Doubt is a lot like the wind—you can't physically see it but you know when it's there. Since it's tough to relate to something we can't see it makes sense why we use metaphors like a downward slope or a raging river when we talk about doubt.

In Steve Johnson's article Believing in Doubt he describes doubt as being on a bridge between faith and unbelief. “When we believe something we are of one mind in accepting it as true. When we disbelieve, we are of one mind about rejecting something. To doubt is to hang somewhere between the two, being of two minds—double-minded. We are open towards both believing and unbelieving.” Doubt in and of itself is not sin. Having two minds about something simply means you haven't yet decided what you believe in a particular matter.

It's an important distinction. However, you also can't live forever in a double-minded state of doubt. If you are going to live by faith, you must deal with your doubts and move across the bridge towards belief. Like James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord,” (James 1:5-7 NIV).

Doubt leaves us unsettled and restless. When we live in perpetual doubt it may feel like our life is random…hanging in the balance. I know when I've struggled to make a decision and have doubted I would easily become overwhelmed. It felt like it was easier to hide and do nothing. But once I actually made a decision, the unsettled restless feelings came to an end and I felt once again like my feet were on firm ground. It was after the doubts were wrestled with and the decision made I could walk steadily with confidence towards a well-marked destination.

Faith is the same. When we choose to trust God's promises we leave our doubts behind on the bridge. Once we leave the bridge we are able to plant our feet firmly on the solid ground of belief. It is after we choose belief our path becomes more clear and less random. No longer are we just tossed around by life.

Christ welcomes honest doubters (think of John the Baptist, Thomas, and the father in Mark 9:24 who exclaimed “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”). God is not so fragile that a few questions will change what is true. However, when you find yourself doubting make sure you're honestly seeking answers, not just more questions. Otherwise you may slowly move towards the other side of the bridge, unbelief. And that is where sin lies.