We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love… ~ 1 John 4:16

Do you ever struggle with doubt? It can manifest itself in many different forms. It could be doubt about a decision that you’ve made, uncertainty about the direction of a relationship, or a lack of confidence in yourself as a person.

I struggle with doubt. For years I fought the temptation to doubt my salvation. Horrible obsessive thoughts and crippling anxiety made the situation worse. Satan twisted Scripture in my mind, and pushed me to focus on myself instead of Jesus – the author and perfector of my faith.

In His goodness, God delivered me from this stronghold. He helped me to rest in Him and His work on the cross for my salvation. He helped me to realize that He started a work in me and that He will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6). It can still be a struggle at times, but it does not dominate my life like it used to. Praise Him!

But uncertainty about my salvation was not the end of my struggle with doubt. More recently I’ve felt like my Abba Father has been far from me. I couldn’t hear Him speaking to me when I read the Bible or prayed. I knew He was there, I just couldn’t feel His presence. It was a difficult time.

One day during my devotions I came across a familiar Scripture verse, but in a different Bible translation: “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love” 1 John 4:16 NLT. I began to see this verse in a different light. God spoke to me through His Word.

I didn’t need to doubt His love for me! Yes, at that point in time, it felt like God was absent from my life. But in truth He wasn’t far from me. He was right there beside me! His sacrificial death for me on the cross proved His great love for me. I could know it with certainty (even if I didn’t feel it), and could TRUST in His love. God helped me to replace my worries with His truth and enabled me to rest in my Savior’s arms.

Do you ever doubt God’s love for you? Has He ever felt far away and seemingly absent from your life? Please know that He is not! God’s children never have to doubt His affection for them. Look to the cross. Look to His Word. Ask for the Lord’s help to let go of the doubts and fears and to rest in His love. You will be glad you did!