Why Should I Believe in God?

Hello Hump Day readers. On this first day of summer my thoughts turned to a conversation I had a few weeks ago. It has stuck in my mind because I felt bad for this person who has been through a lot and decided God was nowhere to be found, saying: “Believe in God—really? I’ve tried that and God doesn’t answer. Maybe it’s because God is really a fake. All these years of going to church, praying, dumping money in the coffer and God is silent. For me, I’m done with God forever.”

The rhetoric stunned me because the words were spewed with disgust and a lot of anger. This isn’t the first time someone has said to me “I just can’t believe.” My heart hurts for these folks. I’ve tried to share stories of God’s healing, miracles, etc., but it lands on deaf ears—especially when people are angry and hurting to their core. So, I went looking for ideas and found interesting words from Pastor Lee Strobel. As a kid he left the church and for many years was a die-hard atheist. Yet, God pursued this man and never gave up on him. That’s my prayer as well for those who tell me they “can’t believe in God.”

In Strobel’s book, Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary, we find these interesting challenges about faith in God. With permission I share this because, if you’re like me, we all have our doubts and you may find yourself or someone you love in this story…  

“I can’t believe” is the sentiment of people who have a specific intellectual or emotional issue that has halted their headway toward God. It’s expressed by some of these quotes:

  • The physician who says, “I can’t believe the Bible because it conflicts with modern science.”
  • The mother of a sick child who says, “I can’t believe in a God who permits my son to suffer when so many evil people seem to be successful.”
  • The lawyer who says, “I’m used to dealing with evidence and facts; I can’t believe in something that we’re asked to accept purely on faith.”
  • The corporate executive who says, “I prayed that my business would get through its crisis, but it’s going down the tubes. I can’t believe in a God who ignores my call for help.”

We all experience roadblocks in life. Some of them are so devastating we cannot find a way out. My younger sister left her faith in God because of pastoral molestation. “How can I ever trust God now?” she says. Sadly, nothing was ever done with the crime so she lives on her own ability for preservation and calls herself an atheist. She is sullen, divisive and angry at those of us who believe in God. She calls the Bible the world’s largest “Fake Book.” Her spiritual journey is now steeped in the religion of Yoga and my heart hurts for her.

As a chaplain, I often have discussions on spiritual matters, listening intently to why they are hung up on their life’s journey. I encourage them to share their thoughts and often it results in helpful conversation. The answers they want are not easily found, but—with quality discussion—a lot of folks begin to see what is really blocking their path of trusting in God.

Pascal once said, “there are people who have found God; people who are seeking God, and people who are not seeking God.” Psalm 14:2 from King David says: “The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.”

My prayer for each one of you is that you stay on the path God has for you, even in the toughest times. Remember the strength you have IN and FROM God. Use that strength at any time, it never runs out. And never forget that we have the assurance that God always has our back, even if we don’t think so.

Let’s close by adding to Pascal’s words above, using the words from the Prophet Jeremiah in Chapter 29:13-14 [Voice]: “You will look for Me intently, and you will find Me. Yes, I will be found by you,” says the Eternal, “and I will restore you.” AMEN.