 Is God real? How can we know — truly know — that God exists? How can we be sure that He’s not a nice figment of our imagination? When it comes to things unseen, these are the questions people often ask. Yet, in some church cultures, it might be considered impolite to ask such bold questions. But I believe our faith is strengthened when we wrestle with the truths that can’t be easily verified with our eyes and ears. {Tweet this} One of the twelve disciples has been dubbed “Doubting Thomas” because he refused to believe that Christ had indeed risen from the dead. Even when his closest friends exclaimed that they had seen the Lord, Thomas was adamant in his stance. He said: “Unless I see the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” ~ John 20:25 In some ways, we’re like Thomas too. We want to see God with our eyes and hear Him with our ears. It would make believing in Him so much easier. In fact, why doesn’t God appear more often? That would certainly quiet His critics. Jesus answers this question when He later appears to Thomas. “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ~ John 20:29 Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. That is the essence of faith. I have not seen God with my physical eyes. But I have seen Him move. I have seen Him make a way where there was no way. I have seen Him orchestrate events ahead of time that only He could have done. I have seen Him reach from the heavens to rescue a lost and lonely me. I have not touched God’s hands with my physical hands. But I have felt His presence during worship on Sunday mornings. I have felt his presence alone on a mountaintop. I have felt His presence in the quiet of my living room. I have not heard God’s audible voice with my physical ears. But I have heard Him speak through the pages of His Word. I have heard His voice speak directly to my heart. I have heard Him proclaim truths in my spirit that could only have come from Him. Even if someone took away every personal encounter I’ve experienced with God, I would still believe God exists for one simple reason: ---- The reason I believe in God, above all else, is because I believe in right and wrong. If there is no God, then there is no such thing as right or wrong. If we’re all here because of some cosmic evolutionary accident, then there’s no such thing as morality or ethics. Without God, the principles of right and wrong cannot exist. {Tweet this} The concept of right and wrong belongs to a conscience-bearing spirit that is under a higher unseen law. And the theory of evolution cannot explain why I believe so strongly in the difference between right and wrong. {Tweet this} Thus, I believe in God. I believe Someone created this universe. I believe Someone designed the order that orbits abide by. I believe there is a purpose to our existence. And that purpose has more to do with others than ourselves. No, I have not seen God with my physical eyes. But I believe. Do you? “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18  About Denise Denise is a teacher at heart. Whether she’s speaking at a women’s retreat or a weekly Bible study, she’s dedicated to helping others become living testimonies of grace and truth. Born and raised in a rural farming community, Denise now lives in the greater Los Angeles area with her husband and three kids. She teaches writing at a Christian university, where she enjoys connecting with students and sharing her faith in Christ. She’s the author of On Becoming a Writer: What Every Blogger Needs to Know, and she devotes her blog to helping others develop their craft and deepen their faith. You can connect with Denise on her blog --denisejhughes.com — or onTwitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Want to read more from this contributor? Put her name in the search box at the top.
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