The Greek verb distazo (from dis, 'twice,' + a root meaning 'stand') pictures being 'double-standing' — pulled in two directions at once, unable to commit to one position. It describes internal wavering or doubt, particularly in relation to faith.
Jesus uses distazo in two pointed encounters with Peter. When Peter begins to sink walking on water: 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' (Matthew 14:31). At the post-resurrection appearance: 'When they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted' (Matthew 28:17). The word does not describe intellectually worked-out unbelief but the paralysis of being caught between faith and fear, trust and self-reliance. The remedy is not better reasoning but turning the gaze back to Jesus — as Peter's cry 'Lord, save me!' (Matthew 14:30) demonstrates.