Dealing with doubt hits all of us

Asking questions is a good thing. It brings our fuzzy understanding into sharp focus.

That's why I think God is patient with our doubts. When Jesus was here on Earth, he saw how hard it was for people to believe in him when he was standing right in front of them. Now that we have to trust the invisible Holy Spirit, it's even harder.

All the conflicting voices today raise doubts. Sources we used to believe, like the news or government, are no longer reliable. Politicians lie. Corporations cover up their corruption.

What do you have doubts about? What do you do when doubts make you anxious?

I've been fighting this problem my entire life. That's why I wrote November's feature article on dealing with doubt.

Get a life

We battle disappointment
in this world down below.
Things seem to be in shambles
no matter where you go.

Lies and greed and hatred
assault us every day.
People all around me
curse God and go astray.

When I speak up they shout me down;
it cuts me like a knife.
They call me narrow minded
and say "Go and get a life!"

I'm gonna go and get a life,
that's just what I will do.
I'll get a glorious body;
everything will be brand new.

I'm gonna walk with Jesus
upon those streets of gold.
I'll sing hymns with the angels,
a great sight to behold.

I'll be home with my Savior,
no more pain and strife.
I'm looking forward to that day,
I'm gonna get a life.
I'm looking forward to that day,
I'm gonna get a life.

~ Jack Zavada, www.inspiration-for-singles.com, 2023 ~

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QOTM: Believe Him, praise Him

November's Quote of the Month comes from Eugene Peterson, minister, theologian, and author of the modern language Bible paraphrase, The Message:

Belief in God does not exempt us from feelings of abandonment by God. Praising God does not inoculate us from doubts about God.

~ Eugene H. Peterson (1932 - 2018) ~

It's a sickening experience, feeling as if you're all alone in the world. But as Peterson himself paraphrased Hebrews 13:5 in The Message: God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you…”

The problem with an invisible God is also the advantage of an invisible God. He can't be seen, but he can be everywhere. If you're a Christian, God is right inside you: the Holy Spirit. Instead of consulting your feelings on his presence, consult your Bible. Jesus sent a Comforter for all his followers when he (Jesus) ascended into heaven.

Doubts come and go but God does not. He comes and stays. When the most powerful Being in the universe is your Father, you can take on anything.

Why you've been feeling insecure lately

Most singles have occasional bouts of insecurity, but lately it feels as if being anxious is the new normal. Yeek! I hope not!

Disappointment with the world is one of the reasons people go to church. Church has always been an oasis of hope in this desert of craziness. It's reassuring to know God never changes. If you're perfect, there's no need for change. God is the One we can always count on.

If you've had that queasy, insecure feeling lately, here are some tips on what to do about it.

Thanksgiving: Be grateful anyway

When you have a lingering problem in your life, whether it's physical pain, loss, or loneliness, your whole world seems to revolve around it. When we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving this month, we might be tempted to be ungrateful because that one problem is poisoning our life.

I get it. I've had cancer twice and certainly know loneliness. But the thing is, life here never gets perfect. In my experience, there's always some crisis or other, and even if it's not a major one, it's aggravating enough to steal our attention.

Here's my point: We can't wait until life is perfect before being thankful. I wish I could go back to many of the Thanksgivings in my 20s and 30s and give thanks for the incredible gifts I did have. I'm talking about salvation. My family. Enough food. A comfortable place to sleep. My car, even if at times it was a beater.

This year, if you'e struggling, give thanks anyway. Thanking God has a way of bringing you closer to him. Thank him for getting you this far.

As this month's poem points out, we believers are going to get a life, a life so wonderful words can't describe it. The best part of that life will be nonstop face-to-face fellowship with Jesus Christ for eternity.

We should all give thanks for that, every day.

There, single friend, is your November Inspire-O-Gram. I hope you found something helpful in it. To comment on this issue, use our secure contact form, which, through the magic of wires and such, will forward your email smack-dab into my personal inbox. Since I'm too thick to figure out A.I., I will answer it myself.

Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless you.

Jack Zavada
PS: Not a Christian? Find out how to become one!

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