Don’t Let Doubt Take You Out: Pastor Todd Has the Fix-All for Fear and Anxiety

YOUR COMMON ENEMY

According to Webster’s dictionary doubt is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. Doubt damages your self-worth and your relationships. Even more important it can disintegrate the foundations of what you believe and cause you to disconnect from your faith and walk away from God. “Knowing how to defeat doubt before it takes you out is a critical skill that each of us must learn. If you don’t deal with doubt, you can miss out on the life God has for you. It will cause you to not step out and take risks. Todd shares, “God is always calling us to increase, to expand, to stretch, to take on more. He doesn’t want you staying where you are. God wants to do more in and through you than you could ever imagine.”

TODD’S STORY

Your doubts and fears can cripple your spirit and keep you from living the life God intended for you to live. However, if you stay rooted in God – through Scripture, prayer, community, and worship – you can navigate your doubts to deepen your trust in God and strengthen your faith. Todd shares times in his own life when he wrestled with doubt:

• Horrific Accident –Todd and Julie traveled to Colorado to go hiking in the mountains. They saw other people in the resort load their bikes onto chairlifts with the intent to ride them down the mountain. Todd convinced Julie to do the same. As they began the descent, Julie picked up speed quickly. She hit a rock, was thrown through the air, and landed on her back. Julie was barely conscious and unable to move from her neck down. Todd called 911. A few moments later all the feeling came back, and she could feel everything. For two hours they were stranded on the side of the mountain because the vegetation kept them hidden from the mountain patrol. When help finally arrived, Julie was taken to the hospital where they discovered she had a fractured back, broken shoulder, collapsed lung, and five shattered ribs. Doctors were working hard to make sure her vital organs were functioning properly. After a long recovery, Julie regained her strength. However, this incident affected Todd’s sense of adventure and he began to doubt his ability to make decisions and protect his wife. Todd dealt with the doubts he faced by speaking God’s promises over his life and replacing lies of the enemy with truth.

• Christ Fellowship Church – When Todd and Julie stepped into the role of Senior Pastors at Christ Fellowship, they had already been on staff for over twenty years serving Todd’s parents’ vision of the church. Understandably, Todd felt intimidated to follow in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Tom Mullins. In addition, John Maxwell, an international speaker and leadership expert, attended the church and often sat on the front row listening to him. “I felt myself constantly comparing my preaching to John’s or my dad’s,” shares Todd. Comparing himself to his dad or John was stirring up feelings of insecurity and doubt. Todd decided to deal with the doubt that was trying to derail him. He went up to John after the service and asked him to coach him. As a result of John’s coaching, Todd’s communication skills improved.

• Jefferson – When Todd and Julie got married, they knew they wanted to have lots of children. However, their seven-year infertility journey delayed their dream to become parents. Thankfully, in 1995, their prayers were answered when their son Jefferson was born. Although they were thankful for their son, they were heartbroken when he stopped reaching some of his developmental milestones at age 2. Doctors told them that Jefferson was on the autism spectrum. They prayed for his healing, and he slowly began to thrive. At five years old, Jefferson began to speak. However, all that changed when he turned 13. Jefferson began experiencing unexplainable neurological and psychological episodes which caused him to regress and lose his will to live. This all happened as Todd and Julie were stepping up to be the senior pastors of the church. “It was one of the darkest and most difficult times we ever faced,” shares Todd. Instead of isolating himself, Todd purposefully surrounded himself with people of faith who reminded him how God could still do miracles. Eighteen months later, Jefferson began to experience some breakthrough. He began playing guitar and joined a local theater group. He graduated from high school and went on to college graduating at the top of his class. In 2020, Jefferson married the girl of his dreams, Cassie. He is a worship leader to the students at Christ Fellowship Church. Todd says, “While Jefferson’s story is still being written, we continue to make declarations of faith over his future.”

In looking back on storms he has weathered through the years, Todd can now see that God used them for his good. He reveals, “When the storm is over and the clouds have parted, you realize you’ve come through stronger, more resilient…what I discovered without my realizing it is my doubt had strengthened my faith.” 

DEFEAT DOUBT
    
When it comes to comparing yourself to others, there are some things you can do to remove doubt: (1) Be self-aware – don’t allow yourself to be intimidated by people who have accomplished more than you; (2) Set personal goals – focus on your own personal growth and achievements; (3) Limit social media – reduce time on social media so you can lessen your exposure to the unrealistic portrayals of other people’s lives; (4) Cultivate gratitude – shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you do have, and you will find more contentment; (5) Flip the script – seek to understand what motivates successful people and it might inspire you, and (6) See yourself the way God sees you – God does not compare you to anyone else. 

Many people around you struggle with doubt. They may be questioning their self-worth or doubting God’s goodness. You can be a source of hope and strength for them by being attentive and responding to their doubts with the compassion and grace that Christ has shown you. 

TODD’S STORY

Todd and Julie are the Senior Pastors of Christ Fellowship Church. Under their leadership, Christ Fellowship has continued its growth as a multi-site congregation that gathers thousands in South Florida each week and digitally reaches thousands beyond the region through Christ Fellowship Everywhere. Their leadership expands beyond the walls of Christ Fellowship as they serve the South Florida region and beyond. They are the founders of Church United, a partnership of local churches across various denominations that join together to transform South Florida. Todd and Julie also serve on the lead team of the Association of Related Churches (ARC) and on the board of directors for Place of Hope Children's Home in South Florida. They are both frequently invited to speak at churches and conferences around the globe.
 

For more information on Todd Mullins click the LINK! 

CREDITS

Author, Don’t Let Doubt Take You Out (Charisma House, 2025); Senior Pastor of Christ Fellowship Church, one of the top ten largest churches in America, with sixteen campus locations across South Florida; Serves on the lead team of the Association of Related Churches, a global church planting organization, and the board of directors for Place of Hope Children’s Home in South Florida which cares for children and families in the foster care system; Speaker; Married to his seventh-grade sweetheart, Julie; Children: Jefferson and Cassie