Life.Church with Craig Groeschel

Episode: Faith in the Face of Doubt
Date: February 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode, led by Senior Pastor Craig Groeschel and a Co-Pastor, explores the difficult but universally relevant topic of doubt in the Christian faith. Through personal stories and a deep dive into the Old Testament story of the prophet Habakkuk, the pastors provide permission and encouragement for listeners to bring their toughest questions and struggles to God, emphasizing that doubt can be a pathway to a deeper, more authentic faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Doubt as a Universal Experience

• Personal Story of Doubt:
  • Pastor Craig recounts a memorable moment in 2017 when, despite a strong spiritual week, he was suddenly flooded by paralyzing doubt moments before preaching.
  • “Just like this paralyzing fear, like, what if all the stuff that I've built my whole life on is a lie?” (01:12)
• Normalizing Faith Questions:
  • Emphasis is placed on how faith and doubt are not mutually exclusive; periods of questioning are a natural part of the Christian journey.
  • "For most of us, it's not a matter of if we have a faith question or two, but it's more like when we do." (02:38)

2. Permission to Doubt and Honest Faith

• Encouragement to Be Real With God:
  • Listeners are given “permission to doubt,” not for doubt’s sake, but as a genuine vehicle for growth and deeper relationship with God.
  • “Doubt isn't the enemy of faith, but doubt is often a pathway to a deeper and more meaningful faith.” (05:06)
• The Benefit of Doubts:
  • The episode references Craig Groeschel’s new book, "The Benefit of Doubts," focusing on sincere, spiritual inquiry—not blind denial—as spiritually formative.

3. Lessons from Habakkuk: Wrestling and Embracing

• Habakkuk’s Relevance:
  • The story of the minor prophet Habakkuk is highlighted, focusing on his raw honesty with God during a time of chaos and suffering in ancient Judah (06:50).
  • “Real faith isn't denying doubt. It starts with being honest about doubt.” (09:46)
• The Meaning of Habakkuk’s Name:
  • “Habakkuk” means “to wrestle and to embrace”—symbolizing both questioning God and holding onto Him in faith (16:38).
  • “The name Habakkuk literally means this: it means to wrestle and to embrace. ... It's like the same motion with different emotion behind the motion.” (16:38)
• God’s Shocking Response & the Prophet’s Reaction:
  • When God responds that He’s raising up the Babylonians to judge Judah, Habakkuk wrestles, grieves, but continues to affirm God’s everlasting nature and faithfulness (18:02–19:59).
  • “Lord, are you not from everlasting?” (19:06)

4. Navigating Life’s Faith Crisis Moments

• Modern Parallels:
  • The pastors draw connections between Habakkuk’s experience and modern situations—failed prayers, betrayal by spiritual leaders, unanswered cries.
  • “What do you do with that? You believe in God, you love God, you trust God, you felt God, and then he doesn't do what you thought he should do.” (13:12)
• False Choices and the Third Way:
  • Rather than only denying either faith or doubts, Habakkuk models a “third way”: continue to seek, question, and pursue God amidst pain (15:13).
  • “...or you doubt and you keep seeking, you ask questions, and you still keep pursuing the heart and the presence of a very real and good God.” (15:13)

5. The Three Chapters of Faith (in Habakkuk)

• Chapter One: Wondering – Bringing questions and pain openly before God, even without answers or resolution (22:23).
• Chapter Two: Waiting – Enduring the tension and silence, trusting that God works even when unseen (23:29).
  • “If you're in chapter two, I want you to remember that while you're waiting, God is still working.” (23:39)
• Chapter Three: Trusting – Praising God for who He is, not just for what He does, exhibiting passionate, trusting worship called Shigenath (24:16).
  • “It's not praise for what's happening, but...this is praise for who God is.” (26:13)
  • “Though the fig tree does not bud...yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (27:06)

6. Practicing Honest Faith Today

• Craig’s 2017 Experience Revisited:
  • Despite last-minute doubts, Pastor Craig prays honestly, steps up, and as he preaches, his doubts subside and faith returns—not as a feeling, but as conviction (29:03–29:46).
  • “With the faith I had, I preached about Jesus. And as I preached about Jesus, the doubts just faded and the faith just grew back.” (29:37)
• Faith Amid Imperfection:
  • Faith doesn’t require suppressing or denying emotions, but clinging to God in all circumstances.
  • “Sometimes real faith isn't found in having all the answers, but it's found in not letting go of God.” (32:57)

7. Jesus as the Ultimate Example: Wrestling and Embracing

• Jesus in Gethsemane:
  • Even Jesus wrestled with God’s will in the garden before the crucifixion, but ultimately trusted God’s plan (33:44).
  • “Yet nevertheless, not my will, but your will be done. I don't want it, but I trust you.” (33:59)
• Invitation to Surrender:
  • Listeners are invited to bring honest hearts; those seeking faith are encouraged to surrender their lives to Jesus, acknowledging their need for Him (35:43).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Doubt isn’t the enemy of faith, but doubt is often a pathway to a deeper and more meaningful faith.” – Lead Pastor Craig Groeschel (05:06)
• “Real faith isn't having all the answers. It's asking the questions, but never, ever letting go of God.” – Lead Pastor (09:46)
• “The name Habakkuk literally means this. It means to wrestle and to embrace.” – Lead Pastor (16:38)
• “If you're in chapter two, I want you to remember that while you're waiting, God is still working.” – Lead Pastor (23:39)
• “This is a cry from the depths of my soul. This is a faith that worships even when everything feels wrong.” – Lead Pastor (27:06)
• “Sometimes real faith isn't found in having all the answers, but it's found in not letting go of God.” – Lead Pastor (32:57)

Important Timestamps

• 01:12 – Craig’s personal experience of sudden doubt before preaching
• 05:06 – Main thesis: doubt can be a pathway to deeper faith
• 09:46 – Real faith includes honesty about doubt
• 16:38 – The meaning of Habakkuk’s name: wrestle and embrace
• 18:11 – God’s response to Habakkuk: raising up the Babylonians
• 23:39 – “While you’re waiting, God is still working.”
• 24:16 – Introduction of “Shigenath” – wild, passionate praise in uncertainty
• 27:06 – Habakkuk’s declaration of faith amid loss
• 29:03–29:46 – Craig’s experience of preaching through doubt
• 32:57 – Real faith is not letting go
• 33:44–33:59 – Jesus’ “wrestle and embrace” in Gethsemane

Summary Flow & Tone

This episode offers empathetic, compassionate, and practical guidance for those struggling with faith and doubt. Using personal testimony, vivid biblical illustration, and relatable humor, Pastor Craig and his co-pastor affirm that questions and struggles are natural and can draw believers into a deeper relationship with God. The tone is warm, vulnerable, pastoral, and honest—never shaming doubt but always pointing towards hope and trust in God's character, even when circumstances remain difficult or confusing.

Final Encouragement

Listeners are left encouraged that wrestling with God is not faithlessness, but can be the soil from which authentic, resilient trust grows. Real faith, they stress, is seen not in the elimination of questions but in the refusal to let go of God amidst them.

For further information, resources, and next steps, listeners are directed to the Life.Church website and app.