There’s More to Your Story: Lessons From the Easter Storyنموونە

# A LESSON FROM THOMAS: ### There’s More to Your Doubt “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25b) It can be hard to accept the difficult things that happen in life. It can be even harder to believe something good can come from them. Thomas was one of the 12 disciples who followed Jesus. In the three years he spent with Jesus, Thomas had moments of great faith. When Jesus wanted to return to Bethany after Lazarus died, the disciples feared it would mean death for them. But Thomas said, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16) But even the most faithful can have moments of doubt. When Thomas was with the disciples after Jesus’ death, some of them started to say they had seen Jesus raised from the dead. But Thomas wouldn’t believe it. He refused to believe it. Thomas often gets a bad reputation for doubting Jesus after His death. But, if we’re honest, who could blame him? In situations when things don’t go the way we hoped, it’s easy to lose confidence. When you’re disappointed, it’s natural for doubt to be your default. But in the midst of his doubt, Thomas had an encounter with the risen Jesus. And that encounter caused his doubt to die. Not only did Thomas realize his teacher had miraculously risen, but he also recognized who Jesus truly was as he declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) It was in this moment Jesus taught Thomas an important lesson: doubt doesn’t deter His presence. When you face disappointment, what is your default? It may be natural to fall into feelings of doubt. That’s okay — it happens to all of us. But what’s important is what we do with those feelings. Don’t allow your doubt to be your downfall. Instead, let it be an opportunity to work out your faith. Whatever your situation, trust what Scripture has promised: He has risen. (Mark 16:6) He is alive. (Acts 1:3) He is for you. (Romans 8:34) Have faith. Because there’s more to your story on the other side of the doubt. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)