Is Doubt Draining Your Hope?

“And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,  so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11–12)

*I see a call to endurance– to run the race (it’s a marathon) that has been set before us.

*To seek and strive for a closer and deeper relationship with our Savior and never be happy standing still.

*Spiritual sluggishness is a manifestation of unbelief.
*Spiritual sluggishness is a sign that there’s something about God that we doubt and it’s draining our hope, which means it’s draining our energy and drive.
**We’re not giving it all we have because –we doubt it’s worth the effort.

Spiritual sluggishness is not to be tolerated; it’s to be fought.  (Hebrews 3:19).

 
Spiritual sluggishness is a weight that needs to be laid aside (Hebrews 12:2). So how do you do that?

1. Identify the doubt.
*Sluggishness has a cause. What is sapping your faith?

2. Repent. Unbelief is a sin.
*Seek to actively turn from it.

3. Target that unbelief with Biblical truth.
*Stop whatever else you may be doing for devotional reading and focus on and pray through texts that deal directly with this issue.
*Lay aside your other book reading and read things that address this doubt.

4. Don’t go it alone.
*Humble yourself and share your struggle with trusted counselors God has given you.
**Humility is not being humble when God does a miracle through you. It is when even before you do it and through it that it is all God none of you.
*Our great Coach often speaks through assistant coaches (Hebrews 3:13).

Spiritual sluggishness is common to man (1 Corinthians 10:13). We all experience it. In the slog of our long faith-race and the adversity we encounter from the world, our flesh, and the devil (Ephesians 2:2–3), there are times the reward gets obscured by confusion and discouragements.

” Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Jesus I ask in your name that you will keep me mindful of the opportunities to love others in my life. Open my mind and guide me to chances to follow those who have deep relationships with You. Grant me faith when things seem hopeless, and give me the endurance to run the race you have set before me. I desire to be spiritually sharp, and have a deep meaningful relationship with You. In Your Name I pray, Amen.