Navigating Doubt: Why Questioning Your Faith Can Strengthen It

By Dr. Tim Orr

"If we are to have faith, we must go through periods of doubt." – Elisabeth Elliot.

University is a time of discovery, growth, and, for many, a season where faith is put under the microscope. Whether you're a first-year student or about to graduate, moments of doubt often surface—especially when you're confronted with new ideas, different worldviews, or personal challenges; for those of us in the Christian Union, these doubts can feel unsettling. But here’s the good news: questioning your faith doesn't have to weaken it. It can make it stronger.

1. Doubt Is Not the Enemy of Faith

Hannah, a second-year biology student at a university in London, was wrestling with her faith when lectures on evolutionary biology contradicted her Christian beliefs about creation. Each class added another layer of uncertainty, and it felt like a personal crisis. Her faith, which had always been a source of comfort and clarity, was now under siege by science.

However, instead of pushing these doubts aside, Hannah embraced them. She started conversations with her Christian Union friends and sought guidance from her mentor. Through these discussions, she discovered that many respected scientists—like John Polkinghorne and Francis Collins—had navigated similar tensions between faith and science. She learned that science and Christianity weren’t inherently opposed by engaging with their work. Rather, they could coexist in ways that enriched her understanding of God's Word and His creation. This deepened her faith, turning what felt like a threat into a means of spiritual growth.

Doubt is not a sign that something is wrong with your faith—it can be an invitation to explore it more deeply. Like a tree that grows deeper roots during a storm, faith that faces challenges often becomes stronger and more resilient.

2. Doubt Can Lead to Stronger Convictions

During a mission trip, Simon, a final-year philosophy student, found himself bombarded with difficult questions about his faith. Engaging with students from other belief systems, he was challenged on everything from the problem of evil to the reliability of the Bible. Initially, the intensity of the questions made him feel insecure about his beliefs. It felt like his faith was slipping through his fingers, especially when he couldn’t answer every critique.

Rather than retreat into silence, Simon took this as an opportunity. He dove into the writings of Christian philosophers like Alvin Plantinga and William Lane Craig, who had spent years tackling these issues. As Simon engaged with these resources, the questions that once overwhelmed him became an avenue for understanding his faith on a deeper, intellectual level. By the end of the trip, his doubts had evolved into stronger convictions. What once felt like an attack on his beliefs became a journey of solidifying them.

Just as a storm forces a tree to send its roots deeper, the challenges you face in your faith can make you dig deeper into the foundations of what you believe, helping you emerge stronger and more grounded than before.

3. Faith Is More Than Feelings

For Ellie, faith had always been an emotional experience. Worship nights at her Christian Union made her feel close to God, and Bible studies filled her with peace and joy. But when life took a difficult turn—her academic progress stalled, and she went through a painful breakup—her faith suddenly felt distant. She struggled to connect with God in the same way. The emotional high that once characterized her relationship with God was gone, leaving her feeling isolated and unsure.

Amid this struggle, Ellie opened up to her Christian Union group. Their encouragement reminded her that faith is not simply about feeling close to God but trusting in Him even when emotions falter. Over time, she discovered that her faith wasn’t based on emotional experience but on a deep trust in God's promises, which are unchanging regardless of circumstances. Through this process, Ellie’s faith matured from an emotional reaction to a steadfast commitment.

Like flying a plane through the clouds, where you can't always see clearly, faith isn’t dependent on what you feel in the moment. Your emotions might shift, but God’s truth remains steady, guiding you through the turbulence.

4. God Welcomes Your Questions

Jack, a first-year law student, had always heard that God was all-loving, yet he found himself grappling with the reality of suffering when a close friend was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The question of why a loving God would allow so much pain to plague him. His faith was on the brink, as he couldn’t reconcile this with what he had been taught.

One evening, after a particularly difficult conversation with his friend, Jack walked to clear his head. He poured out his frustrations to God, unsure whether it was even appropriate to question Him. But as he continued to wrestle with his doubts, he recalled the story of Job—a man who asked similar questions in his suffering. In time, Jack began to understand that his questions didn’t threaten God. On the contrary, God invites us into a dialogue, even when we’re confused or hurt.

Over the next few weeks, Jack’s Christian Union group helped him work through these difficult questions, pointing him to resources that offered theological and philosophical insights into suffering. Through this journey, Jack learned that asking tough questions didn’t mean turning away from God—it meant leaning in and allowing God to reveal His deeper purposes.

Faith, at its core, is a relationship. Just as a loving parent welcomes a child's questions, God invites us to bring our doubts and uncertainties to Him, trusting that He can handle them.

5. Doubt Can Build Community

Rachel always felt like an outsider when it came to faith. While others in her Christian Union group seemed confident, she was constantly confused. She hesitated to share this with anyone, assuming it would make her seem less of a Christian. But during a retreat, something unexpected happened. She finally opened up, admitting how much she struggled to believe certain aspects of Christianity.

To her surprise, rather than being met with judgment, others began to share their doubts. What began as a moment of vulnerability quickly turned into one of the most powerful experiences of Rachel’s Christian Union journey. They discovered that doubt was something they all faced at various times. Instead of isolating them, it drew them closer together, fostering an environment where they could grow together.

Doubt can be a unifying force when shared in the right environment. It breaks down the facade that everyone has it all figured out and creates a space for real, honest conversations. In moments like these, doubt doesn’t weaken the community—it strengthens it.

6. How to Navigate Doubt Well

Seek Answers: Don’t ignore your doubts. Dive deeper into the Bible, read from Christian thinkers, and engage with resources that tackle your difficult questions. Books like Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis or Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin can provide helpful insights.
Pray Through It: Even when you’re unsure, bring your doubts to God in prayer. Trust that He is listening, even in the moments of silence.
Talk to Trusted Friends or Mentors: Don’t walk through doubt alone. Share your questions with people you trust in your Christian Union or church. Often, others have been where you are and can offer wisdom and support.
Be Patient: Growth takes time. Just because you don’t have all the answers now doesn’t mean your doubts will last forever. Trust that God is working in you, even if the progress feels slow.

Conclusion: A Faith Strengthened by Doubt

Doubt isn’t a sign that your faith is crumbling. It’s an invitation to dig deeper, to seek answers, and to engage with God on a more profound level. Just as a tree sends its roots deeper during a storm, your faith can grow stronger as you navigate your doubts.

Embrace your doubts as part of your journey. God is big enough to handle your questions; through them, He will lead you to a deeper, more resilient faith. Remember, your Christian Union is here to support you, offering a space where you can wrestle with your questions in a community of grace and understanding.

Reflection Questions

What doubts have you experienced recently, and how did you respond to them?
How can doubt strengthen your faith?
How can ministry groups create a safe space for people to ask difficult questions?
Why is it important to acknowledge that faith is more than just feelings?
Who can you talk to when going through a season of doubt?
What resources have you found helpful when dealing with doubt?

The ideas in this article are the authors, but AI assisted in this article.

Tim Orr is an Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 17 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including three books.