Handling the Doubts from Trials

Rusty Wirt   -   February 15, 2026

INTRODUCTION 

Some suggest that having doubts about anything faith related is immature at best and sinful at worst. But when we peel back the layers of the Scripture we see moments of fear and anxiousness. In this series we will explore how doubt is not the opposite of faith, but a necessary component. What we will discover is that having uncertainty is unavoidable. But in the uncertainty of our circumstances, we can be certain of God’s provision and care over us. We also will discover some strategies of dealing with doubt so that it is not overpowering us, but guiding us toward Christlikeness.  

In these first two sermons on Doubt, we will see how Paul handled a challenging season of ministry. And no one would blame Paul if his spirit took a nosedive into doubt and frustration. For everything he was facing in this new city of ministry was different. There was hardly a trace of monotheism and not even a single synagogue. On top of all of this, Roman nationalism was incredibly thick in this town. Phillipi was not a friendly place to be starting a church. This nerve-wracking situation required a nimble faith and prayerful execution. Paul shows us how we can demonstrate faith in a familiar God when we are in unfamiliar territory.  

Just because things don’t begin well 

does not mean that they must end that way. 

Don’t give up, keep going. 

The Christian worldview has an accounting for evil and suffering in this world in a way that other systems cannot compete.  

Having doubts about faith does disqualify you from being a part of faith. 

The Story of the Church at Philippi: 

• Starts in an unlikely place 

• Using unlikely people 

• Under unfavorable circumstances 

God’s will is hardly a straight line from where you are to where he wants you to be. The sanctification trend line is rarely up and to the right.  

1. When you are moving into a new place, prayerful sensitivity becomes super important (Acts 16:6-10) 
   1. Twice God was closing doors for Paul and his team (16:6, 7-8) 
      1. “The reason for the intervention of the Spirit may be connected with public and official hostility in the old royal cities of Sardis and Pergamon or in the capital of city of Ephesus, the kind of hostility and persecution that Paul had encountered earlier in Pisidian, Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, causing major difficulty for his missionary work.” (Eckhard Schnabel, ECOTNT) 
   2. When this happens, wait- God will show up in your circumstances 
      1. Pray 
      2. Be open 
      3. Discern consensus and next steps with others 
         1. “Concluding (συμβιβάζω, symbibázō) to join together, to unite in thought or action, to conclude together) 
         2. You can’t figure this out alone.  
         3. Who is your small circle that helps you work through problems? 
   3. Know that God’s results may look different than you expectations (16:11-35). 
      1. Notice who God brings to start this church: 
      2. Lydia: (Acts 16:11-15) 
         1. Mobil 
         2. Wealthy 
         3. Religious 
         4. Converted through conversation 
      3. The Slave Girl (Acts 16:16-21, Phil. 3:18-21) 
         1. Captive 
         2. Poor 
         3. Demon Possessed 
         4. Conversion was dramatically spiritual 
      4. The Jailer (Acts 16:22-35) 
         1. Powerful 
         2. Hardened 
         3. Wealthy  
         4. Conversion was after a great crisis 

 Application: 

• Schedule some extended time with God this week. Especially if you are in a transition season.  

• Write down what is God speaking to you internally 

• Converse and confirm that with those you trust