words he has given you.

Doubt strategically attacks the conviction of the believer. It’s okay to have questions about the way the word will manifest but there is doubt that can limit your faith in God, weaken conviction, and stir up worry.

It’s absolutely necessary that you learn how to ward it off. In case you didn’t know, the devil doesn’t only seek to attack your health or your finances. He seeks to attack your convictions too.

Look at the infamous Doubting Thomas: 

John 20:25

New King James Version

25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

He demanded to see the risen Jesus and to touch him before he would believe. This is a disciple that had walked with him, seen him fulfill all the messianic prophecies, but he lacked faith in the efficacy of prophecy at this climax moment of his resurrection. He should have understood that all that God had spoken in prophecy would be fulfilled.

Jesus appears to them days later and shows Thomas his hands and asks him to feel the sides of his hands. It was only then that he believed.

John 20:29

New King James Version

29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

So to the rest of the world, seeing is believing but in our kingdom, believing is seeing. We don’t wait for the manifestation of God’s promise before we know and trust for them to happen no matter how long it takes. And we can do this, because a track record and an integrity is backing the words that he speaks.

Psalm 24:1-2

New King James Version

1 The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

2 For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.

The God that gave you that word owns the entire universe and everything it contains. You look at the beauty of our world and marvel at it, but do you realize your Father is the one behind it all?

Look at the intentionality in his salvation plan. How that he went ahead of you to provide everything necessary for your salvation even before you knew him. That’s a picture of his providential nature. He went ahead of you!

When you skim through his records in scripture, you see a God that is passionate and intentional about his people and he words always come to past.

Let’s look at the story of when God called Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations.

Jeremiah 1:4-8

New King James Version

4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

6 Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

7 But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD.

Look at the disparity in focus between God and Jeremiah. God says I have known you since before you knew yourself and ordained you to be a prophet to the nations. But Jeremiah was talking about his youth as though it was something significant enough to discount the word of the LORD. God spoke to him fully aware of his age, but still called him to the destiny he had prepared for him. That’s powerful!

God goes on to encourage his heart. He says I am the LORD your God and I will be with you and deliver you. There’s a place you have to get to you where you simply accept, believe and hope on the word of Lod simply because it is him that said it. You don’t know how it will unfold, or if you are even qualified. But what you are sure of is that God said it, so it’s going to happen.

When doubt starts to trickle in and attempt to deceive you, remind yourself of what the Lord has said. You must trust his word no matter what it takes or how long it takes.

Now, we must ask ourselves, what proactive steps we should take to deal with doubt

1. Meditate on the word

Joshua 1:8

New King James Version

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Keep it before your eyes day and night. Let it fill your consciousness. Listen to songs that encourage your heart.

2. Insist on the word

Luke 11:9

New King James Version

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Jesus says that it is the one that continues knocking, that the door would be opened unto. It is the one that continues waiting on the Lord that receives the promise.

3. Record the past triumphs and testimonies

One effective way to reinforce your faith and trust in a word in season is to go back to previous victories and testimonies to remind yourself of his faithfulness.

4. Speak to your ministry gift or a spirit filled believer

Speak to someone who could give you guidance on what you’re thinking about, who would also pray with you and receive guidance and confirmations in prayer for you.

The Word of God was, is and will always be true. Hold on to this truth everyday of your life.

Prayer Point:

Father, as I pray today, faith is stirred up in my heart to trust you no matter what. Every seed doubt that limits my faith in the efficacy of your word is uprooted in the name of Jesus!