James 4:15, “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

I say “Lord willing” a lot. So much that when I tell someone, “See you Sunday!” without saying “Lord willing,” I feel the phantom words fidget in my mouth all day. I do this because I love control and “Lord willing” reminds me I do not have any.

I would be lying if I said this was the only reason.

“Lord willing” has become a clever way to cushion my fall from disappointment I expect. If I tell someone about my plans and end the conversation with “Lord willing,” it will dull the pang in my heart when those plans crumble. Just like I thought they would.

James, the brother of Jesus, said, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:6-8).

Doubt digs holes in our faith and waits to bury us in the cemetery we created.

How are Christians who use inauthentic faith to disguise doubt any better than false prophets who use sheep’s clothing to hide that they are wolves (Matthew 7:15)? We need to actively tackle doubt, commit to changing, and revere God’s will.

Matthew 14:29-30, “…And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”

Peter’s story provides us one of three ways we can practically challenge doubt:

1. Record

John 21:25 says, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

Testimonies of Christ’s ministry were recorded. Letters the apostles wrote were preserved. Therefore, it is vital that you keep records of answered prayers. They act as soothing aloe for the wounds doubt leaves.

2. Rejoice

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Thank God for the results He hasn’t given you yet. When it was revealed to Jesus’ earthly mother, Mary, that she would bear the Messiah, she praised God, undeterred by a future she couldn’t predict. Thanking God after you petition Him serves as a reminder that you’ll thank Him again in one of two ways: when He provides what you desire or when you discover what He was protecting you from.

3. Receive

Matthew 14:30-31, “But when Peter saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him…”

Do not convince yourself that you can tackle doubt apart from God. Peter did not attempt to rise to the surface on his own. He saw that he was dying and instantly shouted for help.

View doubt in the same light— as something that is killing you. The only way to fight death is with the Author of life, the One who will take the doubt that’s smothering you and provide you breath that will change you.

For instance, in John 20:25-27 we find, “The other disciples therefore said unto Thomas, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe…Then saith Jesus to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.”

It pains me to admit that if I were Thomas, my eyes would have purposely darted away from Jesus’ hands and side. If I do not get my hopes up, I do not have to suffer disappointment.

This is the root of why I use “Lord willing” deceitfully. The phrase, “Lord, if it’s Your will” is often chanted in my prayers as a vain repetition, not in the God-honoring way it should be used. It is my sinful way of giving God permission to fail me.

However, Thomas’ legacy offers hope to doubters.

The phrase, “Doubting Thomas” is used commonly in American Christian circles. In India, though, Thomas is known for his faith. There are approximately 28 million Christians in India, and Thomas plays a significant part of their history—it was he who brought the gospel to this nation.

The rest of John 20 does not say that Thomas touched Jesus’ hands and side. Instead, the words, “My LORD and my God” tumbled from his lips (v. 28). Jesus told him to believe and he listened.

Thomas was speared to death in India for the Lord he originally didn’t want to get his hopes up for. When we listen to God’s promises, we can go from Doubting Thomas to Thomas the Martyr. When we believe God, we trust in His will. When we trust God, we believe in His will.

Doubt is praying with clenched fists, leaving crescent-shaped nail marks in palms made to worship.

Doubt is singing with salty tears clogging our throats like dirty drains, numbing tongues made to praise.

Doubt is sinking in water. Doubt is demanding to see prints. Doubt is the way “Lord willing” leaves our lips with a regretful sigh, tarnishing a beautiful saying made to testify.

Say “Lord Willing” to be like Peter. Peter, who felt confident enough to walk on water, requested to be martyred upside down on a cross because he was not worthy to die like Jesus.

God’s will humbles us.

Say “Lord Willing” to be like Thomas. When Thomas demanded to see holes in Jesus’ hands and side, he did not imagine his life would end with holes in his own body.

God’s will changes us.

Say “Lord Willing” to be like Jesus. Jesus’ soul was sorrowful, even unto death (Matthew 26:38). Yet He submitted to His Father’s will because He knew His death and resurrection would be our gain. Say “Lord willing” like Jesus did— without a shadow of doubt that any answer the Father gives is perfect.

When you use “Lord willing” to disguise your doubt, ask yourself: who are you to be disappointed in a God who formed a plan for our salvation at the cost of His Son?

Guest Post by Claudia Sharma

****************************************

Holy Spirit, turn our doubt into faith as we learn to trust You more than our feelings. Help us to seek Your will above our desires, but help us also to trust that You will bring to pass the circumstances we need to know You better. Help us, God, to not fall into colloquialisms or Christian verbiage that would disguise our vulnerability. Lord, we believe: help Thou our unbelief.

Amen.

Y’all, I am so glad to have my friend Claudia with us on Practical Living: I’ve known her for several years and she continues to wow me with her vulnerable honesty and amazing dedication to knowing why she believes what she believes. To get to know our guest post writer better, go follow her on Instagram @sharmaceuticals (https://www.instagram.com/sharmaceuticals/?hl=en)