In a recent conversation with family, we were talking about the phenomenon of FOMO—”The Fear of Missing Out.” People who suffer from FOMO, tend to be scattered and want to be everywhere at one time for fear they will miss something. I must admit I have a tendency toward FOMO in my life because I want to share experiences and because I want to be present for the amazing, unexpected times of life.
Last week, we talked about Mary Magdalene’s experience at the tomb that did not match her expectations. She expected to find Jesus’ body in the tomb, but the tomb was empty. She told the disciples about it and Jesus appeared to the disciples. In John 20:24-25, we read, “One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But Thomas replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.’”
Because of this experience, Thomas is often referred to as “Doubting Thomas.” He doubted because the experience did not meet his expectation. Where the women and the other disciples believed because they had seen, Thomas missed out on those experiences. His doubt is based in reality where he cannot fathom an empty tomb. He is utterly confused now, because the man whom he has followed for three years, whom he thinks is dead, is now supposedly alive.
In our lives, we tend to battle doubt because of experiences that do not meet our expectations. If we were present, we are amazed, and our doubt turns to belief. Yet, when we are not there and someone is sharing an experience that does not meet our expectations, we tend to doubt because it does not make sense. We doubt because our orderly expectations have become jumbled, and we cannot fathom the reality. When a person with an incurable disease is healed, doubt wants to seep into our lives. When a person who has persecuted followers of Jesus becomes a follower, we doubt their sincerity (see Saul in Acts 9). When a relationship is reconciled and forgiveness is offered, we doubt as to whether there is an ulterior motive.
Jesus goes beyond our expectations to take our neatly packaged faith with no surprises and shakes it up with His ability to do extraordinary things. He also meets us in our doubts to help us believe. Jesus does appear again to the other disciples when Thomas is there and He lovingly speaks to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe” (John 20:27).
When you come to times in life where doubt arises, know that Jesus wants to meet us in our doubts. He does not shy away from our doubts or chastise us for doubting. Jesus encourages us to believe even though we do not always see. His extraordinary will always outdo our expectations.
Prayer: Lord, I sometimes doubt because my logic and thoughts of reality get in the way of your majesty and power. Give me strength of faith in my doubts that though I will not always see, I can still believe. In Jesus’ name. Amen.