Doubt

So what makes you doubt? Is it the things posted in newsletters, posted on websites, published stories in a respected journal? What is it? I know some people who are searching for answers, and say they know what's right, but don't go ahead and commit to it. Why is that? What is it about the commitment that makes one hesitant? For some, something happened during their childhood that they still don't understand, such as losing a parent. For others, maybe they grew up in church but have recently begun to doubt whether it's all real. It breaks my heart to hear about someone who knows the truth, yet they still doubt because they feel like their prayers weren't answered. At least they weren't answered in the way, or the timing, that they really wanted. God doesn't work on our time table, rather, we work on God's time table, and that's hard to understand at times. Maybe you have a sick family member, or friend, and you're praying for their healing. Maybe you are really needing some divine help with something, and it doesn't come when you are expecting it, or that person doesn't get a miraculous healing. Maybe they pass on, and you are left alone. I can't explain why God allows some things to happen. Such as losing that family member, or friend, and not healing them. What we have to realize is that God is never going to give us more than we can handle. When we are feeling like He doesn't want us to be happy, or that He's not going to answer our prayers, that's when satan is going to jump out at us. That's when we are most vulnerable to letting satan creep in and take a hold of our lives. It's those times in our lives that we have to rely on God for strength and guidance more than ever. I'm reminded of the poem Footprints In The Sand, by Mary Stevenson. It reads:
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson

What a powerful message. I mean think about it. At the times when we feel that we were the loneliest, most downtrodden, and beaten, that's when we had the most help. That's when God stepped in and took the most care of us. We aren't ever going through life alone. God is always there to carry us through the most difficult of times. For those of you who are searching for that something that will fill that void in your life. Maybe you're filling it with drugs, alcohol, sex, whatever it may be, just know that God is there to carry you through the most difficult of times. Please don't let too much time pass before you decide to commit to God. Just when you think you might have enough time to take care of it tomorrow, tomorrow may not get here.