When Doubt Creeps In: John 20:19-31

Friday: When Doubt Creeps In
Scripture: John 20:19-31


Have you ever been afraid that your faith might not hold up under scrutiny? Maybe you’ve wondered, “What if I’m wrong? What if I’ve built my life on something that isn’t true?” Doubt can be unsettling, especially when it strikes unexpectedly. Many people assume that faith and doubt cannot coexist—but John’s Gospel tells a different story.

The disciples had locked themselves away in fear. Jesus had been crucified, and though some had seen the empty tomb, uncertainty still clouded their hearts. Then, suddenly, Jesus stood among them. “Peace be with you,” He said, showing them His hands and side (v. 19-20). The disciples’ fear turned to joy—except for one: Thomas. He wasn’t there when Jesus appeared, and when the others told him, he refused to believe unless he saw and touched Jesus’ wounds himself.

Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas,” but his reaction is understandable. He had seen Jesus die. He wasn’t willing to base his hope on secondhand accounts. But when Jesus appeared to him a week later, He didn’t rebuke Thomas for his doubts. Instead, He invited him to see, to touch, to believe. “Do not disbelieve, but believe,” Jesus said (v. 27). Overwhelmed, Thomas could only respond with worship: “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28). Jesus then speaks to all of us who would come to faith later: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v. 29). John tells us why this story matters—his entire Gospel was written so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing, have life in His name (v. 31).

Application: Bringing Your Doubts to Jesus
Doubt is not the enemy of faith—unaddressed doubt is. Thomas didn’t hide his struggles; he voiced them. And Jesus met him in his doubts, offering exactly what he needed. If you wrestle with questions about your faith, don’t push them aside or pretend they don’t exist. Bring them to Jesus. Read Scripture. Ask hard questions. Talk with wise Christians. God is not afraid of your doubts—He invites you to seek Him.

But notice how Thomas’ story ends: not with endless questioning, but with worship. The goal of addressing doubt isn’t to stay in a place of uncertainty forever—it’s to move toward trust in Christ. Jesus calls us to believe based on the testimony of Scripture and the witness of those who have gone before us. Faith is not blind—it is reasonable trust in the risen Christ, who has proven Himself faithful.

Finally, consider how you can be a source of encouragement for others who struggle. Instead of shaming those with doubts, we can walk with them patiently, as Jesus did with Thomas. Who in your life might need a listening ear or a thoughtful response? Our mission is not to pressure people into belief but to help them see the beauty of Christ, so they, too, can say with Thomas, “My Lord and my God!”

Transform Our Heart Through Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting us in our doubts and inviting us to believe. When my faith feels weak, remind me of Your truth. Help me to bring my questions to You, trusting that You are not afraid of them. Strengthen my heart to believe, even when I cannot see. And use me to walk alongside others who wrestle with faith, pointing them toward Your goodness. Holy Spirit, grow my trust in You, so that I may confidently declare, “My Lord and my God.” Amen.