Doubt

Minnows of Doubt

Last night, as I began to pray,

I felt them—

tiny minnows of doubt

swimming in the still pond of my mind.

They nibbled at the edges of my faith,

whispering,

Are you only speaking to yourself?

Then came a sudden knowing:

God already owns me.

Every atom,

every thread of this body,

woven by His hand.

Each heartbeat, each breath—

a miracle of His making.

But then…

If He owns me completely,

why does doubt remain?

The minnows returned—

some with teeth.

The paradox stood before me:

God’s full ownership,

and yet,

my free will.

Why grant the power to resist?

Perhaps because love is sweetest when chosen.

Perhaps because a willing heart delights Him most.

Faith is a crossroads.

Every day,

we choose.

I drifted into sleep,

faith steady for now,

while at the edges of vision

the minnows waited

for tomorrow night.

Gary Phillips 8/8/2025