Doubt. Disaster or opportunity?

Question

Hakuin likened doubt to the rhinoceros - a huge and powerful beast, standing in your path. But he also said, "Great doubt, great enlightenment - small doubt, small enlightenment."

In you practce, how do you transform doubt from a disaster to an opportunity for growth?

Answer 1

Doubt must be paired with Faith. With doubt and faith opposing each other a determination to resolve the issue may be born. The greater the doubt and the greater the faith, the greater the determination to realize the truth of the matter.



Kuma

Answer 2

Amazing how the religious mind works:



"Think about the disaster that happened in Haiti with their huge earthquake. It's true they haven't been able to recover yet or completely or rebuild much at all, but many have learned to trust in Jesus,"



So, my entire family has been wiped out, I have no food, I have nowhere to live, there is cholera which can kill in 4 hours and I don't know if there will be another earthquake but, hey, I've been told I can trust in Jesus.



TRUST? Trust to do what? Stop earthquakes, stop cholera, find me a house or some food, destroy infidels with earthquakes?



Doubt is good in religious contexts - doubt everything with all your being.

Answer 3

Hey that's a good question for a Christian!!! Yes, every disaster can become an opportunity for growth!



Think about the disaster that happened in Haiti with their huge earthquake. It's true they haven't been able to recover yet or completely or rebuild much at all, but many have learned to trust in Jesus, the author and finisher of true life. They have learned to sing and to praise God and the Lord has given them peace, love, and joy! And when they die they will go to heaven to be with our wonderful Lord forever!



So, it is well worth it if this is the only thing that will bring you around to reality. Jesus is Lord!



Salvation (simple version):



For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23,



24 I can guarantee this truth: A single grain of wheat doesn’t produce anything unless it is planted in the ground and dies. If it dies, it will produce a lot of grain. 25 Those who love their lives will destroy them, and those who hate their lives in this world will guard them for everlasting life. John 12:24-25 (GOD’S WORD Translation)



Come and let us reason together says the Lord:

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as snow;

Though they be like crimson, they shall be whiter than wool.

Isaiah 1:18



For the sorrow according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death. II Corinthians 7:10



If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us all our sins, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. I John 1:9



Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man (or woman or child) hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me. Revelation 3:20, see also Ezekiel 36:26



Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, and times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19



For as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on His name. John 1:12, see also Ephesians 2:8-10



If any man (woman or child) be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17, see also Ez. 36:27



Read also John 1 and 3.

Answer 4

The analysis is flawed.

Great doubt can lead to rejection of enlightenment because of fear.

It is not the size of the cause of doubt that matters but our response to it.