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Is it Difficult to Believe God Loves You?
Paul prayed, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).
Because of His nature, everything revolves around His love. Even so, Paul prayed that believers would know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge. This kind of love goes beyond human reason, so it’s not really surprising people wrestle with the idea of God loving them. Do you find it difficult to believe He loves you? Why is His love hard to fathom? Here are a couple reasons.
Comparisons
For the most part, people base their understanding of love on what they’ve experienced growing up. Good, bad or indifferent, they tend to view God in the same way they view their parents (or whoever raised them). They compare His love to theirs. If their parents (especially fathers) were harsh, they tend view God as harsh. Conversely, if they were warm and affectionate, they would tend see Him in the same light.
Isaiah 46:5 To whom will ye liken Me, and make Me equal, and compare Me, that we may be like (alike)?
God poses a rhetorical question, which He answers in verse nine: Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me.
We cannot compare humanity with God. No matter how kind an earthly father may be, he will never be as kind as our heavenly Father. Even a mother’s love incomparable to His, which some might be hard to fathom. Moreover, cruelty does not exist in Him; it is the opposite of His nature. He is a good Father Who is ever present, which is something in which to take comfort, especially for those whose father was never present. He will never abandon you!
1 John 4:7-9 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
Circumstances
Many have asked, “How can a loving God allow such horrible circumstances to exist in the world.” They tend to equate the harsh realities of life, along with the viciousness of humans exerted on other humans with His character. While we will not go deep on this topic, it might be worth considering a few things.
Much of what we see in the world is the result of man’s fallen nature. While that may sound trite in response to the question, it does play large role. From the very beginning, mankind was given a choice. They could do things God’s way, or choose their own path. Many choose their own path, and have or will suffer the consequences of that decision.
Choice without choice is no choice at all. God gives everyone the opportunity to decide to follow, or reject Him. Some might say, “I wasn’t given a choice as to whether to be born.” True; however, you are given a choice to be born again. To this later point, it’s good to remember, we aren’t home yet. 2 Peter 3:10-12 tells us the earth and all its works will be burned up (read for full context). Verse 13 says, Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
All the suffering in this world will come to an end, never to be experienced again.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
It is easy to love God when things are easy and going well. With things get tough, that’s when one finds out if he or she truly loves Him. After all, that is the bigger question. Do you love God? By the way, if you do love Him, that is also proof He loves you.
1 John 4:19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
