Doubt Comes In

I enjoy going to the theater. There is something special about being transported into a world filled with adventure, excitement, and even tragedy. I recently saw the Tony Award winning play, Hadestown. For the sake of our conversation today, I will give a brief synopsis without ruining it for you. The play is a story based on the Greek mythological characters Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades and Persephone - with a modern twist.

At a defining moment in the play, we see Orpheus on a journey, wondering if he will successfully complete his mission. The audience watches as “The Fates,” a trio of women, linger close by. These ladies are introduced in the beginning of the play as the “voice in your head.” Their words are not filled with encouragement and hope but rather fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

As Orpheus walks in this vulnerable emotional state, the music is tense.  The Fates begin singing, “doubt comes in…” Orpheus is questioning himself as their words plant seeds of doubt in his mind. Here is a short snippet of the song for reference:

This visual and musical representation of the struggle we experience when “doubt comes in” was unfolding right before my eyes. It was all too familiar. I pondered this scene for days after. I was confronted with the ways I allowed doubt to take a seat at the table of my life. Orpheus’ experience primarily highlighted self-doubt but there is a type of doubt I believe is far more detrimental - doubting God.  

Our internal dialogue may sound like that of Orpheus and the enemy of our souls sings over us like The Fates; however, our response to the lies doubt whispers and even screams in our ears must be to identified and rejected. Who did God say you are? What are His thoughts on the matter? The truth is, doubting God effects the totality of our lives, whether we care to admit it or not. Let’s explore how this is addressed in the Bible. 

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8

There is a lot we can glean from this text; however, I want to focus on a characteristic of someone who doubts God. They are unstable. I recognize this is strong language but we must be willing to lean into areas of discomfort. No one wakes up in the morning actively looking for ways to be unstable. Yet, it still shows up in our lives.

One practice I have added to my prayer time is asking God pointed questions. Some of them include, “what lies have I believed about You (God)?” and “what lies have I believed about myself?” It has led me to some eye-opening revelations. I highly recommend it! In the same way, we can ask God to reveal the origin of the doubt we experience in our lives. “Why have I struggled to have faith about ___?” Beloved, I know He will answer.  When He does, ask Him to help you just like the man who encountered Jesus in Mark 9.  

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24b

Until Next Time,

Live Audaciously!

Kay Naomi