What If You’re Right?
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Maybe you don’t believe in God. Or maybe you’ve tried to, but life has thrown so much at you that belief feels impossible.
You might be thinking, If there’s a God, where was He when my world fell apart? If He’s real, why is the world so broken?
Those are valid questions—honest, raw, and fair. And maybe you’ve never been given space to ask them before. But I want you to know this: faith doesn’t ignore those questions. It starts with them.
The Problem with Pain
Here’s the truth: the world is messed up. People hurt each other. Tragedies happen. And if there’s a God, it’s tempting to blame Him for it all.
But what if the brokenness in the world isn’t proof that God doesn’t exist—but that humanity needs Him?
James 1:14-15 puts it this way:
“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
The pain we see in the world isn’t because God is cruel or absent—it’s because people have chosen their own way instead of His. Free will is a gift, but it’s also dangerous. We can use it to love, but we can also use it to hurt.
So where does that leave us?
What If God Is Closer Than You Think?
You might think that God is distant—if He’s real at all. But what if He’s been there all along, waiting for you to notice Him?
Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted, but let’s not rush past it:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
What if the hurt you’ve been through isn’t the end of your story? What if God is saying, “I didn’t cause your pain, but I can redeem it. I can make something beautiful out of the ashes.”
Faith Isn’t Blind—It’s Brave
I get it. The word “faith” might feel like a cop-out, like asking you to believe in something without proof. But that’s not what faith is.
Faith isn’t about ignoring your doubts. It’s about asking, What if there’s more? What if there’s a God who sees me and loves me, even in my skepticism?
Ephesians 2:8-9 says:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Faith isn’t about earning God’s approval or pretending you have all the answers. It’s about taking a step toward Him, even when you’re unsure.
Why Jesus?
Let’s address the hard part. Why would God—if He’s real—let His own Son die?
Here’s the answer: because He loves you. He saw the mess we’ve made of the world, the gap we created between us and Him, and He decided to bridge it.
Jesus came to do what we couldn’t: to live a perfect life and take the punishment for our sins. His death wasn’t pointless—it was the ultimate act of love. John 3:16 says:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
It sounds radical, doesn’t it? But maybe love this big should feel radical.
What If You’re Wrong?
Here’s a tough question: What if you’re wrong?
What if you spend your life running from God, only to find out He was real all along? What if He’s been reaching out to you in your pain, offering hope, but you’ve been too hurt or skeptical to see it?
You don’t have to have it all figured out to take a chance on Him. Faith isn’t a leap in the dark—it’s a step into the light.
Your Move
So here’s the challenge: Be honest with yourself. Be honest with God. Even if you don’t believe in Him, try this:
- Say, “God, if You’re real, show me.”
- Say, “God, I’m angry. I’m skeptical. I’ve been hurt. But I’m open to hearing from You.”
You don’t have to say a perfect prayer. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to start the conversation.
And if you’re ready—if something inside you is whispering, “What if this is true?”—then take a step. Here’s a simple prayer to help you start:
A Prayer for the Skeptic
God, I don’t know if I believe in You. I have questions, doubts, and pain that I don’t know what to do with. But if You’re real, I want to know. Show me who You are. Help me to see You, even in my doubts. And if You’re there, help me to take a step toward You. Amen.
What Comes Next
If you prayed that prayer, you don’t have to figure this out alone. Find someone you trust—a pastor, a friend, or a mentor—and tell them. Keep asking questions. Keep seeking truth.
God isn’t afraid of your skepticism. He’s big enough for your doubts. And He’s waiting for you—patiently, lovingly, and with open arms.
