Difficulties Concerning Doubts

Chapter 9

Moses was on Mount Sinai 40 days and 40 nights. The people already had the law stating THOU SHALT NOT HAVE ANY OTHER GODS BEFORE ME (Exodus 20:3), and yet God informed Moses,

“‘They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a cast metal calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” Exodus 32:8

This week we are in chapter 9 of The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life. This chapter left me feeling a little uncomfortable; not because it’s not true, but because Hannah Whitall Smith wrote as if she were Moses on his first trip down the mountain with the ten commandments. She left no room for excuses to the person who struggles with doubt. Like the Levites, she took up her sword and shredded anyone who falls short in the faith department (Exodus 32:37). But in her approach, she got her point across. Our modern-day theology graciously indulges those who struggle with doubt while at the same time deals harshly with those who struggle with sins we think are more shameful (e.g. alcoholism, drug addiction, sexual sins, etc.). If we were to categorize sin—and we don’t want to make a habit of doing that because a sin is a sin. But indulge me, which is worse: not believing what God says or struggling with an addictive behavior? Smith shares her thoughts when she writes,

In the sight of God, I verily believe doubting is in some cases as displeasing as lying. It certainly is more dishonoring to Him, for it impugns his truthfulness and defames His character. John says that "he that believeth not God, hath made Him a liar" (1 John 5:10). It seems to me that hardly anything could be worse than thus to fasten on God the character of being a liar!

The sin of doubt is like Israel’s golden calf. It is a creation of the mind looking for a quick fix or explanation for our troubles rather than waiting on the Lord. Doubt is a self-comforting or a self-medicating practice we use to dull the pain of our unbelief.

When we struggle with our identity, that is to say who God says we are in Scripture, are we not on some level denying what God says is true? If one believes they are not worthy after having received Christ, and yet He makes it clear they are worthy, how does one come to terms with that? And how do we respond to the one struggling? 

In this chapter Hannah challenges us to encourage and exhort those who are struggling with doubt. And she gives us a strategy for overcoming those doubts. But you’ll have to read the book to discover her applications. 

By the way, Smith closes her chapter with a heart-felt and tender invitation to the reader. I don’t want to misrepresent Mrs.Whitall Smith as an uncaring person. Her motivation is the reader’s transformation and victory.

Here are some more questions to help you think through the chapter and even have a conversation with a friend.

Thoughts and Questions for Interaction

• “Doubt is a luxury” is a phrase introduced by Whitall Smith in chapter nine (bottom of page 105 in the edition we gifted at Christmas). How is doubt a luxury that requires self-denial as much as an addictive vice?  

• Explain what the author means when she writes, “Your very sinfulness and unworthiness are your chiefest claim upon His love and care.” (HINTS: the sick and the lost sheep). 

• How is Smith’s strategy to overcome NOT like an addict quitting cold turkey? 

• Are there any doubts that are stunting your growth? Could you share this chapter with a trusted friend and ask for their prayers and accountability to overcome?