If we were to be totally honest, some of our most uncomfortable times is when we have doubts. Because we want something very badly, we begin to doubt when things don't happen soon enough.

Jumping to unfounded conclusions plays a huge role in having doubts. We begin to let our minds go unfettered, and the next thing you know, we become 100% cynical. In fact, we speak of that which we doubt as if it were fact.

We must say at the first that doubting is not sinful. I'm confident that God at times uses our doubts to re-affirm our faith in Him. Rather, when we give in to doubt and abandon faith, that is the seed from which sin germinates. Where has faith gone? Where is trust in God and His ways to provide? What should we do when in doubt?

The loss of heart can be conquered by prayer (Lk. 18:1). Only children of God have this right to address their Father in heaven. Remember...our Advocate is ever present before the throne to plead our case (1 Jn. 2:1). He knows our needs (Heb. 4:15-16). Our petitions must be "in faith, with no doubting" (Jas. 1:5-6).

Faith is not faith if all it does is wait around for someone or something else to do us a favor. God expects those who can help themselves to do so. He will supply what we cannot. Consider Paul's predicament in Acts 27:13-38. He and the others were in a terrible storm. Great time to doubt, right!?! But, the apostle said that there were some things they had to do to help themselves. God would do the rest.

Look at 1 Cor. 13:7. True love for others should see us through the urge to doubt them, or even believe what we hear about them that is not good. Unless we have evidence to the contrary, we must give them the benefit. "Love believes all things." When shown the contrary, we still must not doubt, but hope for the best. "Love hopes all things." We should do for others what we would want them to do for us (Lk. 6:31).

When in doubt...don't give up on God, yourself, or others. Keep loving God and doing right. It all will turn out for the best (Rom. 8:28).