In August of 2017, an amazing thing happened: The moon slipped in front of the midday sun and darkened the earth for a full two minutes and 41 seconds. And I got to see it.
I’ve always been interested in astronomy, but prior to this event, I’d never witnessed a total eclipse. I saw the pictures, heard raves about how incredible they are, and even viewed the partial Christmas Day eclipse of 2000 through a welder’s helmet (cool, but nothing like a total eclipse). For years, I blindly trusted other people’s take on what happens during a total eclipse—how animals react, how shadows change—but it wasn’t until I sought one out myself that I became a full believer.
Are you questioning your beliefs or struggling with doubt in your faith right now? There’s often a negative connotation to asking questions and probing the Bible’s accuracy. After all, “blind faith” means believing without seeing, and Thomas was chided for his doubt in the Gospel of John. Being grouped with him is it’s own walk of shame.
But faith unquestioned and untested isn’t true faith.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
For the Christian Teen Who’s Struggling With Doubt…
Doubt is a scary place to be. It’s the unexpected intersection between two possible truths, and only one is correct. For many, the teen years are when faith first intersects doubt and you start questioning your beliefs. Perhaps you grew up under the watch of Christian parents. Jesus’ love—and his existence, for that matter—were never in question. You went to church because your parents said you had to, bedtime and mealtime prayers were routine, and your future goals included falling in love, getting married, and having children—in that order.
Then came the questions.
Is abortion always wrong? What’s so bad about living with my boyfriend? How old is the earth for real? Must I ignore science in order to believe in God? How do I know the Bible is accurate? If God exists, why is there so much evil in the world? Why should I go to church?
Maybe you didn’t grow up going to church and praying, but you’ve recently encountered someone who says the Big Bang happened when God said, “Let there be light.” Now you’re wondering,
“Who is this God, and what am I to him?”
This is the time when many begin scrutinizing their beliefs under a magnifying glass. Are you weak if you are one of those people?
Questioning Your Beliefs: The Quest For the Truth
Examining the ideals you were taught as a child is a natural part of maturing into adulthood. “Because I said so” is no longer a viable reason to believe. You want real answers to the hard questions, and guess what? That’s okay! It’s time to decide which side of the fence you stand on.
Don’t assume your faith is weak simply because you’ve been struggling with doubt.
Even Joshua told the Israelites, “If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
Don’t assume your faith is weak simply because you’re struggling with doubt. It means you’re ready to grow and own it.
Search for Truth in the Right Place
Major caution here: Whatever you do, do not go looking for answers on the Internet. For every person who says the great flood of Genesis was a real event, another will insist it could never have happened. One “expert” will call the resurrection a conspiracy, another will say the Gospels were recorded wrong. You can find any answer to support whatever you want to believe—but only one can be right, and that’s the one you want.
That’s why, in your quest for the truth, don’t overlook the main authority on God: his Word. For every piece of info you gather elsewhere, whether about science, human nature, or moral values, always, always come back to the Bible to check its truthfulness. It’s through God’s Word that you can discern whether or not to believe what you’re reading on the internet or hearing from your peers or teachers.
If you have questions about God, let God answer them.
Is the Bible Reliable?
In your search for the truth, don’t overlook the main authority on God: his own true word.
What if you struggle to understand the Bible or—even more rattling—find yourself questioning the Bible’s accuracy and relevancy?
Yes, that’s okay, too. That means it’s time to seek out a Bible expert, and you probably have one nearby. He’s your local pastor. Most ministers welcome the opportunity to answer questions, even tough ones. But if yours won’t, don’t let that be the reason you walk away from faith. Seek out another Bible-believing church. (I can’t vouch for all churches, but I know this one is as Bible-centered as it gets and its website is a good starting place for any questions you have about God.)
Is the Bible reliable & trustworthy as a historical source? Find the eye-opening answer in J. Warner Wallace’s bestselling book Cold Case Christianity.
Heads Up! The Bible Can Stand Up to Testing
Ever wonder if the Bible can be backed up by other evidence? What would you find if you compared it to other historical records or archaeological evidence? What about scientific evidence?
Over the years, my eyes have been opened wide to the amazing external evidence supporting God’s Word and the existence of an intelligent creator. It’s not just a fancy piece of literature. If God created this world—and if Jesus walked the earth and did all the things the gospels say he did, then it makes sense that there would be evidence somewhere. And there is.
So let this be a challenge to you. If you’re questioning your beliefs and struggling with doubt, go looking for answers. Read the studies of Christian scientists (actual scientists, not the religious group Christian Science). See what historians like Josephus had to say about Jesus. Learn more about the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Bible can stand up to the test.
Struggling With Doubt? It’s Time to Grow.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
but, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
When you start questioning your beliefs, that means you are ready to go deeper. You’re ready for answers to back up the truths you’ve known. You’re ready to grow.
Check out these resources for the Christian teen who’s struggling with doubt:
- Feelings Vs. Facts: Believe What You Know, Not What You Feel
- 10 Passages For When God Seems Distant And Aloof
- Plug Into the Power of the Holy Spirit
Answers to “The Big Questions”
- Is abortion always wrong? – Dear Young Woman, Abortion is the Wrong Right to Fight For
- What’s so bad about living with my boyfriend? – Is it Actually Wrong to Live together Before Marriage
- How old is the earth for real? – I’ll let Answers in Genesis answer that one!
- Must I ignore science in order to believe in God? – Are Science & Faith Compatible?
- How do I know the Bible is accurate? – Is it a Leap of Faith to Believe in Jesus?
- If God exists, why is there so much evil in the world? – Faith Over Fear: “I Am NOT Afraid of Bad News”
- Why should I go to church? – Why Young Christians Absolutely Need to Go to Church
A great read. Thank you
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