Sometimes I question the existence of God. I wonder where He lives. Does He live in the clouds? In the sky? What part of the universe? Where is He? When we encounter problems with our family, love ones, or problems concerning our job, is God really there helping us? Can you honestly say right now while you are reading this article that you have already seen God? That He already talked to you? Probably not! Just like me, you only heard so many good or probably bad things about God, but have you ever wondered if these stories are true or just a product of other people’s imagination? I have questioned the existence of God so many times, because I have never seen or even talked to Him. I have never felt his presence or felt any of His apparitions.
When I’m suffering from life’s dreadful tribulations I always cry for God’s assistance, my heart cries as I beg for His help. When there’s no more food on the table, He never served me food to pave away my family’s starvation. When I lost my job because of downsizing, He never provided me with employment. When I am suffering from a deadly disease, He did not cure me. People who are suffering from these same instances are probably saying that this is just a test from God. Like an audition that we have to pass so we can be great actors in Heaven. Or an assessment period to check whether we are strong followers of God. Most of you who are in dire need of help, be it physical, emotional or spiritual, must have in some ways sought the motivating words of the Holy Scriptures. You have probably sought the inspiring words of the followers of God who wrote the scriptures without questioning the correctness of how the words were written and the accuracy of its translation.
Most of you who are reading this article, especially the faithful, might be on the helm of violent reaction and already in the point of writing a counter article about the existence of God. I am not saying that I am not a believer of God. But there are times that I cannot help myself for asking those logical questions about Him. I know some of you have experienced the same instances like those mentioned in this post. Probably you are also questioning the existence of your religion’s holy being but have no means of doing so because of the restrictions of one’s faith. I can understand you because I am in that same dilemma. We are just humans, we are weak. But why did God made us this way?
Why did God made us weak but He also wants us to be strong? Why did He gave us the power to hate but He wants us to love. Why is God giving us problems yet He wants us to seek Him for His help. Why did God gave us brains to think but His religion condemns us if we question His existence. Writing this article gave me the chance to assess the foundation of my faith and to assess the groundwork of my religion. I have many questions why God did this, why God this that, God moves in a mysterious way as they say. But the bottom-line is, I am still alive, you are still alive. Maybe when we die, all our questions about God will all be answered…
I really liked this article. I too wonder the same things you do, but I also have a different religion than you. I am of an earth based religion. I wonder how our creator could create a place so beautiful but have so many “ugly beings” roaming it. I do believe the creator puts us in situations to test us. We are his puppets, he can do with us as he wishes, just to see how we can rise to the challenge or fall to defeat by wallowing in our own self pity. We are only here to learn. To hope. To grow. I believe if you continue to write you will find the answers that the creator offers. All the answes are inside you already, you just have to find them.
Hi Joshua Miguel,
You’ve written an extraordinary article and I’m happy that I read it. To answer some of your questions: Yes, I have seen God, and no, I too have no idea how it all works. But I have been a Scripture Theorist for many years, and read the Bible in the original languages. I don’t think that God is a guy in the sky, and I also don’t understand why He won’t give believers more money and food and health than unbelievers. But someone much smarter than me once said to an atheist, “The God that you don’t believe in, I don’t believe in either, but the God I know I see everywhere.”
Guys,
Thank you for your comments!
great article. I really enjoyed reading it. Kind of relates to a cool website I recently found, called The Hell Quiz. Find out your chances of a fiery afterlife at http://www.thehellquiz.com
This is really a very good article. It really hit me. I will defenitely share this article to all of my friends! Good Work Joshua!
Dear Joshua Miguel,
I find that your writing is very clear and concise making it excellent to read for which I congratulate you. Now, I believe that everyone has a right to their opinion and obviously their own questions and interpretations of everything, especially when it comes to matters of God and spirituality.
To “have faith” as people word it is much harder when one goes through personal, economical or even both problems at once. When you don’t see a way out and instead only see more problems behind the doors that await you the words “have faith” have no meaning yet instead rise a feeling of resentment inside of you.
I say this because that is how my life, my world and just about everything happening to me about 2 years ago was. I felt betrayed, abandoned and with no hope what-so-ever. I prayed and prayed and prayed, and yet the next day everything was the same or worst! And from your writing, I think somewhere in there is where you are now.
Call it God, The Universe, The Creator, etc…. to me, they are all one “presence” and for the sake of understanding let’s call him God. And yes, I am one of those people that has spoken with him, that has seen him next to me in moments that I too thought he had abandoned me, and a God that “through me” allows me to see his reason for everything. Yet I’ll confess that it wasn’t easy.
I don’t believe he gives you a test, I believe you have to see it as an opportunity.
I believe he gave us a brain so that we can think and use it to improve ourselves in all aspects…. But that brain has to be in agreement with your heart, with your spirit and with your peace of mind.
I have come to understand that his reason isn’t always ours, but the major lesson that I have learned is that his time isn’t always ours either. But ironically enough, during those terrible and horrible times 2 years ago, I never saw it. I never knew he was there helping me, but as I look back today I think to myself, if he wouldn’t have been there for me there was no way I could have survived!
I wish you the best in your journey and I hope that your life resolves soon for you.
Angie,
I really appreciate you kind words.Thank you!
excellent read, all i can tell you is i too have walked your path, all the knocks and anguish i have experienced has brought me to where i am today, molded me into the person i am now, i would not change a thing, i would hit the lowest low again just to ensure that i be me. I believe that our trials and tribulations are there to teach us to appreciate an focus on the many other blessings that surround us, I wish you well, may you find the truth you so desperately seek, May your troubles lessen.
Thank you tracy!
You should watch “The Secret”. I believe that man has made the bible and god what he wants it to be… the greatest mind control tool ever created passed down from one generation to another. I believe they teach you not to question god or the bible because it contradicts itself and like any investagator if you ask alot of questions or the right question you are bound to find the truth. I believe that if there was ONE god he/she would be the same for everyone and there would not be so many different religions to practice… think about it!
Believe in yourself, know that you have the power to change your life… for example, if you are in a bad relationship… find a new one with a person who represents what you want… if you lost a job… find a new one… if your family is hungry… prepare meals that are filling and cheap(rice, potatos, grits)it may not be what you want but your family will not be hungry.
I could go on and on. I just want to asure you that you have questions for a good reason and believe it or not Joshua you also have the answers… ONLY YOU KNOW HOW YOU FEEL AND WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU! When something does not sit well with us we will always have questions!
Good piece of writing & great comments toward it.
I just published this article : http://www.relijournal.com/Christianity/Weed-and-Wheat-The-Answer-for-Why-Does-God-Let-Bad-People-Stay-Alive.178071
Triond put yours as a related article of mine.
You have asked some very tough questions that we all struggle with, even some of us who have been “Born Again” for many years, studied the Bible extensively, and even taught others about God. I must confess that I don’t know the answers to many of your questions. I have prayed for healing from my Parkinson’s Disease for many years, others have prayed for me, and I have obeyed God’s directions in James 5:14 to go to the elders of my church to have them annoint me with oil and pray for me. Do I lack faith? I don’t think so. Can God heal? I know he can – I know others who have been divinely healed. Will God heal me? I have no idea. Is God faithful and good? Is He all-seeing and all powerful. I believe so with all my heart, soul, and mind. Does He keep His promises? This is a hard thing to believe when one is suffering, and He seems silent. All I know for certain is that He loves me, He has given me salvation, and He has given me peace and securtiy during the pain.
I hope this helps. Peace to you and yours.
People please! Rational people don’t believe in the supernatural. God is nothing more than an imaginary playmate for adults. You only get this one life, don’t delude yourself with silly notions of living with some old bearded guy in the clouds listening to harps for all eternity. Life this life you have, be good because it makes you feel good to be good, not because some spook on high scares you into it.
If God is omnipotent and possesses a free will, then it could never be possible to tell whether God exists or not. People can pray or not pray, the results are the same, and must be the same. Faith that depends on proof is no faith at all.
People fear there would be no meaning to life without God, but the meaning of life for me doesn’t change if you believe or don’t believe. Neither does the meaning of life for you change depending on what I believe. So the meaning of life for me must be independent of what I believe, and the same goes for you. If there is meaning to life when you believe in God, then that meaning doesn’t change if you don’t believe in God.
Thus the true believer will have faith in God even if He does not exist.
A natural questions asked by people who are weak in faith. Once, I’m in the same boat with you, asking the same questions but the good thing is god is always there watching us. Yes we may be weak to show He is our strength, we did question his authority when our table shows nothing to eat, but did you know that we are better than the birds whom he gave food to eat. just read Matt. 6:23. you are asking that how come he gave us power to hate, but I may say He didn’t. He even instructed us not to live in anger. My friend, others may say there is no God, that it is only a man’s mind creation, fine with them, I respect their beliefs. but if you have really experienced god’s love then you will have better understanding with his deity. as a colcusion, friend you must have real Faith, and to define it, just read Heb. 11:1.
During times like this, I just recite the Apostle’s Creed and after a little reflection.. I always pull through, my faith have always been the calming factor I needed when faced by challenges and I too believe that it was that faith that still keeps me intact and writing here for the entertainment of others..
Great article and very well written.
Having had an after life experience, I can tell you that yes, God does exist although by many names….
Great Article!
Why a child is not given everything they asked? Such as not eating meals I do not like? Etc.
Great article Joshua, it was a pleasure to read it!
I don’t believe in any form of God(s). There are many reasons for that, but simply put, for me religion is a form of politic used to control people.
You have different “levels” of importance within the organization, from a priest, all the way up to the pope.
I also think that you can see anything that you believe in. If you believe in a form of God, you may “see” him/her/it based on your brain/imagination creating a representation of what you think “God” would look alike for you.
For some people, God offers a form of protection, of re-assurance, of believing in someone that shows them the righteous path. Also, many people enjoy the social aspect of the Church.
I’d recommend that you all watch the movie/documentary by Bill Maher, titled “Religulous”. He takes an excellent position on religion, asks some very interesting questions, he has several refreshing point of views on the question of God, religions and such.
We all have a time of weakness every now and then. I too, have doubt of God… that was a long time ago. Have faith my friend
i think you have been wrong about God…its a matter of faith…a matter of human responsibility…we physicallly think too much when we are talking about spirituality…you dont have to see Him to believe.in the first place He’s not a physical being.Religion does not necessarily help your faith in God when it is suppose to, because of some people who bend the laws…its not God’s doing but the people…and we are always complaining…but
did we ever thank Him for the good things that happen to us…we tend to think that it was us who did all the work.
yes you are alive today..did you thank Him for that?dont focus on people’s opinion..focus on God…the Bible.the Words.
thank God that you made this article..its means that you still care about your faith!!!good job
I’m an agnostic at this point in time and so you can imagine the amount of questions I have which I can’t seem to get answers for. Nice work.
RJ
jojo,
This article was honest and from the heart. So, I respect you for being brave enough to put your feeling out there for others to either agree with or tear apart.
I personally, have felt God’s presence. I know that there is a reason for all….even if it isnt apparent. That is what faith and trust in something bigger than yourself is all about. For ex- if you walk outside and the ground is wet, the trees are dripping water, etc.. would you assume (have faith) that it had rained, even if you had not actually seen it rain?
But, you are doing the best thing- questioning. After all, that is the only way to find answers. Very well done.
Dear Writer,
Thank you for your honest input.About
twenty years ago, I suffered severe
depression in college because I had fallen
in love with a Christian and my parents
were against it.For years after college,
I suffered and I didn’t go to a therapist
because I was embarrased for what I had
done in college. I kept stong faith in God
during all my years of depression. Even
I am a Moslem , I prayed to Christ for
hours to save me from my horrible condition
that I was living in with my parents in
Alexandria. Christ saved me from depression
and one therapist finally found the correct
medication for me. So I was blessed. Today,
I am a published poet and I am writing
a novel called the Lost Gems. I have
forgiven everyone for having gotten me sick
and I have asked God to forgive me.So to
have faith is fine when everything is going fine, but it really a test of character to
have faith when rough times approaches us.