God Can Handle Your Doubts

God Can Handle Your Doubts

Scripture References

Primary text

• Matthew 14

Other references

• Romans 15
• Matthew 5
• Matthew 16
• John 21

Overview

Pastor Craig acknowledged the growing spiritual hunger he sees and the parallel trend of people “deconstructing” their faith. Centering on Peter’s experience in Matthew 14, he showed that Jesus meets doubters with grace, not rejection. Healthy examination of our questions can actually deepen faith, because doubt is often a pathway—not the enemy—of trusting Christ.

Context

• The message flows out of Craig’s new book “The Benefit of Doubt” and from recent baptisms that highlighted both fresh faith and lingering questions in many lives.
• He speaks as a father, pastor, and former seminary student who has wrestled with doubts himself.

Main Points

1. A Culture of Hunger and Deconstruction

• Thousands are coming to Christ, yet others raised in church are walking away.
• Story: Craig’s long-time homeschool community—kids who grew up in his house—saw several friends leave the faith after unanswered questions.
• Instead of blaming those who leave, the church must ask, “How can we respond better?”

2. Jesus’ Pattern: Grace for Doubters (Matthew 14)

• Peter steps out of the boat, walks on water, then begins to sink.
• Jesus asks, “Why did you doubt?”—not as condemnation but invitation, then lifts Peter up.
• Survey of other doubters: Thomas, the disciples on the mountain, John the Baptist, Martha, the desperate father—each received compassion and evidence, not shame.
• Key line: “Jesus didn’t reject Peter for his doubt; He rescued him from it.”

3. What Causes Our Doubt?

• Unanswered intellectual questions, apparent Bible contradictions, painful experiences, unanswered prayers, or the failure of a trusted Christian.
• Story: Craig’s New-Testament professor helped compile the “red-letter” study that dismissed parts of Scripture. At 24, that sent Craig into a season of deep doubt.

4. Healthy vs. Harmful Deconstruction

• Unhealthy: reactionary, isolated, fueled by personal hurt—often ends in bitterness.
• Healthy: “a sincere examination of your beliefs, letting go of what’s untrue to build on what is true.”
• Jesus modeled this in Matthew 5 (“You have heard… but I tell you…”) and with Peter in Matthew 16, re-teaching what Messiah really meant.

5. Rebuilding on What Is True

• Everyone reads the Bible with a bias (family, culture, prior teaching).
• Therefore some of what we believe about God may be false; the remedy is not to abandon Jesus but to reinterpret everything through Him.
• Start with the Gospels—see how Jesus loves, forgives, and defines the Father.
• Illustration: Mold discovered in his daughters’ bedrooms—he didn’t burn the house down; he tore out the moldy parts and rebuilt. Healthy faith does the same.

6. From Doubt to Deeper Calling

• Peter denied Jesus three times yet is restored in John 21: “Do you love me?… Feed my sheep.”
• The same Peter preaches at Pentecost and sees 3,000 saved.
• Doubt and even failure did not disqualify him; they became the backdrop for greater usefulness.

Key Truths

• Doubt isn’t the enemy of faith; it can be the doorway to richer faith.
• Jesus consistently reaches toward doubters; He never recoils from them.
• Everything we believe about God may not be true; when error is exposed, “unbelieve” it and pursue what is true.
• Deconstruction done in loving community can function as discipleship.
• God often uses those who have wrestled honestly with Him to strengthen others.

Response

• Bring your honest questions to Jesus instead of hiding them.
• Examine your long-held assumptions in light of the Gospels.
• Forgive Christians who hurt you; don’t let their failure define your view of Christ.
• Walk with friends who are doubting—listen first, love well, and point them to Jesus.
• Replace misinformation with truth by regular, thoughtful Scripture reading.

Closing

Doubts don’t make you a bad Christian; they confirm you’re human. When you start to sink, reach up—Jesus is already reaching toward you. Like Peter, you can emerge from seasons of uncertainty with a sturdier, more useful faith.

“Doubt isn’t the enemy of faith; it’s often the pathway to a deeper and more meaningful faith.”

Prayer

Pastor Craig asked God to give courage to the doubting, wisdom to those walking with them, and grace for the church to love like Jesus loves—helping all of us let go of what is false and build on what is true.

Resources

• “The Benefit of Doubt” by Craig Groeschel (also available in Spanish)