Is it wrong to have doubts from time to time? Most of the time, my faith is fairly strong, but occasionally something happens that makes me question my faith, and then I'll wonder if it's really true. Is God upset with me for this? — M.R.

God would only be upset at you if you didn't do anything to resolve your doubts and become stronger in your faith.

In other words, some people (I've found) almost enjoy having doubts, and they use them as an excuse to keep God out of their lives. Instead of seeking answers to their questions, they like to parade their doubts before others, and allow their doubts to eat away at their faith. But others treat doubt the way it should be treated -- turning it over to God, and using it as an opportunity to grow stronger in their faith.

I often think of Thomas, who was one of Jesus' closest disciples. After Jesus was crucified, Thomas' faith was almost destroyed, and he felt hopeless. When others reported that Jesus had been raised from the dead, Thomas refused to believe it (and as a result he came to be known as "doubting Thomas"). But Thomas was willing to have his doubts answered, and so he stayed with the other disciples -- and was present the next time Jesus appeared. His doubts fled, and he immediately responded, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).

Don't let circumstances or anything else fill you with doubt. Instead, make the Bible (which is God's Word) your daily companion. Then when doubts come you can overcome them with the truth of God's Word. The Bible says, "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him" (Proverbs 30:5).