The Doubting Castle

I’m just sitting here right now thinking about why I’m posting so much on depressing topics. However, there is a reason.

Who has seen those fidget spinners? They’re everywhere. Apparently they help people with depression, and (not sure if this is true) depression is at an all time high in America. (Fidget spinners supposedly help with that). What I’m sure is true is that when despair strikes, people don’t turn to God–they turn to fidget spinners. In addition, most view God as the source of the problem because He’s letting such a bad thing happen! (Like I said in this article).

In Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian and Hopeful are trapped in the Doubting Castle and beaten daily by the Giant Despair who encourages them to kill themselves. (Sound familiar?)

In the end…what happens? Does Christian take out his magical fidget spinner and zap Despair with it?

No. Something else led him out of the Doubting Castle:

God’s promises.

If you feel like you’re trapped in the Doubting Castle…mired in despair…trapped by a giant you can’t fight by yourself…remember God’s promises.

Psalm 89:34, TLB; “No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back one word of what I said.”

1 John 2:25, NKJV. “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.”

Luke 18:27, NKJV. “But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

Phillipians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me–”

–which, I’d like to add, means no things without him. We are always dependent on God, for He is the one who can deliver us from sadness, despair…and the Doubting Castle.

Another thing the Doubting Castle entails is, well, doubt. Doubt may not be as familiar with us at first as despair, but all bad things grow in doubt–which is the absence of faith. How many times has Jesus said “Your faith has made you well?”

“Faith the size of the mustard seed can move mountains?”

“O ye of little faith!”

“You perverse and unbelieving generation!”

Faith is very important to God, for despair and all kinds of bad things happen in the absence of it. The way to get faith is simply studying God’s Word (“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing of the Word of God”).

If you need a way to study the Bible, this article I did may provide an option to help you learn more from His word.

Stay Inspired–and remember, God’s Promises.