Did you know that the Space Needle in Seattle Washington was two thirds completed when one of the inspectors found numerous large air pockets within it's foundation? This resulted in it being completely torn down so that a proper foundation could first be laid. Sometimes God helps us this way. But you can bet the process of tearing down can seem quite devastating to us. But it's important to first have a proper foundation.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall." - Matt. 7:24-27

A faulty foundation is a breeding ground for doubt. For example, if you believe when we become saved we no longer have any trouble with sin, and then you have trouble with sin, you might doubt if you're saved. To this person I would recommend they read the Apostle Paul's trouble he had with sin in Romans 7:14-25. So on a wider scale if your faith is seated on incorrect foundations, or foundations with incorrect facts, the results can be drastic. In the above verse both had houses built, it wasn't until the storms came did they discover the latters faulty foundation.

Many believers in regard to their faith are often faced with the doubt "how do I know this is true". For me this was one of many, as Max Lucado puts it, doubtstorms. You see, Christians come to know Christ through a vast variety of circumstances. And many put their faith in Him without knowing the full implications as to why they believe, and that's okay! For blessed is he who does not see and believe. (John 20:29). But for those who are faced with the doubt "how do I know this is true", we are often not settled with what is labeled "blind faith" anymore. And you know what, God is ok with that. God invited Isaiah saying "come let us reason together". (Isa. 1:18) When John doubted, Jesus sent His disciples to him testifying to all the miracles they witnessed Him do. (Matt. 11:1-5) When Thomas said "Unless I see in His hands the imprints of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." Jesus had him see with his own eyes, and reach with his own fingers, and put his hand in His side (John 20:25-27).

You see believing in Christ doesn't make it true, it's true therefore we believe it. And because it's true it will hold up to the test of reasoning and science. Science that is based on seeking the truth testifies of God. Contrary to what skeptics say, Christians are never called on to commit intellectual suicide in order to believe in God. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Faith and reason go hand in hand, they are not at war with each other, they are allies. Jackie Hudson writes: "Faith can operate because we have reason to believe; and because we have reason to believe, faith can operate where our reason leaves off." In otherwords, we can trust God for what we can't see because He has made true on what we can see (Rom. 1:20). Jesus pleaded with His disciples this way;

"Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. - John 14:11

Many of us have experienced a closeness to Christ through many different circumstances that was so evident we could feel it. This often happens at conversion. After all, the assembly of heaven rejoiced with praise when you were born of Christ. (Luke 15:7,10) However the temptation with this we face as Christians is to base our faith on these situations. Almost every doubter asks at one time or another, why doesn't God just make it cut and dry. Why doesn't He not just come out with something miraculous that shows a definite clear sign to the right way, surely this would cinch my doubts. The problem is He has, and He does (Rom. 1:20), but faith based on a foundation of miracles doesn't work. A sign from God would have to be something that man cannot do thus proving it's authenticity, this process is summed up in the word miracle. And as we learn from examples, faith based on miracles doesn't last. For a person who's faith rests in miracles needs a constant supply of miracles to keep their faith sustained, which really doesn't sustain it at all. An excellent example of faith based on miracles not working can be found in Exodus. When God led those who He called "My people" out of Egypt. These people witnessed many miracles, first the 10 plagues on Egypt (Exodus chapters 7 - 11). Then on their journey out of Egypt God presented many more miracles; dividing the sea, bread from heaven, pouring water out of rocks, and more (Exo. chapters 11 - 17). God even personally led them in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. (Exo. 13:21). Often following the miracles the Israelites would praise God and trust Him for a short time (Exo. 14:31), that is until another problem arose, and despite the fact God took them thus far, and all the miracles they had witnessed, they still doubted and despaired death. And they grumbled against God. (Exo. 14:11, 15:24, 16:2. 17:2). Miracles reaffirm faith, but faith that rests on a foundation of miracles stands to falter.

As we've seen, a faulty foundation gives great opportunity for doubts to arise, but a person who has good reason to believe hangs around spite the pain and turmoil they're enduring from their house crumbling. Want to hear Peters reason? Jesus had just got done preaching some hard to swallow material, and many who were listening to him walked off. When Jesus saw His disciples still hanging around, even though they may have not understood the message yet, Jesus asked them why they too had not left. Heed Peter's response.

So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. "We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." - John 6:67-69

Peter understood that apart from God there is no hope for anyone. The world offers nothing. One thing everyone agrees on is that someday we will die. (Incidentally, I think this further validates scripture for if the disciples like Peter understood this, would they have reason to try and make it up? I think not.)

I am amazed at just how much resources there are outside the bible that testifies and at times shouts of the validity of the bible, and God. However these things cannot take the place of God's Word, they simply point you to it. And because the Word of God is living and active and able to pierce your innermost being, (Heb. 4:12) it can do what outside sources can't.

So in order to deal with this kind of doubt you need to get an accurate understanding of what and why you believe. Do not be afraid to seek the truth, start with the basics of Christianity. Find a close brother who's willing to disciple you, find a fellowship or bible study that is teaching the fundamental principles of Christianity. Even if you consider yourself a longtime Christian, do not be ashamed to join a new believers group. There's also some excellent apologetic resources out there, your local church library would be a great place to start. Pickup a book or two from trusted authors and learn from the wisdom God gave them. Once you realize that your faith is based on true facts and is not just fantasy (subconsciously), you will find yourself more bold in your commitment to God. That in itself could be a reason for the tear down in the first place. God wants all of you. He loves you that much.

You may have found yourself like me, who still had persistent illogical doubts that remain despite good reasoning and facts. I had times where I felt that if Jesus had come to me like Thomas did, I felt I would still doubt and that really troubled me. My doubts had other roots that went beyond a faulty foundation. We will discuss those in articles to come.