Ah, the joys of growing up as a Christian. How lovely it is to have the assurance that God loves me, and that I’m not forsaken like those outside his grace, and that I will never truly die and that eternity is…. oooh shit. I’m not sure if I believe this anymore.
Does this sound like you? If you answered yes, please don’t feel guilty. Seriously, don’t. If you feel guilty, you’re encouraged to take a few seconds to take some deep breaths before going on because, the truth is, everyone experiences doubt. And it’s okay.
Recently, Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in North Carolina has expressed the truth about his wrestle with doubt. He’s not the only one.

Christian leaders who have talked about doubt and faith

Some of the greatest thinkers in Christian History have wrestled with doubt and faith throughout their lives, including:

• C.S. Lewis – Clive Staples Lewis’s faith grew from a position of doubt. He was led to Christianity by his friend, J.R.R. Tolkien. You’ve probably heard of him too.
  
  Throughout his life, Lewis wrestled with doubt. He famously stated that “nothing is more dangerous to one’s own faith than the work of an apologist” because his work brought him face to face with reasons NOT to believe every day.
  
  Lewis ultimately lived his life as a believing Christian. Regarding his darkest times, his reminder which is written in Mere Christianity is one that resonates with us all: “Faith, in the sense in which I am here using the word, is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods”
  
• Mother Teresa – Wait.. that Mother Teresa? The one who is known for loving and serving so many in the name of Christ? Yep. This modern-day saint wrestled with doubt just as much, if not more so than the rest of us.
  

Her posthumously published writings reflect some the struggle in David’s psalms. Many record her concerns about her being a hypocrite because of her struggles with doubt. “Darkness is such that I really do not see. Neither with my mind nor with my reason. The place of God in my soul is blank . . . I just long and long for God”

Despite these writings, her love and lifestyle reflect that of a woman who wrestled with and, many times overcame her doubts to continue pursuing a life which she felt she was called to by the Lord.

• Pope Francis – Depending on your position of faith, the regard for which you hold the Catholic Pope may be high or low, but either way, you cannot deny his significance to the Christian Faith in the modern world.
  
  This leader of the faith has also expressed his wrestles with doubt.

So, if you’re experiencing doubt, you’re not the only one. Doubt doesn’t mean you’re done. Talk to a friend, family member or your pastor about your doubts and you may be surprised at how understanding and helpful they may be.