to the one who is unsure about God and Christianity.
Dear friend,
I know firsthand what it's like to be unsure about the Christian faith. Maybe you’re confused by conflicting beliefs within Christian circles. Maybe you’ve been hurt, lied to, or even shunned by the church. Maybe you feel weighed down by shame and you don’t know how to find Jesus in the midst of it. Maybe the thought of accepting God’s love feels impossible. Or perhaps you’re longing for a relationship with Him but aren’t sure if you’re ready to take that step. I get it. I really do.
Today, I hope to meet you where you’re at—in the hurt, the brokenness, the shame, the questioning, the anger, the numbness, the curiosity, the confusion. I understand because I’ve been there too. I’ve wrestled, I’ve wondered, I’ve doubted, and I’ve hurt.
But through it all, God has pursued my heart, and He’s pursuing yours too. For just a few minutes, let’s turn our eyes to the One who loves you unconditionally.
The Depths of God’s Love
First and foremost, you need to know that God loves you deeply. His love for you is greater than anything you could ever imagine. It cannot be earned, and isn’t based on anything you’ve done (or haven’t done). It’s a love that you and I don’t deserve, yet God showed His magnificent love for us on the cross.
The cross is not just a symbol; it’s the proof of God’s love. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 4:9-10 affirms this: “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”
Why did Jesus need to die for us? Let’s unpack this a bit. You, me, and every single human who has ever walked this Earth have sinned and fallen short. Because of our sin, you and I deserve separation from God. Yet, because of His great love, God sent Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to atone for our sins and offer us eternal life.
Eternal life is a free gift for anyone and everyone who would receive it. All we need to do is repent of our sins and put our trust in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” God’s love offered to us through Jesus Christ is not based on what we do or how good of a person we are. It is by grace—the free and unmerited favor of God—that we are saved.
Receiving God’s Love
But maybe you have a hard time receiving God’s love. Perhaps someone close to you has hurt you or let you down, making it difficult to picture God as a good Father. The pain we experience from others can sometimes distort our view of God’s nature.
Throughout your life, you may have been lied to, abused, or abandoned by someone you trusted. Perhaps someone has broken a promise to you, made you feel unvalued, or caused you deep pain. I know how difficult it can be to open your heart after it’s been wounded. If trusting in God’s love feels impossible, here’s the truth that I want you to hold onto: the terrible things you may have experienced are not a reflection of God’s character. Human love is broken, but God’s love is trustworthy.
Though humans may lie and break promises, Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Though human beings may change, Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” While people in our lives may leave, Deuteronomy 31:8 assures us, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you.” And though humans often fall short in caring for one another, 1 Peter 5:7 encourages us, “Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares for you.”
Though you may have been hurt by a father, mother, friend, colleague, brother, sister, or spouse, know this: God will never hurt you. In a world full of broken promises, God is the one who can always be trusted.
Why does God allow suffering?
So, how do we explain all the hurt and pain in the world? If God is loving and trustworthy, why do bad things happen to good people? Why does He allow us to suffer?
God gives us free will, which means He does not manipulate us. He gives us the choice to love others or turn to violence, injustice, and anger. Since no one on Earth is perfectly righteous, we live in a broken world filled with sinners in need of a savior—you and I included. A total removal of sin would require God to control us. But He is not a controlling Father, and we are not His puppets on a string. God desires genuine love and relationship with us, not forced compliance.
We’ve all sensed the results of sin in this world—suffering, abuse, crime, selfishness, sickness, greed, racism, pain. God hates these things even more than we do.
When Jesus returns, He will completely eradicate sin once and for all. He is not indifferent to the pain you and I have endured, and He will redeem all that has been broken. Those who choose to receive the gift of salvation will inherit eternal life, free from suffering and filled with peace. Romans 8:18 tells us that “what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will revel to us later.” In Heaven, Jesus “will wipe away every tear from their eyes and eliminate death entirely. No one will mourn or weep any longer. The pain of wounds will no longer exist” (Revelation 21:4).
For just a moment, imagine the Lord speaking to you through these words:
My child, I love you more than you can comprehend. Though you may be carrying shame, hurt, and heaviness, I deeply desire to comfort you, walk alongside you, and fill you with peace. I, too, am pained by the injustices and pain you have faced. Because I love you, I bore the punishment for your sin so that I could be in relationship with you for eternity. You do not need to hide from me or fear me. There is freedom — not condemnation — for those who receive my free gift. Though you may face suffering and pain in this lifetime, there is nothing you can do to be separated from my unconditional love.
Wherever you find yourself today, know that it’s not too late to turn to God and embrace His love. We don’t need to fix ourselves, get our lives together, or clean up our act before entering into a relationship with God. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we are offered the free gift of salvation that only He can give. We don’t need to earn it. All we need to do is receive it.
An Invitation
If today, you feel moved to respond to Jesus’ love, I invite you to pray this prayer with me:
Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died to take away my sins. I confess that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for saving me when I could not save myself. By faith, I accept your free gift of salvation. Give me the will and the strength to love and serve you for the rest of my life. Amen.
Saying this prayer is more than just words—it’s the first step of a beautiful journey. Here’s what to do next:
It’s impossible to grow in your faith when you’re trying to do it alone. We all need people who can encourage us in times of anxiety and lift us up when things get hard. The best place to find this kind of community is within the local church.
Try visiting some churches in your area. After the service, take a moment to chat with a pastor or team member. Attend events and gatherings hosted by the church, and don’t be afraid to reach out, ask questions, and seek mentorship. The church you choose doesn’t need to be perfect, because no group of people is without flaws. Building connections with other Christians takes time, investment, and vulnerability, but it’s so worth it!
