Part 16 – How can I believe?
Is believing actually difficult?
Maybe you’ve read the previous studies and are thinking:
“I’d really like to believe… but how do you actually do that?”
Do you have to understand everything first?
Do you have to get rid of all your doubts?
Do you have to have your life completely in order first?
Many people think that believing is something you have to achieve yourself. But the Bible shows a very different picture.
Believing doesn’t start with what you do for God.
It starts with what God has already done for you.
God always takes the first step
The Bible shows that God is constantly looking for people.
He doesn’t wait until we find Him.
He seeks us.
You see this throughout the entire Bible. God sought Adam and Eve after they had hidden. Jesus sought out people who had been written off by others. And today, too, God invites people to get to know Him.
Jesus says: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
That is not a command.
It is an invitation.
Believing is trusting
What is faith, actually?
Many people think that faith means knowing everything for sure.
But faith is much more like trust.
Think of someone crossing a bridge. You might not know all the calculations of the engineer who designed the bridge, but you trust that it is strong enough.
It’s the same with God.
You don’t need to have an answer to every question before you can trust Him.
Believing is saying:
“Lord, I don’t understand everything yet, but I want to get to know You and learn to trust You.”
Faith grows
Some people expect a spectacular experience.
That’s possible.
But often, God works very differently.
Jesus compared faith to a mustard seed.
Very small.
Almost invisible.
But when it is nourished, it grows into something large.
That’s how faith grows, too.
Step by step.
By getting to know God better and better.
How can you get to know God?
The Bible mentions several ways in which faith can grow.
Talk to God
You don’t have to use fancy words.
God also listens to simple, honest prayers.
Maybe you could start with:
“God, if You really exist, would You make Yourself known to me? Help me to understand You and trust You.”
Read the Bible
If you want to know who Jesus really is, start with the Gospel of John.
Read slowly.
Ask questions.
Think about what you read.
Ask God if He will speak to you through His Word.
Seek out other Christians
Believing is not meant to be a lonely journey.
Talk to someone who knows Jesus.
Ask your questions.
Listen to their experiences.
You don’t have to discover it alone.
And what if I keep doubting?
Maybe you’re thinking:
“But I still have questions.”
That’s completely normal.
Doubt doesn’t automatically mean you have no faith.
In fact, faith and questions can coexist perfectly well.
God is not intimidated by your honesty.
He would rather have a seeker with questions than someone who pretends to know everything for sure.
So keep seeking.
Keep praying.
Keep reading.
Faith often grows slowly, just as a tree grows slowly.
Believing is a choice
At some point, a personal question does arise.
Not just:
“Does God exist?”
But:
“Do I want to trust Him?”
No one else can make that choice for you.
God forces no one.
Love can only exist if it is answered voluntarily.
And you?
Maybe you are at a crossroads today.
Maybe you don’t know exactly where your search will lead yet.
You don’t have to.
Maybe today only the first step is needed.
Not a giant leap.
But one simple step in God’s direction.
The Bible promises: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
And also: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
Maybe you would like to close with a simple prayer.
Not because prayer is a magic formula.
But because it can be a first conversation with God.
Lord God,
I don’t have an answer to everything yet, but I would like to get to know You. If Jesus really is Your Son, would You also make Yourself known to me? Help me to trust You, to bring my questions honestly to You, and to grow closer to You step by step. Thank You for inviting me to come to You, exactly as I am. Amen.
Part 17 – Why does God sometimes feel so far away?
Believers also experience moments when God seems far away. How do you deal with that?
