Sunday Blogvotional: Don't Be So Hard On the Doubter

So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:25-29

Have you ever thought that when Jesus said to "Doubting Thomas", "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." it meant Thomas would not have a blessed life and was suddenly the black sheep of the twelve?  If so, consider the passage differently.

There are many dedicated Christians who struggle with needing proof.  They constantly long for and need signs from God.  When Jesus spoke those words maybe He was simply explaining the difference between people who don't need proof and those that do.  One group is blessed by living a life of peaceful faith and acceptance while the other group often needs reassurance in what they believe (their peace is almost conditional). 

We are all wired differently with different personalities but this reality doesn't mean God prefers or values one group over the other.  We see this by the way Jesus interacted with Thomas.  Jesus didn't shun him or kick him out of the "twelve".  Jesus entered the room, reached out His hands and gave Thomas what he needed.  He showed Thomas His scars and then went a step further by inviting him to touch the scars as well.  These are not actions of a man who was annoyed by someone's need for proof but rather the actions of a man who loves.

Encouragement for the week:   God knows our personalities.  He knows what triggers our doubts.  He loves and values us whether we need "proof" or not.  He will always meet us where we are and help us get where He knows we can be.