My Doubting Thomas Experience
By Amy White
John 20:24-29 tells us the story of the disciples relaying to Thomas that they had seen the Lord, but Thomas said, “Unless I see…I will not believe.” Then Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Do we believe what the Word says and live accordingly, or do we trust our senses and physical experiences instead?
In 2024, my husband, Geoff, and I visited a neighbor’s house to see an Australian Shepherd available for adoption. I had been hoping to find a female Blue Aussie puppy to join us, but they were costly, so I prayed for God's help. Our neighbor had 15 dogs and was recently diagnosed with cancer, leading to her needing to rehome one. The situation looked promising because she had a one-year-old puppy named Little Lady, who possessed the qualities we were looking for. The owner brought her over the next evening, and we decided to try her out to see how she would get along with our other Australian Shepherd, Penny.
I had her inside for about an hour, then she started to tinkle a little here and there, so I assumed she needed to go to the bathroom. I put a harness and leash on her because I didn’t know what she would do. As soon as I set her down on the grass, she rolled violently, and before I could grab her, she broke free from her harness and bolted into the night. My heart sank as I realized we had coyotes all around us. I called her owner, who arrived immediately to help search. We prayed, cried, and drove down every street trying to find her. Nothing. My husband had left to visit family out of state so I was alone looking. I kept searching, sang praises to God, and clung to Scripture, believing she would be found alive and safe.
After five hours, I decided to call it a night. I woke up at dawn to make flyers and posted them on every door and business nearby. We also shared her information online, hoping that someone would see it and help us reunite.
That night, I put on my night gear and ventured into the dark woods to continue my search. I saw numerous coyotes and challenged them to confront me. I was determined. We live on 13 acres, with an additional 100 acres surrounding us that also needed searching. As I walked and looked, I encountered a neighbor who said, “Oh, I heard a pack of coyotes when she got loose, so I’m sure she was torn apart.” My heart dropped. He added, “You shouldn’t be out here tonight; I would go home and try again tomorrow.”
I followed his advice and walked home, fighting back tears until I reached my room. Once inside, I completely broke down, crying and screaming at God. “WHY, GOD???!!! She was so beautiful, and now she’s gone! Why did this have to happen? I’m so angry right now!” I called Geoff, and he heard my screams and tears. He decided to cut his trip short and come back home.
As soon as I finished the phone call, God asked me, “How do you know she’s dead? Have you seen her body?”
“Well, no,” I admitted. I fell asleep, worn out. The next day, I looked everywhere for a body, but I never found one. Geoff arrived home and helped me search, but we found nothing. “God,” I prayed, “I just need something. Is she dead or alive?”
Around 9:00 p.m. that evening, I received a call from her owner, saying, “Someone saw her, she’s halfway between your house and mine!” Praise God! She’s alive!
At that moment, I felt God speak to me, “You trusted a human's word over Mine.”
“Oh, Father, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
We hurried out the door to aid in the search. I believed that because she was alive, God would make sure she returned home safely. The following day, drained from 72 hours of adrenaline, I received a call from her owner: “A search and rescue team contacted me and wants to help find her.” What a relief! More help in the search. They set traps and deployed a team with walkie-talkies in the area where she was last seen. The very next day, they spotted her. After several hours of pursuit, she was finally reunited with her owner, unharmed. I went from feeling extremely low to incredibly high in just four days.
As I reflected on this experience, I realized that I began this trial by praising God that He would bring her home safely, quoting Scripture, and encouraging her owner not to lose hope, assuring her that she would be found alive and well. However, midway through, I chose to believe a person’s words over God's, and I lost faith. God gently reminded me that, regardless of what I experience or what others say, I must trust in Him and His Word above all else. What does God’s Word say about Him? He loves us and cares for the animals as well. As His children, He desires to bless us with good things. Just as He shut the mouths of lions for Daniel, He also closed the mouths of coyotes for Little Lady. Even if we feel discouraged, He remains on the throne and is gracious to us. He instructs us not to fear, stress, or doubt His goodness.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
We must choose to believe what the Word says and walk accordingly, trusting that God keeps His Word and cannot lie. Remember, God’s ways are much higher than our ways, and we may not understand what is happening around us, but we can rest in the goodness of the Lord each day, trusting that He has our best interests at heart.
Amy is a Nurse Practitioner who has recently been called into full-time ministry. She is passionate about repairing broken marriages, leading people to Christ, and the mission field. This story has been shared with permission of Time to Get Ready Ministries. For more information, please visit https://timetogetready.org.
World Church Prayer Requests
August 1 — 7, 2025
World Church: Pray for the International ASI (Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries) Convention that is going on in Orlando this weekend. Pray for the many Holy Spirit led networking opportunities that will take place, and for all the Christ-centered beautiful supporting ministries that are represented.
United Kingdom: Pray for the Norwich Church as they seek to unite on various in-reach and outreach projects in 2025. Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill the newly formed small groups as they seek to engage in the community and plant Sabbath School groups and churches.
Zimbabwe: Pray for the Women’s Ministries across the country as they seek to remain steadfast in the face of troubles and uncertainties and press forward on their knees in service to God and others.
United States: Pray for the Fairburn Fountain of Life SDA Company as they seek to establish their own place of worship in the community they have been reaching out to. Pray also that the members are strengthened and encouraged by Jesus as they connect with their community.
Philippines: Pray for the Intervarsity SDA Church as they have been given only a few weeks to relocate into a new church building. Pray that the members will be united in purpose and passion that God’s plan will be evident as they move into a new location and begin work in a new community.
Uganda: Pray that the Holy Spirit will move ahead of the workers in the Literature Ministries Canvassing Outreach program and open hearts of interested persons. Pray that many books will be delivered to eager hands and ready hearts.
Scotland: Please pray for The Last Elijah Revival Weekend taking place in Glasgow Church between the 21st to 24th of August. May the Holy Spirit prepare the church for what Jesus desires to do in the members’ hearts and through their lives and their congregation.