Welcome, brothers, to today’s episode of the Man-to-Man podcast Understanding Doubt in Faith. We’re diving into a topic that many of us face: doubt in faith. Doubt is a natural part of our spiritual journey. Today, we’ll explore how to navigate it with wisdom and trust in God.

The Doubting Husband

Many husbands experience doubt when their plans don’t align with God’s timing. Whether it’s about family, money, career, house, or car, doubt can creep in. In Genesis 17:16-17, even Abraham doubted God’s promise of a son due to his and Sarah’s old age.

Did You Know? Around 1 in 6 people globally experience infertility at some point in their lives (Premier Health).

Personal Story: Abraham laughed at God’s promise, doubting it was possible at his age. Similarly, my wife Dana and I faced uncertainty and doubt when we struggled with our first miscarriage.

Lessons Learned:

• Control is an Illusion: Like Abraham, we learned that our plans are secondary to God’s will. Trust in His timing is crucial.
• God’s Timing: We eventually had two sons, but only after surrendering our timeline to God’s greater plan.

Scripture Reflection: “Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, ‘Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?'” – Genesis 17:17

Our membership offers resources for guidance in times of doubt.

The Doubting Dad

Fathers often doubt their ability to fulfill their roles effectively. James 1:5-8 highlights the importance of seeking wisdom from God without doubting.

Did You Know? Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of anxiety disorder (World Health Organization).

Personal Story: During my wife’s pregnancy, the closer it came to the delivery date, the more I doubted my readiness to be a father, feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities.

Lessons Learned:

• Pray for Wisdom: Continually seeking God’s guidance helped me grow into my role as a father.
• Overcoming Doubt: Doubt is natural, but prayer and trust in God’s wisdom provide strength and clarity.

Scripture Reflection: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.” – James 1:5-6

Our newsletter offers valuable insights for fathers seeking wisdom.

Living Without Doubt

Maintaining faith without doubt can be rare, especially in extreme circumstances. While we may not doubt God can do something, we may question the timing. Daniel 3:23-25 recounts how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted God in the fiery furnace, emerging unharmed.

Did You Know? About 1 in 4 adults worldwide report experiencing significant stress or anxiety (World Health Organization).

Personal Story: Reflecting on times of extreme doubt, such as during our family’s evacuation during Hurricane Katrina, when everything seemed uncertain.

Lessons Learned:

• God’s Presence: Trusting that God is always with us, even in the most difficult times.
• Overcoming Fear: Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we must trust in God’s deliverance.

Scripture Reflection: “He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'” – Daniel 3:25

Explore our leadership materials to strengthen your faith and leadership skills.

Thank you for joining us today as we discussed Understanding Doubt in Faith. We hope these insights inspire you to embrace doubt as a part of your faith journey. If you’re going to be something…be Uncommen!