In 2017, Pastor Craig Groeschel had what he describes as one of the strangest moments of his ministry. He was standing in worship, preparing to preach after a week filled with prayer and time in Scripture, when sudden doubt hit him.
“What if none of this is real?” the thought gripped him. Panic followed. He admits he even looked toward the exit, wanting to escape.
Groeschel shared this story in a recent message connected to his book The Benefit of Doubt. His point was clear: doubt isn’t the enemy of faith. Instead, it can be the very path that leads us to a deeper trust in God.
RELATED: The Limits of Doubt
Wrestling With Questions Many Christians Face
Groeschel explained that doubts often strike in the most painful moments.
-
In the hospital after a devastating diagnosis.
-
At a funeral, wondering why God didn’t answer prayers.
-
Alone in the middle of the night, questioning if He’s even there.
We ask: If God is good, why am I hurting so much? If He’s powerful, why doesn’t He fix what’s broken?
According to Groeschel, it’s not if we’ll face faith questions, but when. And the crucial issue is how we respond when doubt grows louder than belief.
Habakkuk: A Biblical Model for Doubt and Faith
To show how God’s people have navigated doubt before, Groeschel pointed to the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk.
Habakkuk lived during a time of violence, corruption, and idolatry in Judah. He cried out to God: “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2).
Habakkuk didn’t hide his frustrations. He questioned God’s justice and timing, but he never let go of Him. His very name means to wrestle and to embrace—a picture of faith that struggles honestly while still holding tight to God.
Groeschel explained that real faith isn’t about pretending doubts don’t exist or walking away from God altogether. Instead, it’s about wrestling with Him while embracing His goodness.
