Questioning vs. Doubting

"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."  James 1:6 
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Trials, what we know to be challenges in life, test our faith.  We look at circumstances and so many things begin to cross our minds.  So how do we know if we are questioning or doubting? This is an important question because Scripture tells us to ask in faith without doubting.

As we go through life, it is inevitable that we will face circumstances that seem overwhelming, extremely painful, and just plain confusing.  If we are honest, life is hard (Psalm 34:19).  When life’s challenges come our way, we experience certain emotions that we would not normally experience when all is seemingly well.  If we focus on those emotions and meditate on them continuously, we will begin to doubt God and His character.  To doubt God means that we are not confident in the character of God and His faithfulness to do what He promised to do.  We trust our emotions, we focus on our circumstances, and we lean more towards what we see going on around us rather than what we see in the Scripture.  We listen to the surmounting fears that rise from our anxiety and lack of trust in God.  On the other hand, when we question, we seek to understand and we want to know if we are being led by the Lord and if we are in His will.
 
Once we determine whether we are doubting or questioning, we need to strengthen our faith in God and evaluate our thoughts and what we believe.  Ask yourself, is there anything too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:27)? If He sent Christ, His only Son, to die for my sins, is there anything that He would not do for me or withhold from me if I am in need (Romans 8:32)?  Will I believe the lies of Satan or will I trust the love, integrity, and character of my faithful Heavenly Father who cannot lie (John 8:44; Numbers 23:19)?