Let’s be honest: Faith is messy. It’s not a neatly wrapped package with all the answers tucked inside. It’s unpredictable. And it’s deeply human. For many of us, faith doesn’t come with a lightning-bolt moment of clarity or certainty. Instead, it’s a journey of questions, wrestling, and choosing to show up even when doubt feels louder than belief.

Author John Ortberg says plainly: “Faith is not the absence of doubt; it’s the means to overcome it.” That tension—the push and pull between what we believe and what we question—isn’t a flaw in the system. It’s the way forward.

Doubt gets a bad rap. It’s often seen as the opposite of faith, something to avoid or overcome as quickly as possible. But what if doubt is part of the process? What if it’s a tool for growth?

According to pastor and author Craig Groeschel, “If you’re not ready to face your doubts, you’re not ready to grow your faith.” Doubt doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It means you’re paying attention. It means you’re asking questions about what matters most.

And those questions? They’re brave. Questions like, what if God isn’t real? What if my life doesn’t have a purpose? What if I’ve believed the wrong thing for years? Aren’t signs of failure. They’re signs of a mind and heart actively seeking truth.

Faith isn’t about erasing those doubts or pretending they don’t exist. It’s about acknowledging them and asking, what’s my next step?

Faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about movement. It’s about taking a step when the path ahead is unclear and the questions feel heavy. Ortberg reminds us, “Faith is the courage to take a step when you don’t have all the answers.”

This kind of courage doesn’t come from certainty. It comes from choosing to trust, even when things don’t make sense. Faith doesn’t mean you’ll never feel doubt or fear. It means you don’t let those feelings paralyze you.

Sometimes, faith is big and bold—a moment where you say, I believe this fully. But more often, it’s small and quiet—a whispered prayer, an act of kindness, or a decision to hope even when hope feels out of reach.

Faith says, keep going even when it’s hard, even when it doesn’t feel like enough.

The Ache for More

Have you ever felt that ache—that quiet longing for something more? You chase goals, fill your schedule, and pour energy into relationships, but there’s still something missing. That longing isn’t a flaw; it’s a signal.

Ortberg writes, “The story of God is not just about getting people into heaven; it’s about getting heaven into people.” Faith isn’t just about what happens after this life. It’s about transformation in the here and now.

That longing for more meaning, purpose, and hope points to a truth we all wrestle with: We were made for something bigger than ourselves. Faith is stepping into that bigger story, even if we don’t fully understand it yet.

Don’t let doubt prevent you from experiencing the strength of faith. Faith doesn’t demand perfection or certainty. It doesn’t require you to have it all figured out.

Faith is about showing up—again and again. It’s about choosing to trust, even when doubt lingers in the background. It’s not easy, and it’s definitely not tidy. But it’s worth it.

Because faith isn’t about being fearless; it’s about being brave. It’s about saying, I don’t know how this will turn out, but I’m going to take the next step anyway.

What’s Your Next Step?

Faith doesn’t have to start with something big. It can start small. Maybe it’s sitting with your questions instead of running from them. Perhaps it’s saying a simple prayer, even if you’re not sure anyone is listening. Maybe it’s allowing yourself to hope again.

Faith isn’t the absence of doubt. It’s the decision to move forward with doubt still in your pocket. So, what’s your next step?

You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to figure everything out. Just take one small, brave step forward. Faith will meet you there.

If this reflection on faith and doubt stirred something in you—whether it’s a question, a hope, or even a hesitation—I’d love to continue the conversation. Faith is rarely a solo journey, and it’s okay to wrestle, wonder, or sit with the unknown. Let’s explore your questions together, without judgment or easy answers, and see where that next step might lead. Reach out if you’re ready to take that step—I’d be honoured to walk with you.

David Simpson is the Community Care Pastor at Parliament Community Church in Regina, SK, located near Harbour Landing. As a church, we offer programs for all ages, from children to youth, young adults to Seniors who are part of our Heritage groups. We are also diverse in cultural backgrounds but share a desire to grow as disciples of Christ together.

For Further Reading:

John Ortberg, Faith and Doubt.

Craig Groeschel, The Benefit of Doubt.