“Doubt your doubts. Be skeptical of your own skepticism. Why? Because you realize that you are not completely objective.” Tweeted by Tim Keller, founder and pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.

 An hour before I read this tweet by Tim Keller, I wrote this thought in my little notebook, “How would my writing change or the process change for me if I removed the doubt—if I knew what I was doing would be great?”

 I think God is trying to tell me something—and maybe you too.

 Doubt has been my nemesis for quite some time. Anyone pursuing anything of value or creativity struggles with doubting their work/calling. I could go on for paragraphs about the doubts I’ve struggled with, but that’s not the point of this piece.

The point is we must stop doubting what God has put in us and what He’s speaking to us. Wasn’t that the reason for Eve’s sin—she doubted what God told her. The serpent was able to place doubt in Eve’s mind that God was giving Eve the total truth. That doubt caused Eve to not be all God intended her to be—in perfect relationship with Himself, not giving one thought to her appearance, totally comfortable with who she was and what she looked like. The list could go on by theologians more knowledgeable than myself, but the point is Eve’s doubt in what God told her caused her to miss out on God’s best for her.

 Doubt causes us to miss out on God’s best as well. We hold back on being and doing what God put in us. We fear others’ opinions and criticisms so we play it safe. We don’t say how we feel or what we think. We don’t explore the nudges and stirrings from God. Who lives like that anyway? I have responsibilities. I can’t start a business, go into ministry, go back to school, or have/adopt another baby. What would people think?

 “Doubt your doubts.” Listen to God. What if you and I let the words flow, the art flow, the ideas flow as we feel God puts them in our hearts and minds?

 “Doubt your doubts.” Be the amazing you God made you to be. Live the amazing life He planned for you.

 

 

 

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.