Let’s get something straight right out of the gate: every man who’s walked seriously with Jesus has wrestled with doubt. If you haven’t hit a moment of “Is this really true?” yet, don’t worry—it will come. And that’s not a sign of weak faith. It’s a sign that you’re thinking, growing, and taking this whole thing seriously.
As men, we like things we can fix, measure, or hammer back into place. But when it comes to faith, there are times when the screws feel loose and the blueprints are missing. That’s when doubt creeps in. The question is, what do we do with it?
Doubt Doesn’t Disqualify You
First, hear this: doubting doesn’t make you a bad Christian, a second-rate husband, or an ineffective spiritual leader. Doubt is part of the journey. Remember Thomas? Jesus didn’t reject him for questioning; He invited him in closer (John 20:27). Jesus met Thomas in his doubt and gave him what he needed to believe. That’s grace, not shame.
The Bible is full of men who struggled with doubt and still played pivotal roles in God’s story. Moses questioned his ability to lead. Gideon needed multiple signs to trust God’s call. David poured out his confusion and fear in the Psalms. Even after a major spiritual victory, Elijah crashed into despair and wanted to give up. Even John the Baptist—the guy who baptized Jesus—later sent messengers to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3) These weren’t weak men. They were faithful men walking through real fear, fatigue, and uncertainty. Their doubt didn’t disqualify them. God met them in it and used them anyway.
When we’re leading our families, trying to stay grounded, and keeping our eyes on Jesus while the world spins sideways, we’re going to hit patches where faith feels fragile. That’s normal. But instead of stuffing those questions down or pretending they don’t exist, God invites us to bring them into the light.
Engage, Don’t Escape
We can’t ignore our doubts and hope they vanish. They don’t. They usually just fester. And when we bottle it all up, it isolates us, making us feel like we’re the only ones struggling. That’s not how we were built to live.
God gave us minds to wrestle, hearts to seek, and brothers to walk beside us. That means when doubt shows up, it’s time to engage. Ask the hard questions. Open the Word. Talk with other men who’ve been through similar struggles. Don’t run. Face it like a man chasing after truth.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” God is not threatened by our questions. He welcomes them.
The Difference Between Doubt and Unbelief
Here’s something we need to get clear: doubt is not the same as unbelief. Doubt says, “I want to believe, but I’m struggling.” Unbelief says, “I refuse to believe, no matter what.” There’s a big difference. One is a step on the road to deeper faith. The other is a decision to turn away.
In Mark 9, a desperate father cries out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) Jesus doesn’t scold him. He acts. He heals. That’s the kind of God we serve—one who honors the struggle when it’s laid bare before Him.
Doubt Can Drive Us to Growth
One of the best things we can do when we’re wrestling with faith is to start searching for answers. Doubt isn’t a place to camp out. It’s a force that pushes us forward. Apologetics resources can help with that. Not because they have every answer wrapped up with a bow, but because they give us a foundation to stand on and a path to explore. Whether you’re wrestling with tough theological questions, the reliability of Scripture, or just wondering how to trust God when life hurts, dig in. Read, listen, ask. Keep learning. Use your doubt as a tool to deepen your understanding of God, not as an excuse to pull back. Growth starts when we’re willing to search.
Build a Life that Strengthens Faith
The more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, prayer, and relationships with solid brothers in Christ, the more resilient our faith becomes. Faith grows in community, not isolation. It grows in action, not just theory. And it grows through testing, not just comfort.
When doubts come, don’t panic. Don’t bail. Lean in. Wrestle well. And know that your questions, when handled with honesty and humility, can lead you into a deeper, stronger relationship with God than you had before.
Because here’s the truth: the goal isn’t perfect faith; it’s enduring faith. And the men who finish strong aren’t the ones who never struggle. They’re the ones who don’t give up.
You’re Not Alone
Brother, if you’re carrying questions right now, you don’t have to figure this out solo. We weren’t meant to. That’s why we walk together. Talk to a mentor. Reach out to a friend. Spend time with other men who know what it’s like to wrestle with faith and still move forward. It’s not about pretending everything’s okay. It’s about being real and choosing to press on anyway.
***
At Man in the Mirror, we’re here to help men like you navigate the highs and lows of faith, doubt, leadership, and growth. If you’re wrestling with questions or just looking for some solid ground, we’ve got resources, Bible studies, and a brotherhood ready to walk with you. Visit maninthemirror.org to find support, encouragement, and tools to keep you moving forward in your walk with Christ.
