Do You Trust God or Doubt Him?

Life constantly puts us in situations that test our faith whether it’s health, finances, relationships, or decisions about the future. Based on my personal actions, I ‘ve had to ask myself is it even possible to trust and doubt at the same time? 

The Nature of Trust and Doubt

Trust is an active commitment of the will. It is a decision to rely on God’s character; His goodness, power, and faithfulness even when circumstances are confusing or painful.

Doubt is an emotional and intellectual struggle. It involves questions, uncertainty, and feelings of anxiety about things not fully seen or understood (the mystery of God). You can choose to commit to trusting God while still experiencing internal struggles with what you know and what you see (doubt).

Doubt Is a Sign of Engagement, Not the Absence of Faith

Doubt is not the same as unbelief. Unbelief is the outright rejection of God and His truth. Doubt, on the other hand, is wrestling within faith. It shows you care about truth and are actively seeking to understand.

When you doubt but still pray, read/study your Bible, and live by God’s principles, you are demonstrating trusting action despite doubting feelings. Your actions may reveal your struggles, but your choices reveal the strength of your will and values.

Even the disciples who walked with Jesus daily struggled with doubt. When Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on water, he was doing the impossible. But the moment he looked at the waves instead of Jesus, fear and doubt took over, and he began to sink (Matthew 14:29–31).

Choose to Trust Him

Trust is a decision to fix our eyes on God’s character, not our circumstances.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Proverbs 3:5–6

Think about it this way; when you sit in a chair, you don’t test it first, you just sit, trusting it will hold you. If we can trust a chair made by man, how much more should we trust the Creator who made the heavens and the earth?

God has a perfect track record. He has never failed, even when our perspective can’t see the whole picture. The real question isn’t whether God is faithful, it’s whether we will choose to believe He is.

3 Steps to Shift from Doubt to Trust

  1. Remember What God Has Already Done
     When doubt creeps in, pause and reflect on past moments when God came through for you. Whether it was protection, provision, or answered prayers, those reminders strengthen faith. 

Bless the Lord, my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits; Psalm 103:2

  1. Replace Negative Thoughts with Scripture
     Doubt often begins in the mind. Combat it with the Word.  Instead of focusing on “What if it doesn’t work out?” shift to:

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Speak His promises out loud, your words can push back fear and doubt.

  1. Take the Next Step of Obedience
    Trust is not just believing, it’s acting on that belief. Abraham left his homeland without knowing where God was sending him.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed [a]by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 

Sometimes trust looks like moving forward even when all the details aren’t clear.

Let’s Pray. Dear Heavenly Father, help me to trust You completely, even when I don’t understand the situation. Remove my doubt and remind me of Your faithfulness in the past so I can walk in confidence today. Strengthen my faith so I can rest in Your promises. Teach me to remember, replace, and respond in obedience so that my life reflects trust in You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.