How do I turn my doubts into faith? It’s something I have endeavored to doing everyday. Not everyday is easy though.

Faith is our trials, struggles, and disappointments turned into belief, action, contentment, and peace.

Life is a revolving door of disappointment. Everyday we struggle with something – a decision, a sin, a hurt, a burden.

As I sit here at my computer, there is a whirlwind of emotion, disappointment, and tangible struggle going on, even as I type, in the Davis household. Decisions to make, health to get back, thoughts to take captive, a marriage to minister to, yes or no to further infertility treatments, and goals to make for our next 5 years. At the crux of our planning is the ultimate question – God are you going to make our arms full? Our planning relies on this knowledge. Do we proceed with or without that expectation?

Our decisions have always hinged on that He would. But, what if it’s not His plan to do so? How do you create your 5 and 10 year plans and goals not knowing your future? It’s so hard.

That’s where I’ve found myself this week as Brooksie and I have been praying about and seeking God’s direction on our 5 year plan. It’s a stressful process but one that will come with time and leading from Him.

This morning I sat down for my breakfast, prayer, and bible study time because I needed a strong word from the Lord today. I needed to be encouraged and He gave me Luke 5:1-11.

This passage is about how Simon Peter was called to ministry with Christ. Take a moment to read the passage yourself. I’m going to hone in on verse 5, after Jesus told Simon to cast his fishing nets into deeper waters.

And Simon answering said unto him “Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing. Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” (verse 5, KJV)

That, my friends, is how you turn your doubt into faith. Did you catch it? The very moment that Simon overcame his doubts and replaced them with faith is in that word “nevertheless” or “but” in other translations. That was the pivotal life altering moment and word that changed it all. Simon had every reason to doubt given his circumstances and lack of success in the work of his hands. But, still, Jesus instructed him to try again but this time with a little variance. Simon was to cast his net into deeper water.

How many times have we given up if even for a moment only to have God say ‘get up and keep going’? When we’ve had yet another BFN and He speaks to us through His word saying ‘have faith’. When we don’t understand what He is doing, can’t see where He is taking us, but He says ‘trust me’. Or when our toils and work haven’t provided our needs but He says ‘do it again but this time do it differently’.

We can lament all the day long. We certainly have a right to. Life is unfair, we are overcome by sin, emotions run deep, people disappoint, we ourselves hurt others, our bodies get deathly ill, marriages crumble, wombs stay empty, our bank account goes into the red, friendships strain, we walk through wilderness and there are times we actually get really good at it! Right?!?

In all of it, the most important thing we can say is “But, God I will”. May the lamenting cease and the buts come. But, I will trust you God. But, I will continue on this path. But, I will pray more. But, I will seek You more. But, I will keep believing. But, I will make strides towards better health because that’s what You have instructed me to do. But, I will move forward with another infertility treatment because God has led me to.

Obedience. That is the call that we have and how we turn our doubts and fears into faith. Faith is an action verb. Not an adjective. It’s something we do and just not claim verbally like belief. In fact, belief is the beginning of faith. First, we have to believe. Then, we can act in faith because of our belief.

Whatever doubts you are facing today in your world, be sensitive to God’s instruction. What act of faith is He leading you to do? Don’t compare your circumstances, history, or the assessment of your abilities to what He is calling you to do. Simply be obedient and thus be blessed.