Imagine being remembered for only one event in your life.

“Doubting Thomas” could probably tell us how this feels.

One of the only disciples who was not present the first time Jesus appeared to his followers, Thomas declared that he would not believe that Jesus was alive until he could touch Jesus’s wounds. One week later, Jesus appeared to the disciples again. This time, Thomas saw his resurrected Savior with his own eyes. But Jesus addressed Thomas’s doubts directly:

[Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!”

John 20:27 GNT

Now, you might be wondering: Isn’t it kind of unfair that Jesus put Thomas in this situation? After all, it wasn’t just Thomas who had doubted. All the disciples had experienced an incredible amount of fear and discouragement in the days since Jesus’s death. Judas had betrayed Jesus. Peter had denied Jesus. Almost every other disciple had abandoned Jesus.

Wasn’t it natural for Thomas to doubt the news that Jesus was alive?

Jesus knew that his disciples would experience doubt. He knows that you and I face doubt, too. His encouragement to believe was not meant to shame Thomas. Instead, it was a joyful invitation for Thomas—and us—to experience the fullness of his promises. As Thomas touched his Savior’s wounds, his doubts about the resurrection vanished. He had been transformed from a doubter to a believer.

God’s Word shows us that Jesus is a trustworthy Savior who does what he says. Because of this, we have a sure answer for every doubt or fear we face. Like Jesus, we can show mercy to those who are struggling with doubt. And, like Thomas, we can trust Jesus to replace our doubts with faith.

When you face doubt, these three Scripture verses can encourage your faith.

Believe in God and his promises to you.

Doubt can lead you to feel worried, upset, and afraid. But Jesus reminds us that God’s promises are bigger than our fears. On the night before his death on the cross, our Savior encouraged his disciples with reminders of God’s goodness and love for his people. This gentle reminder to believe in God is still true for us today. We can fight against doubt and find encouragement in all circumstances of life by believing in God and his promises to us.

“Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them. “Believe in God and believe also in me.”

John 14:1 GNT

Trust God in everything you do.

Doubt can be the greatest enemy to decision-making. When you struggle with doubt, you might feel frozen and unable to move forward. God understands the uncertainties and insecurities we experience in life. That’s why he promises to guide our steps if we trust and follow him. If you’re dealing with doubt, look to God. Seek his wisdom in every decision you make. Trust him to show you the way, and he promises to make his will clear.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.

Proverbs 3:5-6 GNT

Pray boldly, expecting great things from God.

Doubt can stifle our prayers and shrink our expectations. If we think that something is impossible, why would we ask God to do it? God’s Word tells us that all things are possible for God. When we pray, Scripture instructs us to cast doubt aside and pray boldly, knowing that God hears us and can do even more than we could ever ask or imagine.

When you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord.

James 1:6-8 GNT