Word of the Week: Antibodies

I don’t get sick too often, but I’m often down for a while when I do. It’s miserable and I can’t wait to get back on my feet as soon as possible. Nobody ever likes getting sick, which is why our bodies actively fight against it. Our immune systems are wonderfully complex creations, but let’s think about antibodies for just a moment.

An antibody is a protein that your immune system produces to fight a disease. Once you’ve been exposed, your immune system starts creating antibodies to fight off that particular infection. Antibodies help us ensure that once we recover, we don’t get laid out by the same disease over and over again. Antibodies actually make us healthier in the long run.

On Sunday, we looked into the mirror of God’s Word and saw ourselves look back. “Doubting Thomas” isn’t the only one who doubts. We’re all Thomas. We all have lingering doubts or moments of unbelief as we follow Jesus in faith. Like an illness, nobody wants their faith to be riddled with doubts. We’d much rather be in perfect health. But just like the common cold won’t kill an otherwise healthy person, so doubts won’t shipwreck an otherwise healthy Christian.

By exposing our doubts and dealing with them together, we actually have the opportunity to grow healthier. Doubts make us wrestle with things we may have otherwise given little thought or taken for granted. A faith that has never experienced doubt is like a body that has never produced antibodies. It’s ripe for trouble! However, a faith that has worked through doubts is better prepared for the challenges of this life.

Brothers and sisters, don’t be afraid of your doubts. Don’t sweep away your lingering questions. See them as an opportunity to grow. What if God is using this challenge to give you a healthier, more robust faith?