Doubt and confusion no longer need to dictate your life decisions. By the grace of God, you can turn them into clarity and certainty with a change in perspective. Perhaps, doubt and confusion present the greatest challenges, keeping believers from walking in the full potential of their faith. Clarity and certainty open the way for God’s promise and purpose.
I find it interesting that dictionaries define the opposite of both doubt and confusion as being clarity and certainty. Perhaps, these two thieves of God’s best for our lives resemble conjoined twins — distinctly different yet inseparable. When doubt no longer exists, confusion cannot thrive. At the root of every failed decision, we find doubt in God’s goodness toward us and confusion over His purpose and destiny for our lives.
Given a choice, wouldn’t we all prefer to possess clarity and certainty?
Doubts rise the strongest when we feel prematurely thrown into a difficult task or are forced to navigate uncharted, uncertain paths. We can all think of our own personal examples. Though others have faced something similar, there is no one who shares the uniqueness of you … no one like your family … no one with your specific work scenario. Other’s may face similar circumstances, but only you are you.
One of my son’s favorite sayings is, “You do you!” He’s right. But me doing “me” and you doing “you” might look radically different. In those differences, we easily face doubt and confusion. Sometimes we blunder our way through; other times, we make wise choices that lead to unbelievable results.
Let’s make something abundantly clear right from the start.
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”
1 Corinthians 14:33
When doubt or confusion come barging into your lives, be sure of one thing — they didn’t originate with God. Contrary to a dictionary perspective, God gives peace as the antidote.
Peace
Every parent can relate to hearing their child’s panicked cry in the middle of the night. With the flip of a light switch and the comfort of a parent’s strong arms, the child quickly and peacefully settles back to sleep.
We aren’t much different. Oh, how easy to trust God when the “lights are on,” and we clearly see the path ahead. How much different, however, when everything feels vague and filled with shadows. May we learn to trust in the dark what God has spoken in the light.
“The Lord answered Moses, ‘Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.‘”
Numbers 11:23
“Now you will see,” God says to Moses while everyone was grumbling and complaining. “Now you will have a clearer vision and more clarity,” He says when Moses was ready to throw in the mantle of leadership and head back to herding sheep. “When you have me in your vision, peace reigns.”
Our Heavenly Father willingly steps into our darkness, bringing His light and holding us in His strength. Through Him, doubt and confusion fade away, turning into clarity and certainty — a certainty that He will do all that He promised.
Have you been there? Have you experienced God in such a personal way? Oh friends, the Author of peace is present!
Wisdom
Many knowledgeable people lack godly wisdom, but truly wise people always possess knowledge. God gives opportunity to replace doubt and confusion with clarity and certainty, through His wisdom.
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”
Romans 11:33
Though I have consistently prayed for wisdom, I’m not sure there has been a time when we have needed it more. All the world systems appear to be spinning out of control, in a state of shock, and about to fall apart. Confusion and doubt fill the hearts and minds of so many people. But I see another truth. More than ever, the wise shine brighter and stand above the unraveling mess around us. In the light of His presence, we ask for wisdom — for our families and nations.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
James 1:5
Truth
Though biblical truth is increasingly under attack, the inerrant Word of God dispels doubts and confusion. God is! God’s way is perfect! His way will continue to work! He is not surprised by anything. He sees the future as clearly as He sees the past.
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105
We can count on it. The truth of Scripture guides our way. As the Word of God penetrates our hearts, faith rises, giving confidence to make decisions and a boldness to pray.
- Clarity of Faith — Reading how God worked through the lives of others strengthens our faith. Within Scripture, we see God’s eternal plan working for our good, even when the future seems unclear.
- Confidence to Make Decisions — Through the Bible, we gain wisdom to make wise choices and the courage to follow them through. We gain the capacity to more closely align ourselves with His perfect will for our lives.
- Clarity in Prayer — God’s Word gives us a solid foundation upon which to pray. As we pray His Word, our prayers are infused with truth-based faith, gaining clarity and certainty for every circumstance.
A Great Exchange
God offers us a beautiful exchange — miraculously replacing our doubts and confusion with clarity and certainty. This requires a partnering with Him — not through striving or performance, but rather through coming into agreement with Him and His Word.
Father, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, I break every intentional and unintentional agreement and alignment with doubt and confusion through my words and actions. I agree with Your Word. You are NOT the Author of doubt and confusion, but rather of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). In the Name of Jesus, I welcome the peace of God which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) to infuse me, permeating my thoughts and attitudes.
I ask You to grant me God-given wisdom, knowledge, and understanding for the situations I am facing and will encounter in the season ahead. For You alone, Lord, give wisdom, and from Your mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6).
Lord, I stand upon Your Word of Truth, finding rest in You alone (Psalm 62:1). May my vision of You be clear and may I envision the future You have prepared for me and my family. I agree with the truth. Your plans are to prosper me and my family and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). You are great, O God, and do great and awesome things (Psalm 86:10). Help me to think big, believe big, and pray big.
Thank You, Lord for exchanging my doubt and confusion for clarity of thought and purpose. Thank You for giving me a new certainty and confidence to live each day fully and freely Yours.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
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