Think of your most recent doubt. Did it have hope? Did it leave you praying and excited at the end of it? Were you excited for the possibility of what the further may hold even in your doubt?

Mary is probably 13 or 14 when we first see her in the Bible. Gabriel comes to her and at this point she’s practically married to Joseph. They just need to finish their last ceremony to allow them to love as husband and wife. All of sudden there’s this angel in front of her saying ” You are going to bear a son! He will be the son of God!” Can you see her laugh at him as I do as she explains it isn’t possible? It is only natural for her to question him even as Gabriel reconfirmed what she was doubting to be true.

Then she left! She just took off walking and headed for her cousin Elizabeth’s house. On the way there she probably encountered a large caravan, but I doubt she saw anyone or heard them! I imagine she was caught up with so many emotions like doubt, hope, excitement, joy, fear, worry, more doubt and so many questions. Probably much more than that. I think one of the biggest questions she would have would be, “What about Joseph?”

She left everything behind when she found out. But when she got to Elizabeth’s home, EVERYTHING was confirmed with Elizabeth’s first words, “Blessed are you who carries the son of God!” How amazing is that?! There is no way she could have known what had happened to Mary on the road. She had no way of knowing Mary’s conversation, and yet, she knew!

Mary then stayed with Zechariah and his wife for 3 months! She watched Elizabeth grow fat with child, she watched Zechariah reconfirm his faith with God and work out his doubts and questions, and she watched two people live out their dream. She got to see the confirmation of God’s love as she stayed with them. I can see her strengthening her bond with God, and learning just who she was during those months. But, I am sure from having a husband of my own, she had one lingering thought that just wouldn’t leave her alone, “What about Joseph?”

Joseph has to have had his own doubts when Mary finally told him she was pregnant with the son of God. The girl who is his by right of law and was supposed to be faithful to him wasn’t. He didn’t understand then. I can only imagine how hard it was for him to believe her and hear her side of things. What a man he had to be! To quietly divorce her instead of having her stoned to death! I choose to believe that it was because of 2 reasons that he didn’t, 1) he was a great, kind, and devout man. I’m sure the what if’s helped play a factor. 2) He hopes and prayed that what she was saying to him was the truth. It would mean God not only blessed Mary, but him as well! He was to raise the Messiah!

<discussion on the comparison>

It is okay to doubt! What makes your doubts a sin is when you stop believing as Zechariah did. When he stopped believing he no longer questioned the decisions of God, but God himself. He no longer believed God could perform miracles! That made it not okay.

Doubts and questions are only natural to have! We are HUMAN and God encourages your doubts and questions. It is what helps us discern the truth and what we believe. I’d rather have a God that challenged me rather than just having acceptance for the way things are!

Doubt my friends! It is what makes you stronger in your faith and your mind! Question everything a hundred times! Most of all, BELIEVE!