Why Do You Believe in God?
Reasons For Having Faith
“…whoever approaches him must trust that he does exist and that he becomes a rewarder to those who seek him out” Hebrews 11:6b (CJB)
When the going is great, it is easy to believe and wax stronger in our faith but when the chips are down, we sometimes find ourselves wondering and may even stumble in our faith walk. In the spirit of Easter, I asked some people why they believe in God and compiled their responses below as a message to anyone who may be struggling with their faith, or anyone who just needs a reminder. I hope this encourages you and you don’t stop believing. Shalom!
Sarah*: as a child, I believed in God simply because that’s what we were taught but as I grew older, I gradually I began to experience him for myself and know him more. Believing now came from a place of understanding not just what I was taught by my parents. Now, I believe in God because his presence has felt real more times than I can count. Besides my personal encounters, I have seen God in the lives of people and it’s amazing. However, with the issues of life, it didn’t see amazing anymore and there were some times when I doubted God, but in all, his sovereignty wins.
When I say I began to feel him for myself, this is literal. I started to feel like God was with me everywhere I went and when I prayed, I pictured him seated on a magnificent throne and little me speaking to him. Call it child like faith. I asked him for everything from the little things like “God, I need electricity” to help with my exams. I always felt safe and always knew I would be excellent in everything I did because God was with me. Also, it was hard to commit any sin because I felt God was right there with me and he would depart if I did. With my parents being very religious and taking the train up a child in the way he should go verse literally, I attended missionary schools for the most part of my education. In such settings, there are so many manifestations and I’m just thankful I didn’t get drowned while ‘serving’ God.
Mayo*: I believe that since we did not just appear here on earth or fall from the sky, we can’t figure out this life on our own. God created us and we need to rely on him for guidance in this life. I think it would be difficult to do life by myself so I believe in the existence of a higher power to help me out.
Mama*: I believe in God because he is real. I have seen him come through for me in ways no human being could when I had issues I could not share with anyone and all I could do what pray quietly in my room. Sometimes, when I feel afraid and alone, help comes “from nowhere” in the form of people who don’t even know why they are there at that time. That can only be God.
I have come to see him as a father, a friend, a listener, a fixer, a restorer, a provider, you name it. When I make mistakes and I go to him, he forgives me, even faster than I forgive myself. He gives me strength to go on in the face of anything and breaks down seemingly confusing things for me. Whenever I am overwhelmed by any situation and I pray, the issues are easily sorted out, even in ways I do not expect. I feel God looking out for me all the time.
Layo*: the evidences of God’s existence are so real in everything we see. How the creatures are organised, unique in their own way, and the intricate design of the entire universe point to the power of a greater being, God.
The main thing that stands out to me about my belief in God is that I don’t have to do anything to qualify; all that God require is that I come as I am, believe him and rest assured that he will take care of me, come what may. His word is true, it transcends generations and is still useful for all generations.
The evidence of evil also reveals that there is God, as we see in the bible. He protects his children, warns them about evil lurking around and that which is to come. He knows everything.
Amanda*: simply put, I believe in God because I have experienced him. Like many children raised in christian homes, I was introduced to God by my parents, along with all the things I had to do or not do to earn his blessings. I have always been curious about this powerful person my parents talked about with so much awe and looked for ways to know him for myself. It now goes beyond religion and the routine activities I learnt growing up in a Catholic home.
Despite everything that happens in life, I know that God will take care of me. When you get to know people more, they become more real. It’s how my relationship with God is, the more I know about him, the more real he is to me. Over time, God has shown himself in many different ways.
For me, to have a meaningful relationship, it is necessary to know God intimately, like graduating from an acquintance to a close friend. I can not adequately sum up the experiences that have led me to this point. I have also witnessed other people’s experiences and that has helped me see that it’s not all in my head. God proves himself over and over, that’s the summary of everything I’m trying to say.
Mario*: my belief is God is intertwined with my belief in hope, the unshaken optimism that things will go up and take a turn for the better. I have lived long enough to see many pointers to the fact there is an unseen force out there. There is just too much in the universe for all this to be attributed to randomly splitting atoms. I have experienced enough to believe there is a supreme being, God, behind the scenes. It is so much genius, so much creativity. I do believe he is good and kind to me and even if he wasn’t, I’ll still believe in him.
Jane*: I believe in God because he knows everything and he is always there. I’m convinced that there is someone watching over me because I’m not the most careful person. Even when I want or think things should happen in a particular way and they don’t, I’m assured that God has my best interest at heart.
Chris*: God answers prayers. I’ve had so many experiences, I could go on and on. One that stands out the most was when I quit my job to start a business. All my prayers that year were answered. Anytime I fast, I see the results almost immediately and that has happened so many times it can not be considered a coincidence. Now, when my prayers are not answered in the way I expected them to be, I’m confident that God has something better for me.
Abigail*: I believe in God because he is the creator of everything. Over the years, God has always shown up for me and constantly reached out for me. No matter how many times we stray, he continuously extends grace to us, embracing us and enjoying fellowship with us. There are no limits with God.
Chidinma*: I had to think really deeply about this, so it won’t be only about the things he has done, but that’s part of the reasons he is God. Growing up in a religious home, believing God seemed like the norm but with time, that began to feel empty. I even stopped going to church at a time. I had to know God for myself, outside of what I had always heard or what my parents were saying. I started this personal journey with looking for a church where the sermons ministered to me and attended the services regularly. There has been so much unlearning and I am so glad with how far I have come.
I have seen God do the miraculous over and over, they are really no words to describe some of these instances. He is faithful and does not let his people suffer without a way of escape. Whether or not you have been faithful is never a question with God, he always answers.
*Names have been changed for anonymity.
The common thread in these responses is the importance of a personal relationship with God, knowing him for yourself and not relying on what you were taught or raised to believe. Believing in God is not a matter of arriving at a destination, it continuous, more like a marathon than a sprint. Also, it is very personal and can not be outsourced, you must do the work yourself.
When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly — Jer. 29:13 (CJB)
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