The Chosen and Friends: God With UsNäide

When Doubt Slips In
Stuart Knechtle

In Mark 5:21-43, we meet one of my favorite characters in all of scripture: a synagogue leader named Jairus. He has a daughter who is very sick, and he meets with Jesus in hopes that he will come to Jairus’s house to heal her. My favorite verse within the story is when Jairus is called to have faith. Jesus wants him to believe and trust in Him—and also in the works that He will perform.

In the walk of faith, there are times where we will have great faith, and then at other times, doubt can slip in. And when it does, what will you do with it?

I think of King David, and what he did. When doubt slipped in, he resolved to continue praising God within the pain, and eventually he began to worship God for God alone, rather than the things God could give him.

I think, too, of “doubting Thomas,” the psalmists behind the psalms of lament, most all of the Old Testament prophets, and countless other biblical heroes, and what they did when doubt slipped in. The point of their stories, again and again, is that if we continue to seek after God, he will show Himself in amazing ways.

That’s similar to what Jesus is doing in this story from Mark’s gospel. Jesus is calling Jairus to have great faith that his daughter will be healed, but also to trust Him and Him alone, even if that means the passing away of a loved one. Jesus is calling Jairus to trust the Father in the midst of all that is unfolding with his daughter.

How can we grow in our relationship with Jesus in such a way that we desire to have Him at the center of our lives, rather than other good things (even the health of a loved one). Praise God, thank Him for things, think and reflect more on what He’s done for you, dive into Christian community, and pour over His Word. That’s a good start that has helped me greatly. And I think it will help you, too.

About The Author
Stuart developed a passion for defending the faith of Christ when he graduated from seminary. That was when he joined his father, Cliffe, as the co-host of Give Me an Answer and together they travel throughout the United States touring college and university campuses. He also enjoys debating atheist professors, politicians, and public figures online. Find more at givemeananswer.org.