YES to GOD study: Ch. 2: Embrace Doubt

Sorry I'm late. I was out of town having a God blessed visit with Kelley and her family.

For the summer study we are reading Liz Curtis Higgs' book

CHAPTER 2: EMBRACE DOUBT

Anything in blue is a quote from the book.

Throughout the pages of each chapter, Liz has included comments sent to her from the women who read her books followed by Liz's responses in orange.

Comments such as:

"This is a very dark time for me.

I have been feeling

abandoned of late."

For all of those dark times, here's a word of hope: God meets us

where we are. Even if we aren't looking in his direction, he

is always looking in ours.

****

"I'm not much into God.

The whole thing

seems a little hard to believe."

An honest statement.

The notion of God's coming to earth as an infant wrapped

in swaddling clothes, then willingly dying in his early thirties to

atone for the sins of an ungrateful world---well, it is far-fetched.

Very far.

Beyond the limits of human imagination.

Only an infinite God could design such an effective long-

range plan.

****

"Looking back I can now see

God's wonderful hands

guiding me back to him."

Indeed, he gives us second chances, third, fourth, fifth

chances---oh, far to many too count.

You see, it's God's faithfulness---not ours---that makes the

difference. He can handle our suspicions and fears, our

mis-givings and apprehensions. He is not dissuaded by our cynicism,

our incredulity. He understands doubt.

****

"I've had so many bad things

happen in my life

that I've started to question God."

A legitimate response. Question away, sis. Confess your

uncertainty.

Then relax in knowing that it's not your belief in God's

existence that defines him. God simply is. His is love incarnate,

and his righteousness endures forever.

Our doubt does not diminish God one iota.

When we come to the end of ourselves, God is just getting started. (I loved that!)

****

"I was well aware that Jesus was out there

waiting for me

and that he could turn it all around for me,

but I just didn't care.

Finally I came crawling back to Christ,

begging him to forgive me

and fill that place again."

We may not know where "that place" inside us is or what

it's called, but we know very well when it's empty. And who

alone can fill it.

Have you ever said or thought any of those things before?

Liz begins this chapter with the fact that trust is an issue for many.

We conquer those fears as we mature, but at the deepest level we never forget them. Old fears continue to color out emotional responses and produce feelings of doubt and uncertainty.

I love how Liz encouraged us to ask God questions and reassured us that our doubts, whether it's about Him or our purpose does not knock Him off of His throne.

Life can sometimes get the best of us.

And yet, we have a God that sits in heaven watching over us and is absolutely crazy about us.

Even on our bad heart days.

Let me leave you with what Liz left us with in this chapter...

This is a hands-on kind of Savior. He sees the lack of trust

in our eyes, hears the dubious note in our voices, and feels the

tremor in our fingers as we tentatively grasp the hem of his

garment.

In the face of our doubt, the Lord offers a sure word of encouragement.

Don't be afraid;

just believe.

Mark 5:36

God is good everyday and everyday God is good.

Hope you are having a blessed summer.

If you have something on your own blog to share of this chapter please sign up under Mr. Linky below. Or if you just have something to share, leave it in the comments below.

Love to hear your thoughts.

Has God freed you from something and you want to share about it by linking your favorite post or a new post you want to write?

Stop by on Saturday, 4th of July for

Red, White and No More Blues!

~Many Blessings~

Next Tuesday...chapter 3: Embrace Faith