Everyone deals with doubt sometimes—children, women, and, yes, men.
Men grapple with doubt, too. It can take many forms. We doubt our capacities, our performance, and our decisions. We question ourselves and our actions. We doubt our roles as husbands, fathers, and maybe even our manhood.
With so many things causing us to doubt, it’s important to understand that while doubt often gets a bad rap, it can also be beneficial.
As I write this article, I’m reminded of all the times I’ve doubted myself as a man, a husband, a father, and a pastor. I’ve gone through periods of doubt, but these doubts have often helped me.
They have made me more cautious, more thoughtful, and more reflective.
Doubt has pushed me to think more deeply and to consider things more carefully.
We should acknowledge the undeniable power of doubt and its potential to bring fear, but what if we harness doubt and make it work for our benefit?
There are many reasons why you might be grappling with doubt right now.
Maybe you are wrestling with God over something—unanswered prayers, church disappointments, or confusion about Scripture or what you believe.
We should acknowledge the undeniable power of doubt and its potential to bring fear, but what if we harness doubt and make it work for our benefit?
It could be due to social expectations and the evolving views of men today. We live in a world where traditional masculine roles and expectations often conflict with modern views on identity and the purpose of a man. Many men today feel pressured and doubt the effectiveness of the men they have learned to be.
Perhaps it is the pressure to be successful. High expectations in our fast-paced world can make long-term goals feel urgent. Men are expected to succeed at a faster rate, leading to doubts about their capacities and work performance.
Maybe you’re doubting yourself because you compare yourself to other men. Many of us doubt our skills, knowledge, and gifts. We compare and compete with other men, leading to questions like, “Am I a good enough husband?” “Am I a good enough employee?” “Am I a good enough boss?” Social media amplifies this pressure as we compare ourselves to others who seem to have it all together, making us doubt our worth and efforts.
You might also be grappling with doubt because of the big questions you’re asking yourself. “What am I here for?” “What is my purpose in life?” “Am I just going through the motions without knowing what else is out there for me?”
Read this part carefully, men:
Admitting these doubts can be challenging, but they can also be an opportunity for growth and self-discovery and, ultimately, an open door to getting closer to Jesus and seeing how, in the midst of grappling with doubt, you can experience His glory in your life.
We need to remember that God is not afraid of our doubts. He cares for you enough to address your doubts, take care of them, and use them to reveal Himself in your life if you allow Him to do so.
If you have attended Sunday school or church, you might have heard about Thomas, a disciple of Jesus.
He is often referred to as “Doubting Thomas.” This nickname comes from a story in the Bible where, after Jesus came back to life, He visited His disciples (John 20:24-29). However, Thomas was not present during this visit. When the apostles told Thomas about Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas declared, “I will not believe it unless I see it.”
Thomas, who had followed Jesus throughout His ministry and witnessed His miracles, still grappled with significant doubt. He insisted on touching the holes in Jesus’ hands and the scars on His side to believe that Jesus had truly risen from the dead.
Despite these doubts, Jesus returned for Thomas, graciously demonstrating His care and willingness to meet the doubter where he was.
So here are some things men can do as we navigate the doubts in our lives:
- Do not condemn yourself for doubting because condemning yourself won’t get you out of it. Like Thomas, get back into the room where Jesus is and surrender your doubts to Him, for He will relieve you from them.
- Remember that doubts are also an opportunity to ask questions, learn, and grow. If nobody else knows about what you are dealing with in your mind, God does.
- James 1:5-6: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
- Fuel your faith. Submit to God’s plan for your life and trust Him. If you are grappling with doubt, there is a good chance that you can grow in faith.
- Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Doubt doesn’t have to be a debilitating force. It can lead to growth, deeper reflection, and a stronger faith. By acknowledging our doubts and seeking God’s guidance, we can transform these uncertainties into opportunities for personal and spiritual development.
Remember, God is not intimidated by our doubts—He welcomes them and uses them to draw us closer to Him. Trust in His plan, fuel your faith, and let your doubts lead you to a deeper understanding and relationship with Him.
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