Sometimes I feel like I’m the only believer in this world that can turn to skepticism and unbelief so quickly that it makes my head turn.  Why is this so?  I would love to be like the believer who is so solidly sure, that doubt is hardly ever an issue for him.

But no, I am a strange duck.  I am wired differently.  I think, and I think hard.  I examine every nook and corner of the information that my mind receives to process.

Tonight I am facing doubt.  My mind is whirling with questions, some even cynical.  I can’t seem to slow my mind down long enough to grasp hold of something firm to reorient myself to what I know in my head must be truth, but what I feel in my soul is doubt about that truth.  It is, at the least, disconcerting.  At the worst, it is paralyzing.

But I know I am in good company.  I am reminded of the man that practically pleaded, begged God by saying “I believe; Help my unbelief!!”, for that is a phrase, a scripture verse I have prayed regularly.  God help my unbelief.  Please help my unbelief.  And of course there is Thomas–who would not believe in the resurrection until he saw Jesus and his scars for himself.

The only way I know to fight this unbelief that is threatening my soul, is to fight with both prayer and scripture, even though I don’t want to.  Even when it would be easier to throw in the towel and state I do not believe.  To give up.

Here are some verses for fighting doubt.  Take each verse apart and see what it is really saying.  Meditate on them, devour them.  And then some how and some way trust that they are truth.  And, in fact, that trust must come from God, I can not manufacture trust.  So in praying for relief from disbelief, I must accompany that with praying for the ability to trust, something that does not come easily to me.

1. Jeremiah 29:11-13: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’”

2. Psalm 91: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust….’” (read the rest)

3. Psalm 27:13-14: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

4. Isaiah 54:16-17: “‘See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the LORD.”

5. Proverbs 3:5-7: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”