Honest Doubt

"Have faith!" "Trust in the Lord!" There are times when words of encouragement feel like impossible demands. We are human, constructed with minds that wonder and question ... and sometimes doubt. Sickness, disease, disasters, death; worldly troubles confuse and frighten us.

When we bring our doubts and questions to God, that is the greatest form of trust: a confident belief that the Holy One is understanding and compassionate.

The Gospel Message

Jesus said to his disciples, “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened."
    Matthew 7:7-8

Photo of a flower

Questions by Deborah Beach Giordano

The Doubter’s Prayer

Questions
I have questions
about who
and how
and when
and why …..

Questions
about heaven
and hell;
about life,
the universe
and everything.

Questions
about love
and compassion;
about prayer
and praise
and forgiveness.

Questions
about evil
and good;
about beginnings
and endings
and eternity.

Questions
about God
and the devil,
about saints
and sinners
and me.

Questions
about intentions
and outcomes,
about thoughts
and deeds,
dreams and desires.

Questions
about courage
and fear;
about hope
and faith
and doubt.

Questions
about questions:
about intelligence
and curiosity,
about truth
and honesty.

Questions
are evidence
of seeing
and seeking,
of insight
and yearning.

Questions
bring us
to You,
in awe,
confusion,
and doubt.

Questions
are a sign
of trust;
a belief that
they will be
answered.

Someday.

In Your mercy,
love and compassion,
we beseech You,
please
make that someday
someday soon.

Amen.