Someone once asked me, “why do we doubt?”. It is a very good question and I doubt my answers will suffice, but I hope they will shed some light on the subject nevertheless.
Doubt is a lack of confidence. Doubt is a calculating function that – based on previous experiences – let’s you assess a person or a situation and determine your level of certainty or confidence in it.
A lack of confidence in oneself can also be a source of doubt. When we feel inadequate, demotivated, or confused, we may fuel an inner sense of doubt – doubting ourselves, our abilities, values, conscience, and so on. Sometimes, doubting a person or circumstance may simply be a reflection of our own, inner doubt.
Fear can also play a part in doubt. When feeling fearful or fearless, I imagine our sense of doubt – or lack thereof – does depend on our inner state of experience. Resolving doubt dissolves fear. Or perhaps it works the other way around.
Doubt is not a pleasant experience. To build confidence in ourselves, in the people around us and in our circumstances, we must try to identify the source of our doubt. Is the doubt justified – emotionally, rationally or intuitively? Consider your doubt in the light of your emotions and rational thinking and intuition – are they in sync or disagreeing with each other? When feeling doubtful, is there an inner experience of fear or a lack of confidence – in yourself, in a person or circumstance? Do you play a role in the perception of doubt?