**Thomas and the Heart That Still Believed Deeply in Jesus Even When He Was Broken**
While Thomas' doubts have been a part of popular culture since his doubts, we find a much larger and more hopeful picture when we study the entire passage about Thomas. While Thomas has long been known as "Doubting Thomas," it would be unfair to describe him solely on the basis of his one moment of doubt. Before Thomas doubted, he showed great courage.
In **John 11**, Jesus told His disciples that He wanted to return to Judea after Lazarus died. However, returning to Judea was dangerous for Jesus, since the religious leaders had previously attempted to kill Him. The disciples feared going to Judea because they understood that returning to Judea could result in death.
However, Thomas responded with courage and loyalty.
“Let's go with Him, so we can all die with Him,” Thomas said to the rest of the disciples (see John 11:16). Those were not the words of a coward. Instead, those were the words of a loyal follower who was determined to follow Jesus wherever He went.
Therefore, the crucifixion caused Thomas to experience intense emotional pain. Thomas had chosen to follow Jesus. Thomas had prayed to Jesus. Thomas had trusted Jesus. Thomas had witnessed many of Jesus' miracles. Thomas had placed his hopes in Jesus. However, when Thomas saw Jesus being arrested, tortured, crucified, and buried, he realized that Jesus was dead.
Therefore, his doubts were not based on a hatred for God. Instead, they were rooted in a broken heart.
There are times in life when our hearts become so sore that even the most faithful individuals among us wonder why we continue to ask big questions. It is not because they do not love God anymore. Rather, it is because their heart is broken due to the hurt, they have suffered.
When Thomas heard that the other disciples claimed they had seen Jesus alive after His death, he found himself unable to accept the news.
“If I don't physically see the holes in His hands and place my fingers in them — and also see and touch His resurrected side — I won't believe it.” Thomas said to the other disciples (see John 20:25).
Thomas needed assurance. He required evidence. He desired hope once again.
And what did Jesus do?
He didn't cast him aside. He didn't shame him. He didn't tell him to get lost. He didn't say, “What kind of fool do you think I am?”
Instead, Jesus drew near to Thomas with compassion.
“Look at My hands,” Jesus instructed Thomas. “Touch Me” (see John 20:27).
Jesus allowed Thomas to witness His wounds.
The Resurrected Saviour recognized that beyond Thomas’ doubts lay a wounded heart that still cared for Him very deeply. Jesus did not destroy Thomas in his weakness. Instead, Jesus healed him.
In that sacred moment, Thomas made one of the strongest statements of faith in Scripture.
“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (see John 20:28).
It was after Jesus restored Thomas that he became the first Christian to declare openly that Christ was divine.
Thus, Thomas was never merely a doubter. Rather, he was a wounded believer who was restored by the love of Jesus.
**Word of the Day: Restoration**
Restoration refers to restoring something which has been damaged or injured to its original condition — i.e., restored to full strength and usefulness.
Sometimes our lives can cause serious damage or injury. Disappointments and unfulfilled expectations or unanswered prayers or betrayal or loss or rejection or failure or grief can leave our faith feeling tired and weak. Though we continue to pray, we may still be fighting an internal battle.
However, there is good news:
Jesus restores wounded hearts.
Jesus restored Thomas. Jesus restored Peter after his denial of Christ. Jesus restored David after his failures. And Jesus can restore you as well.
Your weakness is not indicative of your future or your potential as a believer. Your painful experiences are not indicative of your entire story. God still heals hearts. God still rebuilds faith. God still gives strength to weary people.
**When Pain Causes Faith To Be Difficult**
There are periods in life when faith is difficult.
You pray for employment and no opportunities arise. You pray for healing and the pain persists. You work diligently and no progress is evident. You attempt to hold onto hope despite repeated setbacks.
At times you might even feel embarrassed about spiritual battles because you assume mature Christians should never be spiritually weak. However, the Bible reveals that even faithful followers have experienced fear, confusion, weakness, and pain.
Elijah grew despondent. David mournfully lamented in despair. Job questioned his sufferings. Thomas doubted after experiencing severe personal loss.
Although God has not forsaken these men nor women,
Nor will He abandon you either.
There are instances when people with wounded faith still carry significant amounts of love for God within themselves. Although you may currently feel worn-out emotionally today, God has not deserted you.
He perceives the secret battles occurring internally in your heart.
He recognizes the tears you shed alone. He recognizes the prayers you whisper when no one is paying attention. He recognizes your weariness behind your smiling face.
Just as He came close to Thomas in compassion, Jesus still approaches people today who are experiencing sorrow.
Imagine you have been searching for a job for months. Each morning you wake with optimism. You submit resumes. You prepare each resume meticulously. You participate in interviews hoping that this time, something will finally happen.
However, each application leads to a rejection letter.
As such, your self-confidence gradually disappears. You begin questioning whether God has forgotten about you. You still pray — however your prayers feel heavier than usual today. You still believe — however fear develops quietly inside your heart.
On occasion someone will glance outwardly at you today and perceive that you appear fine — however inwardly your faith feels battered.
This is the manner in which many people secretly exist.
Additionally — perhaps this is how Thomas felt after witnessing the crucifixion of Jesus. Perhaps he expected to find victory through faith — therefore he loved Jesus greatly — nevertheless his heart was now breaking.
The comfort message is:
Your present period of difficulty will come to an end someday.
Jesus can surprise you with restoration when you least anticipate it.
**Today's encouragement**
If your faith appears wounded today — do not flee from Jesus — instead approach Him with reverence and share with Him where your heart is hurting — tell Him what you are uncertain about — tell Him where your heart feels fatigued.
Jesus does not abhor your honest confession.
He already knows your heart — and He still loves you dearly. He patiently deals with believers whose hearts are broken. He is merciful towards broken-hearted souls. He restores those whose hearts are broken.
Your story is not finished — your faith can rise again — your peace can be renewed — your joy can be revitalized.
The same Jesus who drew close to Thomas still draws close to wounded hearts today.
**Blessing**
God blesses every broken area of your life and every disappointing aspect of your journey.
God strengthens your faith regardless of how difficult the circumstances surrounding you may be and reminds you that He has not forgotten you.
God mends every hidden wound within your heart and replaces fear with peace.
God opens up doors of opportunity, favor, healing, and breakthrough for you at the appropriate time.
God surrounds you with hope during times when life weighs heavily upon you and provides you with the courage to continue believing again.
God constantly reminds you throughout each day that your story is not finished — nor will it be finished until better days arrive again.
**Prayer**
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You because You know every wounded heart. Thank You because You will not reject us when we are experiencing spiritual weakness or fear or uncertainty. Just as You restored Thomas, restore each person reading this article today.
Restore every broken area of their lives. Strengthen their feeble hearts. Renew their wavering faith where disappointment has caused their hope to dwindle. Remind them that their struggles do not define them and that Your love will endure even during challenging periods.
Help them trust in You once more. Grant them peace in areas where they are uncertain. Give them strength in areas where they feel powerless. Provide them with courage to move forward when life is overwhelming.
Open doors that no human power can shut down. Bring healing where there exists only pain. Provide provisions where there presently exists a void. Bringing hope where there exists only discouragement.
Thank You because You continue to operate behind-the-scenes even though they may not be able to see it yet.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
**Golden Nugget**
Occasionally those who question God the most are not those farthest from Him. Occasionally they are those who loved deeply — and thus were deeply wounded. Jesus will not desert wounded believers — rather He will restore them with compassion — mercy — and love.