When You Doubt

People usually talk about doubt like it’s a problem.  I’m not sure that it is.  Many of us have probably never asked whether we have any good reasons to believe what we believe.  We probably just arrived at it by accident. 

Perhaps, we were raised this way, or maybe followed a particular path because a friend we trusted was going down it.  But why do we accept it for ourselves (if we really do)?  If we haven’t answered this question yet, then doubt might be a good thing, because we may not have any good reason for going this direction.  Perhaps it’s right.  Perhaps not.  How will we know until we start asking those questions? 

Your doubt may be the very thing that gets you to move in the right direction or start moving for yourself instead of letting someone else pull or push you.  So, since you’re unsure of things, why not start asking real questions and searching for real answers? 

I don’t mean that you should merely say that you’re looking for something while really intending to end up right back where you are.  I mean that you should actually look for answers and keep an open mind.  I, for one, am more interested in believing what is true than holding to any of the beliefs that I currently have.  In other words, if I am wrong about something, I want to know. 

If you’re unsure about where to start, why not start at the beginning?  Is there a god?  I don’t mean a specific one, just a generic deity figure.  This one question will have more impact on your worldview than probably any other one.  Look at what people of various points of view say and consider why they think like they do. 

This process will certainly be confusing.  It will make the waters muddier before they get clearer.  Of course, you could always just stay where you are and not know whether you are on the right path or not.  But, is that really what you want to do?  Wouldn’t it be better to look for answers than just hope you’re right, even if it takes a little work?