Question:
I have a friend who was a christian as far as I know but now he is so skeptical about everything that he is doubting if there is a God. There is a sort of depression that is hanging all around him. I know he knows everything he needs to know but still there are doubts. I am not sure if these "doubts" are a cover up for some greater problem or if he really needs a lightning bolt. He is very inteligent but he seems to let it get in his way of simply accepting and letting God be real to him. If he isn't willing to get out of the boat God will not make him walk on water. Any suggestion other than prayer. TC
Answer:
He should read the Bible. The Bible has power whether you want it to or not and regardless of whether you believe it does. The problem appears to be a lack of faith and what does the Bible tell us about faith? Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. So there you have it.
Answer:
We go through storms in life that shape us into who God wants us. If your friend is indeed a child of God, then this is nothing more than one of those storms. Pray for him, certainly, but encourage him also. Let him express his doubts and talk with him objectively. Doubts aren't there for no reason. Talk about them with him. Heck, send him here and let him discuss his doubts here. Can't hurt can it?
Answer:
Originally Posted by ChrisHarbison Heck, send him here and let him discuss his doubts here. Can't hurt can it?
Umm.. depends on the persons character. My best friend had came here...and now he "fixed" his doubts by becoming apart of the new age stuff.
Answer:
Originally Posted by JESOd Umm.. depends on the persons character. My best friend had came here...and now he "fixed" his doubts by becoming apart of the new age stuff. Ouch...out of curiousty, how did that happen?
Answer:
Romans 8:28 tells us that all things have a purpose, just like Chris said. Doubt can be included in this. I know exactly how your friend feels, because I've went through (and am still going through) a time where doubt seems to cast an ugly shadow over my life. As Os Guiness states, the shame is not in people having doubts, but being afraid to talk about them or deal with them.
But as I am discovering, doubt usually isn't something that is just factually based, which shouldn't surprise us because the Bible tells us often that we must live by faith. However, I've also discovered that often times our doubt is either (1) a misconception about what true faith is, (2) just a bout of emotional doubt/anxiety, or (3) an unwillingness to submit to the lifestyle aspect of Christianity. Chances are that any one of these, or a combo of all of them could be contributing to your friend's struggles.
As for ways to help, you definitely hit the spot with prayer, Tamar. The same can also be said for reading the Bible (nice job Bob!). I would also add in continuing spiritual disciplines like going to church, worship, and personal Bible study time. Books seem to help me too. Sometimes reading books about stuff makes me feel better because I discover that others deal with it too, and I can figure out how to help curb my problems. "The Thomas Factor" is a book I am reading now by Dr. Gary Habermas, and so far it has been very good. It also lists a lot of other resource books relating to this issue. C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" is also a good book to read, because it comes from a well thought out perspective of a former skeptic turned Christian. Just some suggestions. I'll be in prayer for your friend... keep us posted!
Take care & may God bless,
Wesley