FAITH: How To Strengthen Your Faith and Overcome Doubt
How I Went from Discouraged to Encouraged by Strengthening My Faith in God
Continually receiving from God is how He designed us to live.
However, knowing how to receive God’s blessings and increase faith can often be a challenge. In this article, I’ll share a powerful biblical insight from the book of James that helped me move from doubt and discouragement to faith and confidence in God’s promises.
Understanding Faith and Receiving from God
The other day, while studying James 1, I noticed how direct and corrective his words are. James doesn’t sugarcoat things—he speaks with biblical authority and clarity.
In James 1:6-8, he warns against doubt when praying:
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
At first, this passage discouraged me. But then, one faith-building realization changed everything for me.
Why Doubt Blocks Receiving from God
As a student of the Bible, I know that living in faith is essential. John 15:5 tells us that Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches—meaning we must stay connected to Him to bear fruit. The Bible also teaches that we must continually receive God’s blessings to live abundantly (Luke 6:38).
But James’ passage suggests that unstable faith and doubt can block us from receiving from God. That realization troubled me because, like many believers, I sometimes struggle with doubt—especially when waiting for answered prayers.
Even when I know in my mind that God can do all things, I sometimes waver when answers don’t come right away. This doubt, according to James, makes a person unstable and hinders them from receiving God’s promises.
How Doubt Even Limited Jesus’ Miracles
This truth is reinforced in Mark 6:5-6, where we see that unbelief in Jesus’ hometown prevented miracles:
“And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled at their unbelief.”
This verse highlights that even though it was Jesus’ will to perform miracles, unbelief limited what He could do in that place. That is how powerful doubt can be.
Realizing this, I knew I didn’t want to be someone blocking God’s blessings through doubt.
How I Overcame Doubt and Strengthened My Faith in God
Here’s what transformed my mindset—I flipped James 1:6-8 into a faith-building affirmation:
If doubt keeps me from receiving, then faith in God opens the door to receiving all He has promised!
God would never ask me to do something I cannot do with His help.
With Jesus, I am not a doubter—I am a believer!
How to Strengthen Your Faith and Increase Your Receiving from God
Jesus understands that we struggle with faith. He consistently encouraged people with words like, “Do not be afraid, just believe.” (Mark 5:36)
Fix Your Focus on Jesus
Just like Peter walked on water while looking at Jesus (Matthew 14:28-31), we can maintain strong faith when we keep our focus on God rather than our circumstances.
Focus on Jesus = Strong faith and receiving from God
Focus on problems = Doubt and instability
When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we align with God’s will, allowing us to receive His blessings in God’s perfect timing.
Final Encouragement: Keep Your Faith Strong
Instead of being discouraged by James’ warning, I now see it as a faith-building challenge. With Jesus’ help, we can:
✔️ Develop stable, unwavering faith
✔️ Trust God’s promises
✔️ Receive from God according to His will
James 1:6-8 isn’t a passage to discourage us—it’s an encouragement to grow in faith and open the door to God’s blessings.
You don’t have to be a doubter. Through Christ, you can be a faith-filled receiver of God’s goodness!
My goal is to help busy believers experience God more deeply, grow consistently—both spiritually and personally—and confidently live out their unique purpose.
