How do you gain faith that there really is a God?

Question

How do you gain faith that there really is a God?

The thought haunts me every day that when I die....thats it......me as I know me is gone......mentally as well as physically.........I want to believe very badly in an afterlife, but, can't seem to believe in something I can't prove.......Is it just that our mind is not capable of understanding it?......and if so, how do I overcome that?..........Not just reccomending your religion, can someone tell me how I go about getting to a point that I truly believe that there is a God...........so that when I die, if there is no God, I will have at least spent my life not worring about it?

Answer 1

It is actually very simple. You indicate by your question that you have a 'seed' of faith. Pray to God the Creator..something such as.."God, I don't know if you are real. If you are, please show me. I hunger to know. Please reveal Yourself to me"..

and then just be aware of the ways He will choose to reveal His presence and existence.

God never turns down such a request if heartfelt.

Answer 2

I would say the easiest way is to simply speak to God from your heart and tell him what you just told us. It is the hope that there is a God that is the beginning for all of us. If you think your intellectual self is keeping you from even that hope, then take a look at some of the intellectual (scientific) things that show that everything may well have been created by an intelligent being. Try www.thecreationnetwork.org and also www.coreresearch. More than 600 scientists are working on this very question and some of their findings that point to the young earth (about 6000 years or so) are amazing. Also, if you have a Bible, begin reading it. I personally do not take every word as God's truth because I believe that man had a part in the interpretation of what God wants us to know and that makes it possible that some of the more unusual rules (such as those for the Jews in the old testament) are not from God at all but were the devices of man. Much of the Bible (especially the gospels of Christ i.e. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are a very good source to learn about what God and Jesus are like. To learn of their character. If you can look at the life of Jesus and say "yes" to the kind of life style he lived and preached, then you can understand his character. God's character is the same. Loving yet righteous and yes, judgemental. He requires the highest degree of obedience to his commands as a person can possible manage.

But as I said at first, the best way is to simply talk to Him. If you can allow the hope in your heart to lead the way, he will come....and you will be absolutely amazed at what the Holy Spirit does for you when he comes to you. I can't explain it, but believe me, you will be astounded. It may not happen the first time or even the second time but if you are steadfast, God will send his gift to you at the precisely right time. I'm sure all my fellow Christians who read your question will pray for you also, as will I.

Answer 3

Been there.

1. Pray and read some holy books.

2. You don't need anyones permission to believe or not believe anything. I just want to make sure that you know that.

3. What ever is out there "has you". In other words, it understands your mental state and is going to work with you based on that. So don't worry.

4. The internet can be a rough place with some very troubled people, some people with ulterior moves, and also people who, for various reasons, are saying things they don't really mean. So think critically if you are going to the internet for answers. (This is not a comment on the other answerers here, just the broader internet).

5.Science is a valuable tool for studying the physical universe, but scientific knowlege is only one type of knowlege. I respect it. In fact, I believe in stuff like evolution. But it's not the only type of knowlege there is. And science constantly changes. If you are hoping to base your faith solely on a scientific fact, what is going to happen if the facts change? To this day, I would love to see some solid, scientific evidence. But, I'm not going to count on that solely for my beliefs.

This may not get best answer, but thought I would just give my two cents. Good luck to you.

Answer 4

There is concrete proof absolutely everywhere you look. This universe is so astoundingly intelligent and purposeful. For you to even be able to type words or think or talk is proof. The fact that what beats my heart beats yours. What people tend to want to believe in is a paternal human god that is petty, judgemental and kind of an asshole. God is not what we have thought it is. WE can't actually fathom God we attempt to personify it, and try to make it into a concept our human brains can grasp and then we prance around claiming to know the truth and what god wants for others. The truth is (or at least my truth) is that God is an extremely personal thing it is you it is everything and everyone and above beyond and through. If you look at absolutely anything in this world even just look at the human body what an intricate intelligent universe in itself and we're to believe that's just a random occurance? There is an unfathomable intelligence at work and instead of trying to grasp it and box it into a neat and tidy concept for your limited ability brain to grasp. Pay attention to your feelings, your inspirations, the relationship you have with God is so intimate that no one can tell you how to have it or what it looks like, it's as intimate as the relationship you have with yourself and surprise surprise God is yourself as well. There is no seperation between the two of you. You are simply a portion of God, you may not be able to see you in your entirety but when you are finished creating and experiencing this type of manifestation much more will be revealed to you and a new adventure will begin. Please don't be afraid of death you cannot possibly die ever. We are here to experience and create God. WE are just God experiencing itself. Create, enjoy!

Answer 5

your spirit longs for something you just cant fill it. Which means if you have ever felt empty inside and long for something but nothing seems to take it away. That my friend is your spirit longing for the Lord. You hear all around you of Jesus who saves , who rescues you from dispair. Who loves you so much that he died for you. It would be believeable if you felt it and knew it yourself. Well there is a way you can do just that . Take that leap of faith and accept him in your heart and call out to him . You might just find a surpise when he stops what he is doing just to answer you back. He longs for you and waits to hear you say it. Come into my heart Lord. Man that will be a choice you will remember for the rest of your life. You will never be the same. It is a leap of faith and trust me I know how hard it is to believe when you cannot see it or feel it. Or havent you know your hearts desire already you are longing for the Lord already. It sounds like to me you just dont know how to take that step. I was there before I know what that is like. But I promise you one thing. When you decide to take that leap of faith. He will stand by your side no matter what you do wrong.. no matter how many times you fail him.. He will never leave you nor forsaken you. He will wipe your tears when there is no one there to do it for you. And when the battle begins he will be your shield. I talk about him because I know him. It is a relationship he will do it for you. You just have to believe he is there and before you know it. He will hold your hand . He will speak into your spirit into your bones. You will feel him surround you with love unspeakable. God bless you and Jesus loves you. Everyone else will leave you .. And will betray you. .but the lord will always be there and never hurt you. He forgives and there is none like him. he loves you

Answer 6

Your thoughts are rational. I can't fathom why you "want to believe very badly in an afterlife", but as a reality-check, always remember the order... it's:
"Death after life, not life after death."

And you get faith from being around the faithful, though again, I'd caution with a reality check: There is *no* supernatural. Of course it's always good to make informed choices, so for each religious work you study, it would be healthy to study a Naturalistic POV... authors like Richard Dawkins ("The God Delusion"), Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, SJ Gould and others.

Answer 7

Good question!
Strangely, people seem to say that science disproves God, but I find evidence of Him under my microscope everyday. I am a 52 year old happily married male. And a couple years ago I began to remember how much fun microscopes were in biology class. I was especially fond of the stereo model which showed the objects in 3D. So, now that I'm all grown up and have some money to play with, I decided to buy a couple of good microscopes online. I have been a christian since my teens, but my faith and belief in God gets stronger everytime I look at God's handywork under a microscope! I am in awe when I see the microscopic detail in nature. In my mind, the evidence I find under the microscope speaks volumes of a divine creator! The intricate detail with which things are designed proclaims without a doubt that there is a divine creative being at work. I get that same feeling when I step outside at night and look up at the stars. I never feel alone.

Here's what I recommend that you try in order to overcome the inability to believe in that which you say can't be proven.

First and foremost, pray to God and tell Him exactly what you wrote on this post! You have expressed yourself beautifully and I love your sincerity. So just convey your feelings in prayer to God...even if you're not sure He's there. (There is no greater faith than when you pray when your mind tells you there is no one there!) Then just read some passages everyday in Psalms and Proverbs. These passages will make you mindful of God and His character. You will feel Him draw near through this. He has said in His Word, "Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you."

There is a lawyer who decided he was going to apply his legal expertise to the task of proving, with the type of evidence that one would find in a court case, that there is no God. As he worked on this project, he became overwhelmed by the amount of evidence that proved that GOD DOES EXIST! He became a christian as a result. He has compiled his notes into a book called Evidence That Demands A Verdict and the updated More Evidence That Demands A Verdict. His name is Josh McDowell and I highly recommend his book especially to you! I think you will be delighted to find that there are plenty of good reasons to believe in God and the afterlife after reading this excellent book. You can usually find it at Barnes & Noble or just order it online.

To get to the point of truly believing, it takes practice! Just practice spending time with God, talking to Him, and reading His Word.

I assure you, He is there, He loves you more than you know, and He will come to you as you seek Him. He has said that He is not willing that any should perish.

I will remember you in my prayers and I look forward to meeting you in heaven someday! :)

Good luck! I hope this helps.

Answer 8

I'm a believer of God but there's a time when i asked myself what if there's no God?

but this is the answer i got,, if God exist and you do not believe him all through your life, you will lose a very big thing but if God doesn't exist and you live your life with goodness you will not lose anything because although you believe with nothing you still live your life in a good manner..

with the thing we cannot see, i believe that humans are not bound to believe only with the things they cannot actually see.. let me give examples

you believe in quarts which are the smallest particle of ions but then we cannot actually distinguish it with an atom but we believe in it

we cannot see the wind but we believe in the air that it is what we breath-------some oppose with this example I'm giving because they said although we cannot see it we can feel it. but for me its still synonymous withe God because although we can't see Him we could feel His presence just like the wind..

we just tend to believe that what we should believe in is nothing

Answer 9

The fact that you have such a deep desire to know if there is a God...is proof in itself that He exists. He is drawing you to Himself. He wants you to know Him and to have a relationship with Him. There is no way for someone else to prove to you that God exists, but if you sincerely want to know, He will reveal Himself to you. He says in the Bible that He will never turn away anyone who comes to Him. You overcome your doubt by prayer, studying the Bible and faith. He's already given you a measure of faith, proven by the fact that you are searching for Him. We don't come to that point on our own, we are drawn by the Holy Spirit. God will increase your faith as you read the Bible. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."--Rom. 10:7. What is faith? "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not (yet) seen."--Heb. 11:1.
As you read the Bible, God will give you the wisdom to understand it. You do not have to live in fear and torment--that is of satan. And you can have that blessed assurance that when you die, you will go immediately to heaven to be with God for eternity. Trust in Christ for your salvation, He will never leave you or forsake you. It's His promise to all who believe in Him.

Answer 10

Unfortunately, there is no god and this is the only life we get.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or delusional. Where's the proof? There is none. All the evidence is against such a thing as an afterlife. Check out the link below for more information. God is imaginary, too, just another story that people tell themselves to avoid dealing with responsibility and the fact that we all will die someday.

Why would you want to believe in a fantasy? Wouldn't you be better off knowing this is your only life and living it the best way you possibly can?

Be happy NOW.

Answer 11

God gives people the courage to live as we all know we're going to die.

However, there is no absolute, tangible proof. Belief in God is a matter of personal choice, spirituality, and introspect. However, the first place to look is in your own heart.

But .,. if you're not convinced, try walking through a battle zone after an egregious firefight. I guarantee you that there's not one athiest in those foxholes.