Doubtful Yet Possible

I blinked in wonder and re-read the email.

Remember back at school when you were telling me about Catholicism? I didn’t get it then. But I totally do now! My old college friend had emailed to share how five years after graduation, she had just gone through an astounding conversion and come into the Church.

My friend had no faith background growing up and was on a very different life path when we parted ways. The thought that she might find God had never crossed my mind. If it had, I’m sure I would have immediately dismissed it in doubt. Yet now her faith was flourishing in a way that strengthened my own. I shook my head and praised God aloud.

Today is the feast of Saint Thomas. Poor "Doubting Thomas"—while he gets a bad rap, I think most of us can relate well. How many times do we need to “see” God’s goodness before we’ll believe it? How many times do we still doubt, even after we have seen it?

I imagine that even after he'd seen the Lord, many people still doubted the account of "Doubting Thomas." Yet I’d also like to think that Saint Thomas’ own faith and testimony were that much stronger for it, since he could relate and share how he had once doubted, too.

How often he must have shared the words that Christ spoke to Him, for the sake of all of us, "Have you come to believe because you have seen? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed" (John 20:29).

Doubt is a natural first response. But it doesn’t preclude the seeds from being planted.

Don’t be discouraged by the doubt of others. Your testimony of faith grown through seasons of doubt is a powerful witness to those who are struggling. And when you’re tempted by your own doubt, beg the Lord for the spiritual eyes to truly see. He can, and will, do mighty things with even the smallest seeds of faith.

Make an act of faith with me today: Lord I believe—help my unbelief!

Saint Thomas, pray for us!

Lord I believe—help my unbelief!Click to tweet

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