Doubting to a deeper faith

God spoke to me this weekend through Pastor Graham's message, regarding doubt. He says "doubt can be a doorway to deeper faith." Hmmm. I never looked at doubt that way. I always thought, doubting is bad...gotta find a way to stop doubting, somehow. But it dawned on me as I reflect on my struggles over the last several months. How God was using that doubt to deepen my faith. It is amazing to look back at God's work on your life and realize how He turned a difficult and painful thing into something that carries me forward. I may encounter even more troubling times ahead and I would only be able to endure it through faith, one step at a time. 

Pastor also challenged us to exercise our faith. I've heard this before but always wondered how to apply it practically. He gave some examples in giving, or serving. And I realized that as I've reached out in faith to serve by teaching in Nathan's preschool class, I've suddenly come to enjoy it. I look forward to teaching and seeing those little faces every other week. It's just amazing how God turns things around when I keep saying to Him "No I can't do it." 

You can imagine my delight as I read: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5