Keep Showing Up Even When You Are Confused
“Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here, and see my hands.” - John 20:27
Confusion has a way of making people disappear. When answers are missing, and clarity feels out of reach, the instinct is to pull back. You stop talking as much. You skip the room where faith conversations happen. Distance feels safer than staying present when you are not sure what you believe anymore. Most people assume certainty is the requirement for closeness, especially with God.
Thomas didn’t have certainty. He had questions. Doubt had settled in after disappointment, and trust felt risky again. Still, he showed up. He went back to the room. He sat among people who believed something he was struggling to accept. Presence did not mean agreement. It meant he refused to isolate himself while confusion was loud. That choice mattered more than he knew at the time.
Something powerful happens when you stay present without having everything figured out. God often meets people in rooms they almost skipped. Thomas didn’t demand answers in advance. He didn’t resolve his doubts privately and then return. He brought his uncertainty with him. Jesus didn’t shame him for that. He met him right there, questions and all. Presence became the doorway to encounter.
Confusion doesn’t disqualify you from God’s nearness. Silence doesn’t either. Faith does not always look like confidence. Sometimes it looks like showing up again when everything inside you wants to withdraw. Sitting in the room. Praying even when the words feel thin. Staying connected when certainty is gone. Those acts may feel small, but they are holy.
If things feel unclear right now, resist the urge to disappear. Keep showing up in whatever way you can. Stay in the conversation. Stay in prayer. Stay connected to people who can carry hope when yours feels shaky. God does not require clarity before He draws near. He responds to presence. Thomas found that out the moment he stayed instead of leaving. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just don’t leave the room.
Confusion has a way of making people disappear. When answers are missing, and clarity feels out of reach, the instinct is to pull back. You stop talking as much. You skip the room where faith conversations happen. Distance feels safer than staying present when you are not sure what you believe anymore. Most people assume certainty is the requirement for closeness, especially with God.
Thomas didn’t have certainty. He had questions. Doubt had settled in after disappointment, and trust felt risky again. Still, he showed up. He went back to the room. He sat among people who believed something he was struggling to accept. Presence did not mean agreement. It meant he refused to isolate himself while confusion was loud. That choice mattered more than he knew at the time.
Something powerful happens when you stay present without having everything figured out. God often meets people in rooms they almost skipped. Thomas didn’t demand answers in advance. He didn’t resolve his doubts privately and then return. He brought his uncertainty with him. Jesus didn’t shame him for that. He met him right there, questions and all. Presence became the doorway to encounter.
Confusion doesn’t disqualify you from God’s nearness. Silence doesn’t either. Faith does not always look like confidence. Sometimes it looks like showing up again when everything inside you wants to withdraw. Sitting in the room. Praying even when the words feel thin. Staying connected when certainty is gone. Those acts may feel small, but they are holy.
If things feel unclear right now, resist the urge to disappear. Keep showing up in whatever way you can. Stay in the conversation. Stay in prayer. Stay connected to people who can carry hope when yours feels shaky. God does not require clarity before He draws near. He responds to presence. Thomas found that out the moment he stayed instead of leaving. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just don’t leave the room.
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6 Comments
I truly needed this message. Lately, I've been feeling a little discouraged about where things are going with my job. Rather than act impulsively, I've decided to sit still and think it through.
This was a very good message and right on time for where I am in life
Thank you for this series. I needed it.
n
Feeling uncertainty with finding new church home where I once was highly active in, now I'm in my new neighborhood of finding a home amongst health, finances and relationship issues. I'm questioning so much. Needed to hear this.
I felt better after reading this.
n
nI'm going through a terrible time, but have kept in faith.
nGod Bless you, Pastor Coates. You're one of my favorites!
Thank God for His word and that His word does not come back void. Keep showing up!!!!