Navigating the Minefield of Doubt — Part 2

Is it the light at the end of the tunnel… or a train coming straight for you? Sometimes in our journeys, we’re faced with forks in the road and questions we cannot answer. Last week, I introduced you to the author of Psalm 77 and his honest struggle. Check out last week’s post if you missed it.Asaph started with a round of really raw questions for God. Once he voiced his questions, he took 3 important steps that can help us know what to do when we desperately need to know God hears us and cares. If you aren’t currently on a mountain top, I highly encourage you to follow Asaph’s example when faced with doubt.

1. AppealAsaph got his fears off his chest and then stopped long enough to acknowledge God’s authority and come to Him with his needs. He appeals “to the years of the right hand of the Most High” (Psalm 77:10).

It is possible to be scared and frustrated yet still acknowledge that God alone is the Most High. 

[bctt tweet="It is possible to be scared and frustrated yet still acknowledge that God alone is the Most High."]

2. RememberAs soon as the Psalm describes Asaph’s decision to appeal to God, we see that he then chose to “remember the deeds of the Lord” (verse 11). 

Last week, I was struggling to help my daughter as she wrestled with some big questions. Suddenly, it dawned on me: Compared with her, I have a longer list of God’s faithfulness to keep me steady in a storm. (You see? There is a benefit to getting older! ????????) I decided to write out my list of how I had specifically seen God’s faithfulness in my life, and I sent it to her so she could see that, even when she wasn’t old enough to recognize God’s faithfulness, He certainly never disappointed. It is that history that will give us strength in present uncertainty.

[bctt tweet="It's the history of God's faithfulness that will give us strength in present uncertainty."]

3. PonderMaybe it’s splitting hairs… but as I read Asaph declaring, “I will ponder all your work” (verse 12), it reminded me to not only look back, but to also look around… not only at God’s work in the natural of our lives, but also in the supernatural. We see Asaph’s heart lighten and his faith grow as he recollects, “When the waters saw you, O God … they were afraid… your lightnings lighted up the world” (verses 16 and 18). When we step back and remember that we’re held by a God of ultimate power, that’s when our soul can rest.

[bctt tweet="When we remember that we’re held by a God of ultimate power, that’s when our soul can rest."]

Like Asaph, may we realize that our God is present and caring even when we don't see it. 

Your way was through the sea,your path through the great waters;yet your footprints were unseen.  (Psalm 77:19, ESV)

This Psalm led me to an extremely practical application which I can’t wait to share with you next week!