So You're Questioning Your Faith, What Next?
By Toby Armstrong
If you're in this place, you’re not alone. Many of us have been there — and some of us are still there. Whether you’ve found yourself here because of a life event, a conversation, or simply a sense of unease about what you’ve always believed, the good news is that questioning your faith can be a powerful step in your spiritual journey.
Here’s what you can do next:
At The Outpost, we often talk about the importance of rest. And in this season of questioning, rest might look like giving yourself permission to pause. Rest in the fact that it's okay not to have all the answers. Doubt is not the enemy of faith — it's often the companion that leads us into a deeper relationship with God.
Rest also means creating space to heal from any pain or trauma you may have experienced in toxic institutional church environments. If you're feeling hurt, give yourself the grace to step back and breathe. Remember, faith is not the absence of doubt; it is continuing the journey, knowing that God is waiting for us right around the next corner.
When you’re questioning your faith, it's an opportunity to reset your perspective. This doesn’t mean abandoning everything you’ve believed; instead, it's a chance to revisit and re-evaluate what holds true for you. Engage in honest conversations, whether with trusted friends, mentors, or a community that welcomes your questions.
Resetting might also involve re-examining the beliefs that you’ve inherited or grown up with. Allow yourself to be curious, to explore new ideas, and to hold space for the possibility that your faith can grow in unexpected ways. This might mean acknowledging and healing from the effects of harmful teachings or practices. Remember, resetting is about finding freedom, not living under the weight of someone else's expectations or rules.
Once you've allowed yourself to rest and reset, it’s time to reimagine everything. What could faith look like if it wasn’t bound by fear, shame, or the pressure to conform? What if you could see this season of questioning as an adventure rather than a crisis?
Reimagining faith means being open to new perspectives, exploring different spiritual practices, and finding God in places you may not have looked before. It’s about leaning into the possibility that there is more to discover — about God, about yourself, and about the world around you. This is an invitation to see faith not as a static set of beliefs but as a dynamic, living journey.
Faith thrives in community, where we learn from each other’s perspectives, struggles, and wisdom. Find a safe space to voice your questions — whether that's a trusted friend, a mentor, or a small group that encourages open dialogue.
It’s okay to admit that you don’t have all the answers. The journey of faith is a collective one, where we grow together, wrestle with difficult questions, and celebrate the beauty of discovering new truths. Don’t isolate yourself in your doubt; bring it to the table, and you might find others are wrestling with the same questions.
The journey of faith is not a straight line. It's full of twists and turns, mountains, and valleys. Trust that wherever you are right now is part of your process. God is not just at the destination — God is with you in the journey. In the questions, in the doubts, in the moments of clarity, and in the moments of confusion, God is present.
“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.” -Brennan Manning
Above all, remember this: you are loved. Not for your certainty, your understanding, or your unwavering faith, but for exactly who you are, questions and all. Your value isn't measured by the strength of your convictions but by the unchanging truth that you are a beloved child of God.
