Josh McDowell's Blog

Tragedy is disorienting. It interrupts the comfort of ordinary life and scatters our thoughts and emotions. A shooting, an earthquake, a senseless act of violence leave us with the reality that our safety and security may be an illusion. What confronts us is evil that awakens our deepest intuitions about how the world should be. We expect order, fairness, love, and meaning, but evil violates them all. We want to believe that good wins in the end or that justice will be served, but in moments of chaos those truths seem to slip through our fingers.

In light of last month’s tragedies in the United States, and the witnessing of persecution around the globe, I’ve felt this insecurity. Tragedy dominates when it strikes. It’s dominated my emotions and my thought life. And I’ve asked the questions of what now? Who or what can I trust? What do I do with my emotions? How do I be real with people who may think differently than me? Maybe you’ve asked these sorts of questions too.

 Scripture: An Anchor for the Soul in Disorienting Times

In these moments, I look for an anchor that tethers me to truth and goodness. Scripture is this anchor. It provides three aspects of clarity in times of tragedy which serve as comfort for our souls. It names evil for what it is, guides us in how we are to respond, and reminds us of who God is in the midst of our pain.

Scripture Speaks Truthfully About Evil and Tragedy

In walking through deep pain with others, and experiencing moments of tragedy myself, I’ve learned that more than an answer of why something happened, what we really desire in those moments is someone to take our pain seriously. We long for someone to share in our sufferings and affirm our feelings. To call out what we see as evil as it really is.

Scripture speaks with an honest realism regarding tragedy. In Genesis we read of the origins of evil. When Adam and Eve used their free will to grasp for autonomy and choose to live life as they wanted, God’s good creation was cursed (Gen 3:17) and as Paul says, “subject to frustration.” (Romans 8:20-21) Relationships were distorted, the earth was cursed, and life now ends in death. In Genesis chapter four, when brother kills brother, we read the blood of Abel “cries out from the ground.”

Related Content: Working Your Way Through The Pain

From the opening chapters of the Bible to the end of Revelation, we read that almost every figure who walks faithfully with God also walks through tragedy. Moses is rejected by his people, spends decades in exile, is burdened by leading a rebellious nation, and is banned from entering the promised land. David commits adultery, spends years in exile as a fugitive from Kind Saul,, is betrayed by his son Absalom, and experiences the loss of children. Job is called a righteous man who experiences more than a great deal of suffering as he loses his wealth, family, health, and reputation. John the Baptist is imprisoned and beheaded. The disciples were willing to die for the belief Jesus rose from the grave, and we have evidence many did. Paul was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, betrayed, and martyred. These examples are in stark contrast to much of our modern day culture. Society has a way of avoiding naming evil, talking about tragedy, or explaining pain away. These things are uncomfortable, but they must be named.

The point is this, scripture speaks plainly about a world broken by sin and the chaos that follows. The pages of the bible do not hide from pain or edit out injustice or sanitize suffering. This means scripture takes your pain seriously, meaning the God of the bible takes your pain seriously.

Scripture Models How We Are to Respond

Nearly a third of the Psalms are laments. These are not words of faithlessness in the midst of tragedy but a faithful honesty before God. Psalm 62:8 says to “pour out your heart before him.” Lament is grief directed toward God. We are invited to bring our sorrow to God. The psalms are full of raw cries to God: “How long, O Lord?” (Psalm 13:1-2), “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?” (Psalm 10:1). This action has a profound impact on us as human beings.

Acknowledging the Brokenness

First, it helps us acknowledge and name the evil or tragedy. As previously mentioned, we have a tendency to avoid pain and overlook suffering. Lament requires an honest acknowledgement of our broken world.

Moving Toward God in Grief

Second, it moves us toward God rather than away from him. This is a posture towards hope and away from despair. When crying out to God, we are doing so in a relationship with him. We are bringing our burdens and sorrows to his feet. Psalm 13 is a great example of how David moves from crying out to God to expressing trust in God’s unfailing love. What starts out with cries of lament and feelings of being forgotten, forsaken, and overwhelmed turns to a declaration of trust. He says in verse 5, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”

The model of the psalms for us is to name evil as evil, bring our grief to God with honesty, and put our hope and trust in God.

Scripture Reveals Who God Is in the Midst of Tragedy

I’ve heard it said that the Psalms do not just tell us what the cries of Israel were, but they also tell us what God can hear. He can hear cries of injustice, lament, grief, and frustration. In Exodus 3:7-8 we witness that God sees Israel’s suffering, hears their cries, and is moved to deliver them. In Genesis when Hagar is outcast from Abraham’s family, she is wondering and cries out to God and calls him El Roi. the God who sees. These two passages reveal that God hears and sees his people in tragedy. He is not distant and disengaged, he is present, interruptible, and takes interest in you.

God is also moved to action. The emotion most attributed to Jesus in the gospels is compassion. Jesus is moved with pity over and over as he walks with us humans and witnesses our pain. When Jesus approaches the tomb of Lazarus, he weeps. Jesus is so moved with compassion that he weeps at the death of his friend. This means Jesus feels and weeps with you.

More From Cru: Finding Hope in Darkness & Grief 

Finally, we read that God is the only one with the power to overcome evil. Our ultimate hope is that this life is not the end. For those who surrender their lives to Jesus and receive his forgiveness, we have ultimate hope. In Revelation 21:4 we read:

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Tragedy will never have the final say, because our good God is in control. When we see God clearly as one who sees and hears us, is moved with compassion, acts on our behalf, and in the end will be victorious, we find an immense amount of hope and peace.

How to Test the Anchor in Your Own Life

I find two facts to be comforting. First, this world is not as it was created to be. Second, this world is not our home. And yet, God does not abandon us or ignore us. He enters into our tragedy, takes it upon himself, and offers the only hope to overcome.

You may think, ok, scripture speaks truthfully, models how we ought to respond, and reveals who God is, that’s my anchor, but I can’t see it right now. It’s like an anchor in the bottom of a deep lake, where the murkiness of the water does not let the light shine. The anchor is blurred and hidden. Sure, we may think it has hit bottom after casting it over the side of the boat, but do we really know? This is kind of like reading of the promises of scripture, without living as if they were true. What might we do in the case of sitting on a boat? We test the anchor to see if it’s grounded. We let the wind blow and see if it holds. In a similar way, in the midst of tragedy we look to scripture and read of who God is, what he has done, and what he invites us to do. Then we do as it models.

Here are four ways you can do that today:

Reflect on the reality of evil, and name the tragedy. You may read the beginning of Genesis and the account of the fall of man, or a psalm of lament.Read the responses of the witnesses in the bible who went through profound suffering. Read and reflect on Psalm 13.Remember what God promises. And speak those promises back to him. Read Exodus 3:7-8, Psalm 34:18, Hebrews 4:15, Revelation 21:4. “Lord you say… in your Word, help me believe these promises today.”Talk to someone. Your greatest need in tragedy may not be an answer to why you are in your current situation, your greatest need may be for someone to share in your grief. Galatians 6:2 models that we are to bear one another’s burdens, allow someone to do that for you.

The post The Clarity of Scripture in Times of Tragedy appeared first on Sightline Ministry.

If you selected to read this article, it’s probably because the title felt relevant to you. Every bone in my body wishes an article on the world falling apart would be utterly irrelevant. And yet, here we are.

Ask someone 20 years ago what the future would look like, and they might paint a picture of robot assistants, towering buildings, and flying cars. Ask someone today what the future will look like, and you might get a post-apocalyptic landscape of bomb shells, empty food stores, government collapse, and total anarchy. I would bet most of us have even wondered how much time humanity has left to live.

I’m typically not a doom-and-gloom kind of guy, but at the same time, I can understand the motive behind it. Fear and uncertainty grip us like a stubborn cold. With the rising tide of violence, ongoing wars, political unrest, economic stresses, and environmental concerns, we face real threats today, and we anticipate many more looming on the horizon. How should Christians respond when the world around us is falling apart?

Finding Hope in History’s Chaos

An article on the world falling apart is not just relevant for today. In many ways, it always has been. Every generation of faithful believers, from Abraham to the present, has faced the reality that we live in a broken, unstable world.

Are things worse than they’ve ever been? Compared to the wars and captivities in Old Testament times, the oppressions and revolts in New Testament times, the collapse of the Roman empire, the Black Death, two world wars, evil regimes, famines, plagues, political upheavals, and countless other devastating events in human history, I’m hesitant to say so.

This isn’t to downplay the felt problems of our present moment, or to say things won’t get worse. But I am saying this: As Christians, we are not untethered from a rich history of wisdom from faithful believers who lived before us in chaotic times. As you will soon see, by looking into our past, we will be able to look into the future.

A Biblical Perspective on Fear: The Story of Elisha

Imagine living as an Israelite in the 9th century B.C., when the mighty Syrians waged war against your cities. One day, you wake up to find a massive army surrounding your small city. There is no escape, and as far as anyone in the city knows, their world is about to end. Welcome to 2 Kings 6.

Reading this story, we find a fascinating exchange between the prophet Elisha and his servant. It says in verses 15–16, “When the servant of [Elisha] got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’”

Seeing Beyond the Immediate Threat

Who are the people “who are with us” Elisha referred to, and why wasn’t his servant aware of this? We find out in the next verse. Elisha prays to God to open the servant’s eyes, and suddenly he sees horses and chariots of fire on the hillside—angelic warriors to defend Elisha and God’s people.

This is one of many examples where, in the midst of chaos, we fail to see the bigger realities of God. Fear has a way of doing that. Although our problems are not the same as Elisha’s, our solutions are. We need to expand our vision. We have a God who spoke the universe into existence by his voice, a God who led the Israelites out of Egypt, and a God who raised Jesus back from the dead. Scripture repeatedly calls God the “Lord of Hosts,” referring to our God’s command over his heavenly armies. He is good, faithful, powerful, and nothing catches him by surprise.

Choosing Your Reality: Fear vs. Faith

“Sure, but let’s be real,” you might say. Perhaps you could generate a long list of examples of terrible things happening in our world. Those are real problems, ones we can’t gloss over with a nice Bible devotional.

Real? Hebrews 1:3 says that God upholds the universe by the word of His power! Is that not also real?

The fact is, there are both troubling and encouraging realities in our world. The question, then, is which realities do you believe are greater, and which ones do you choose to set your mind to?

In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul tells us that we are children of the light, not children of darkness. We think differently from those who have no hope. Our command, then, is to live accordingly, “wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever” (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10).

When you read the lineup of faithful individuals throughout Biblical history in Hebrews 11, you’ll find that faith is a forward-looking trust in the promises of God and a posture of obedience. This trust comes from witnessing God continually show his power over darkness in our lives, and in the lives of those who came before us. That’s a big reason why the author of Hebrews was inspired to walk us through the faith-filled history of God’s people.

How to Move Forward with Hope

We have found that when the world falls apart, we may be tempted to shrink back in fear and anxiety. Our response is to fix our attention on the greater realities of God.

By all means, let’s get involved to care for this generation and its future in practical ways. We should be good stewards of this planet and of the powers we have with God to bring healing. But at the core of our motivation should be a rock-solid conviction in the assurance of our God.

This is not just a motivational pep talk to make us feel better about ourselves as we go about our day. God calls us to a life of faith and trust. The encouragement from Scripture is the food we need to be grounded in our faith that we might live obediently in that way. And if faith truly comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), then perhaps we should spend less time scrolling and more time with God and Scripture. Let us also remember those who came before us as we seek to continue their legacy, focusing on gratitude toward God while trusting Him as we share with others the story of a God who remains steady in a world that isn’t. Then we will be ready to respond as the righteous ones in Psalm 112:7, which declares,

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

The post What to Do When the World Falls Apart: A Guide to Hope appeared first on Sightline Ministry.

Each new year presents fresh challenges that people face. It can feel overwhelming as we witness people struggle and be negatively affected in this broken world.

And at the same time, we can be part of seeing real change. By seeking to understand what those we care about are experiencing, and seeking to come alongside them, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to people.

Here are six challenges in culture to be aware of in 2026.

Confusion about Reality

In 2025, we have seen a dramatic rise in all things related to AI. While it has its benefits, it is causing confusion – especially among young people – around the answer to the question, “what is real?” This is perhaps the quintessential question for Generation Alpha as they emerge into cultures where what they see online and accept as real may not be images, voices, or video that actually correspond to reality, but instead are all manufactured by AI. This not only relates to realms of convenience (AI assistants), and entertainment (AI-generated content), but into actual relationships with the rise of AI companions.

It is far too early for anyone to know for certain the far reaching consequences of this unprecedented spread of AI into nearly all categories of daily life. However, we do know it shows no signs of slowing and we continue to see growing concerns over its seemingly unchecked acceleration in culture.

The Splinternet

The internet, and especially social media, now functions as the splinternet. The splinternet is the fragmentation of the internet into smaller communities of thought and interest.

Due to advanced algorithms, censorship, and other factors, individuals regularly consume and see news and content that is unique to them. This influences their worldview and opinions as they consume a constant drip of custom information. This is why two individuals can hear news of the same event and yet have very different narratives of what happened, making it hard to understand one another, find common ground, and appreciate each other’s views.

Syncretistic Spirituality

92% of Americans have a syncretistic spiritual worldview, meaning they collect spiritual ideas from a variety of avenues to form their beliefs and behaviors. In the West, we live in a post-Christian society where the majority of individuals hold to post-modern thoughts of relative truth, desiring to find a spirituality that works for them rather than necessarily seeking what is true.

Many aren’t concerned whether or not Christianity is true, but whether or not it is good and beautiful. As Christians, we must understand the times in which we live, and what people believe, in order to share Jesus with them.

Loneliness

It’s been said that we are more connected than ever before and yet are lonelier than ever before. How can this be? Well, loneliness is not caused by a lack of friends, it’s caused by a lack of meaningful connection.

Loneliness is an epidemic in our world. Today, 45% of young people report being moderately or extremely lonely.  Almost 40% of young people say they have no one to talk to and feel left out, and 45% feel as if no one understands them. The stats are haunting. 

Related: The Biggest Challenge for Christianity in 2025

Mental Health

The mental health crisis continues to accelerate. For example, 47% of young people report being moderately or extremely depressed and 55% of young people report being moderately or extremely anxious. Across the board, almost one in three adults report symptoms of anxiety and depression. And tragically, nearly one in five senior pastors contemplated self-harm or suicide within the past year.

This is significant. People are suffering mentally like never before. As Christians, we have the opportunity to show up, care, come alongside people, and help them get connected to the help they need.

Porn Use

The number of Christians and non-Christians consuming porn continues to rise. A recent study found that over half of practicing Christians regularly view porn. At Sightline, we continue to come across statistics and stories, witnessing the damage porn consumption does to people’s mental health, relationships, and view of sex. 

Real freedom can be found, but it starts with admitting help is needed and seeking help from God and qualified individuals and programs such as our friends at Pure Desire. It is also important to keep in mind that the root of this problem is not pleasure seeking, but rather a core issue at the heart of our identity. If, as Christians, we neglect to regularly meditate and reflect the truth of who made us, why we were made and where true satisfaction is found, these trends will only continue to accelerate. 

As Christians, we have a mandate but also an incredible opportunity to come alongside Christians and non-Christians alike who are experiencing brokenness in this world. We have the opportunity to love like Jesus and share the hope that we have in Him. We have the opportunity to walk with people and truly show care for them. 

Think about the people in your life. Who is one person that is dealing with one of the five challenges mentioned above? Once identified, I’d encourage you to take the following steps. First, pray for them regularly. Second, learn more about what they are facing. For example, if it is anxiety, check out the resources available at resolutionmovement.org. Third, ask them questions to seek to understand them. Show genuine care for them in your responses. Be like Jesus to them and where appropriate, share how Jesus has brought hope and purpose to your life.

For more resources on the issues of loneliness, mental health, and porn use, check out our initiative Resolution Movement at resolutionmovement.org. To go deeper on understanding syncretism and different spiritual worldviews, check out this YouTube Playlist from Matthew Tingblad. 

 

The post Six Challenges in Culture to Watch for in 2026 appeared first on Sightline Ministry.

A dangerous trend is accelerating in our culture among Christians and non-Christians alike. We are streaming hours of content that fill our screens and our minds with messages that celebrate the decay of truth, approve of all lifestyle decisions, and prescribe self affirmation as the best medication for any mental or spiritual struggles. We bathe our minds in these messages for up to seven hours per day. The result is cultural influence on a scale never seen before. It’s not only rewiring our brains and impacting our view of the world around us, it is redefining and distorting our view of God. This is a problem worth understanding so we both realize the implications and know how to move forward. First, we need to know this problem is not new.

 

An Ancient Problem: “You thought I was like you…”

Throughout Psalm 50, God contrasts the righteous with the wicked in Israel and states how the behavior and worship of the wicked is horribly skewed because they willingly put themselves under the influence of ungodly nations. As a result, they’re worshipping God as they want Him to be instead of how He is. They are reciting His name and claiming His covenant promises all while living in rebellion against Him. The way God calls out this problem is by stating in verse 21, “you thought I was exactly like you.” This was the heart of their problem, and it’s at the heart of our problem too. The implications are disastrous.

 

Related: Why You Can’t Use the Bible to Challenge God’s Goodness

 The Sole Attribute of the God We’re Settling For

The most important thing to consider is what happens when we get God wrong. Our infinite God has dozens of eternal and glorious attributes. The depths of each one could not be mined in a thousand lifetimes. However, the god created in our image has only one attribute worth considering. It is the anti-attribute of the God who is.

 

A god who is limited

The god presented in culture today is limited in power, knowledge, freedom, love and ability. He conveniently conforms to you. His desires are limited to your desires. His plans are limited to your plans. His will is limited to your will. Ultimately, you are his god. This is fully alien to the God we find is Scripture. He shares His sovereignty with none (Is 44:8), He is all powerful (Psalm 62:11), is Himself love (1 John 4:8), knows all (Hebrews 4:13) acts freely according to His pleasure (Isaiah 46:10), and works all things according His will (Ephesians 1:11b).

A god who is limited can have exactly none of these attributes. This god is also a god who is unnecessary, especially for salvation. That kind of god fits nicely in our culture today because the prevailing conclusion from culture’s most streamed voices is that there is nothing from which we need to be saved. Everyone is a good person. Every worldview is correct. Every belief, as long as it’s sincere, is true. This is diametrically opposed to the truth we find in Scripture. We are in desperate need of salvation (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6); God alone is Savior (Isaiah 43:11); He has offered this salvation through Christ alone (John 6:44, John 14:6), and He saves us in the midst of our sin when we call upon Him (Romans 5:8, Romans 10:3) and saves us to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).

 

A Culture That Needs Redirection

What step can you take to redirect culture to the truth of who God is? Do we just write culture off as hopeless? Of course not. As mentioned above, this problem isn’t new in the least. It’s only on display for all to see like never before. And herein lies the opportunity. A problem that is easier to see is also easier to discuss. Fortunately, you aren’t called to take on culture as a whole. However, you can start with the culture that surrounds you. Your neighbors, co-workers, family members and more are all part of culture and have almost inevitably been influenced by this information revolution. Now, more than ever, is the time to be prepared to specifically and carefully share about who God is and who we are in light of who He is. Be on the lookout for these moments in discussions with those in your area of influence.

 

Related: Your True Identity: Loved by God, Not Used by Culture

 

In the age where voice overload never stops, people all around you are reaching a thousand different and contradictory conclusions about who God is. As such, gone are the days where you can simply mention “God” and have people know to whom you are referring. However, here are the days when people are more open to discuss spiritual things, which makes today a great day to carefully share truths that directly combat the distortions of reality all around us.

Our culture is lovesick. Partly because we are created to love, and partly because the modern understanding of love is greatly distorted. Our media is filled with stories that shape our expectations of what love should be, and it’s not always for the better. We hope for love, try it out, and are often left feeling empty and dissatisfied.

In Scripture, we read that God is love and loves perfectly, but what happens when that is read through the lens of modern culture? Culture distorts love in 3 core ways: equating love with feeling, utility, and desire. Each of these concepts fails to capture what love truly is and leaves us longing for more.

 

Lie #1: Love is Just a Feeling

Some of the most powerful feelings one can have are encompassed in the phrase “falling in love.” But with the power of those emotions comes culture’s desire to romanticize love and mistake the feeling of love for what love is. To say love is only a feeling is to treat it as a temporary emotional experience—butterflies in the stomach or a “happily ever after.”

 

The Destructive Consequence

We all know feelings fade. To base love on feelings leads to instability as emotions shift and waver. If love is just a feeling, what happens when attraction fades or when hardship strikes? Does that mean we’ve simply “fallen out of love”? According to this understanding, when the spark dies, so does the relationship. This leads to instability, anxiety, and a restless pursuit of the next good feeling.

 

Lie #2: Love is a Transaction (Utility)

Love requires a choice, which is part of what makes it meaningful. An act of love displays the value of the one being chosen. But human beings are selfish, and sadly that choice is often manipulated for personal gain. Our consumer culture teaches us to view relationships as transactional. Love’s value only goes as far as its usefulness. This is witnessed when people hold love over someone’s head for manipulation or say, “I won’t love you unless…”.

 

The Destructive Consequence

This conditional, utilitarian love leads to fear, insecurity, and unhealthy performance-based acceptance. At its core, it reduces people to tools that only have instrumental value. We long to be loved for who we are, not what we can provide. This transactional approach feels more like captivity than freedom.

 

Lie #3: Love is Selfish Desire

Love partly consists of desire, but far too often, love is reduced only to desire. Our culture, hypersexualized by pornography and hookups, often equates lust with love. This is to say that love is simply the desire for something. If I desire it, if I want it, then I love it.

Another distortion is to say love equals affirmation—that the only loving response is to affirm whatever someone chooses to do. Yet love without truth can affirm someone right into their own destruction.

 

The Destructive Consequence

Love as mere desire consumes rather than gives. It objectifies people, and though temporary cravings may be satisfied, it leaves a profound emptiness behind. Deep down, we long for intimacy and faithfulness—not to be consumed.

 

The Truth: What the Bible Says God’s Love Is

So how does Scripture shatter these distortions? In 1 John 4:8 we read, “God is love.” This does not mean God has loving feelings; it means love is His very being and character.

God’s Love is Unchanging: Unlike feelings, God’s love is not fickle because His character does not change (Malachi 3:6).God’s Love is a Choice: In Ephesians 1:4-5, we read that God chooses us. Romans 5:8 says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. His love is not a transaction dependent on our actions; it is freely given because we are inherently valuable as his creation.God’s Love is Sacrificial: My dad taught me, “love is an act of my will for the betterment of someone else, regardless of the cost.” Jesus states in John 15:13 that “greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.”

While culture’s distorted love produces fragile and fleeting relationships, God’s love is true, faithful, freeing, and forever. Love is not simply what you feel, use, or want—it’s who God is, best represented by the Son of God dying on a cross for you.

One of the most common objections to Christianity is that God is not good. Critics point to passages of God’s judgment, his commanding the Israelites to engage in warfare, or a host of stories where God’s actions seem cruel or uncaring.

The attribute of God’s goodness is one of my deepest passions. It’s so critical that I have dived deep into these “problem passages,” even writing a book on them. After all, if we see God as good, we will give our lives to his purposes. But if God is not good, Christianity falls apart. No wonder this attribute has been subject to so much attack!

Yet despite the fact that we can discover God’s goodness when we dive deep, I believe such dives are not necessary to face this challenge. I’m serious. Keep reading to see what I mean.

 

Related Content: Attributes of God

 

The Unspoken Assumption Critics Make

Many people—Christians and non-Christians alike—read the Bible assuming they get to determine whether God is good based on his actions. This is understandable. We have a God-given moral compass, and we use it to judge the conduct of others. But using that same compass to judge God’s actions in the Bible falls into a clear-cut logical fallacy.

Here’s the rub: the same Bible that contains God’s severe judgments also explicitly teaches about God’s goodness. By my count, there are 63 verses that speak plainly to the goodness of God. Psalm 100:5a, for example, says, “for the LORD is good.” The Bible doesn’t leave room for us to make our own judgments about God’s character; the conclusion is already made. One may choose to disagree, but doing so undermines the very text they use for their argument!

 

The Logical Argument for God’s Goodness in Scripture

The error critics make becomes clear when spelled out in a simple deductive argument:

 

Premise 1: If the Bible is true, then everything it teaches is true.

This statement is true by definition.

 

Premise 2: The Bible teaches that God is good.

This is proven by dozens of clear teachings in the Bible, as mentioned above.

 

Conclusion: Therefore, if the Bible is true, God is good.

This conclusion follows logically from the first two premises.

 

Critics who use the Bible to argue that God is evil must first assume the Bible is true for their argument to have any weight. But once they assume the Bible is true, they are confronted with dozens of clear affirmations that God is Good! This doesn’t mean stories of judgment are false, but that a good God must have good reasons for those actions. This is the only possible landing point when the Bible is assumed to be true.

 

What If the Bible is Inconsistent?

Granted, one may argue that God’s actions in the Bible are so clear that there is no possible moral justification. That is a dangerously bold statement to make! (See Isaiah 55:9, Job 38–41, and Ezekiel 18:25.)

But even if that were the case, the best one could say is that the Bible is inconsistent with itself and therefore can’t be trusted. That is a different issue from whether God is good. An untrustworthy Bible would mean we must suspend our judgment of God’s goodness, not affirm that God is evil.

 

Related Content: Why Would God Ask Us to Fear Him

 

A Simple Truth to Remember and Share

As you can see, we never need to be afraid of difficult passages overthrowing our understanding of God’s goodness. While this doesn’t address every concern (like the problem of pain and suffering), it provides a solid foundation.

Again, I would encourage you to check out my book on the subject—Why Did God Do That?—where I show how God’s goodness is proclaimed even in the hardest passages. But as you have seen, it doesn’t take a whole book to confidently share this truth! Just commit the general argument above to memory. While you’re at it, commit one of my favorite verses to memory for these conversations:

“Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.” (Lamentations 3:32–33 NLT)

That verse is just as true as any challenging passage you might stumble upon in the Bible.

In the age of cancel culture and condemnation, as believers, how should we be responding and engaging?

 

The Culture of Condemnation vs. The Example of Jesus

In New Testament times, amidst a society which held to punitive action in response to wrongdoing, Jesus entered the scene – with mercy. That must have been earth shaking.

To the accusers of a woman caught in adultery who was about to be stoned, He said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone” (John 8:7). Imagine the angry, condemning people, out for blood. What must they have thought as they considered the words they just heard. One by one, the members of the crowd walked away.

Left standing alone with the woman, Jesus said, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on, sin no more.”

As believers, we have also been met by Jesus in this way – with grace, a charge to repent, turn away from our sin, turn back to God, and to lead one another on in love.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

– Ephesians 4:32

God has given us an immeasurable gift of grace and calls us to a high standard of doing the same for others as well.

 

A Higher Calling: 3 Steps for a Christ-Like Response

Three steps we can take to accomplish this are: 1) have a heart of gratitude for what God has done for us, 2) acknowledge that God loves and desires for everyone to be reconciled to Him; and 3) speak truth in love as we engage with others.

 

Step 1: Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

– Colossians 2:6-7

Gratitude is a critical component that positions our hearts to be in alignment with God. When we remember what God has done for us – remember where we were in our brokenness when He met us – how can we help but be grateful? If ever we forget this gift, we can begin to feel unappreciative, entitled, and judgmental.

These things are not in line with God’s character, and they grieve Him. It is humility, peace, and joy that He desires for us. The root of these is having a heart of gratitude.

 

Step 2: Acknowledge God’s Love for Everyone

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”

– 1 Timothy 2:1-4

As easy as it is to take offense to what others do, God calls us to a higher perspective – one of love. God not only desires for us to draw closer to Him and grow in Christ-likeness, but He also desires that for everyone else too.

We are to be a light in this world (Matthew 5:14-16) and as Christ is our example, to follow in His footsteps (1 Peter 2:21-25). He died for us all.

 

Step 3: Speak Truth in Love, Not in Anger

“… let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

-Ephesians 4:23, 31-32

Speaking truth in love through kindness and respect is a powerful force of healing and growth. We never know who we’re interacting with that may never have been spoken to in that way – or how they might learn from us. We never know how God will work in their hearts when we engage with them by His example.

 

Putting Grace into Practice

Imagine the ripple effect of extending grace with truth and love to those around us who have never experienced it before.

The judgment and condemnation of cancel culture is not in alignment with God’s character. As believers we have a higher calling – to, by our Christ-like example, show others what it looks like to extend grace.

 

Resources for Deeper Healing and Forgiveness

AUTHOR’S NOTE: In this article, we touched on the surface of grace. There are many different levels of wrongdoing and complexity when it comes to what it means to forgive. When personal trauma and/or emotional/psychological pain is involved, healing is also a significant part of the process. Although we are unable to address these things in this article, there are many resources available which do.

Online resources:

Forgiveness Does Not Require Trust: Friend of Josh McDowell and the ministry, Dr. Henry Cloud, distinguishes forgiveness and trust, a common misunderstanding about forgiveness.Undaunted: The Early Life of Josh McDowell: Josh McDowell’s personal story of forgiveness of his abuser.

Seeking professional help when needed is also very important to the healing process when needed. For believers seeking assistance from someone with a biblical foundation, it’s important to look for recommended and accredited Christian counselors.

The Cultural Double Standard on Morality

Why is it culturally appropriate for an individual to deem certain actions as wrong, but not others? When I look at our cultural climate, I see certain actions that are easily condemned such as racism, sexism, body-shaming, and cultural appropriation. At the same time, other actions are said to be unjudgeable such as sexual promiscuity, same sex relationships, abortion, transitioning, and even sometimes drug use. From a Christian perspective, all of these actions do not fall in line with God’s design, and thus are wrong. Why then are some condemned in culture and others not?

It seems that moral judgments are only allowed today when someone is seen to infringe on another’s freedom, identity, or self expression. And moral judgments are not allowed when someone exercises those freedoms in self directed ways. This leaves society in great moral ambiguity, as moral truth is reduced to what an individual feels is right for them. If that is the standard, how can we call someone else out for injustice or wrong doing? If they felt as if it was right, and was an expression of their freedom, identity, and self expression, who are we to say they are wrong? If we call them out, we risk being labeled a bigot, exclusive, or intolerant. But I don’t think intolerance is always wrong, and here is why.

 

Finding a Better Standard: God’s Objective Moral Order

I think there is a better moral standard than the cultures’ subjective and situational standard. If God created the world, which I believe he did and have good reasons for, that means all of creation is infused with a moral order based on His character and nature. This is the traditional Christian understanding and this standard of right and wrong applies to all people through all time. It’s objective and universal. A universal moral order provides something modern society’s standard cannot, which is a foundation to do justice.

 

Related Content: If God is So Loving, Why Can’t He Be More Tolerant of Sin?

 

Why Moral Relativism Fails the Test of Justice

If modern society is right and no one can infringe on another’s freedom, identity, and self expression, then we cannot judge their actions based on anything other than what they feel to be right. This means just about anything is permissible. It’s a terrible standard for justice. In contrast, a moral order outside of our opinion, or majority vote allows people to hold others to that same standard. Thus, it’s a source for doing real justice, rather than opinion against opinion. I once heard the story of a moral relativist professor who went to Africa to confront the male leaders of a tribe for abusing women in their community. But when speaking to the leaders they asked her, “why should we stop? In our culture, we feel it is right.” The professor, holding to her belief that moral truth is relative, had nothing to say other than she feels as if it was wrong.

 

An Objective Foundation for Human Dignity

In reality, it’s wrong to abuse women, not because of feeling or cultural standards but because it violates the truth that all human beings are created in the image of God and therefore should be treated with dignity and respect. To do justice and call people to live as they ought, there must be a universal moral standard of right and wrong for all people at all times. 

 

Redefining Tolerance: The Modern vs. The Biblical View

Now, calling others out for their behavior to a higher moral standard goes against one of the great virtues of modern culture today which is tolerance. One of the outworkings of the subjective and situational modern moral standard is that tolerance has been redefined from its traditional sense. Modern tolerance may be defined as all truths, all behaviors, all values, all practices are equally valid, and thus we respect and affirm everyone’s choices and beliefs. This is not how tolerance has been viewed through history, and is not a Biblical understanding. The Biblical understanding says that we are to recognize and respect others because they are created in the image of God and have value and worth even though we may not personally share their values, beliefs or practices.

 

Why Biblical Intolerance Can Be the Most Loving Action

When we speak truth and call out wrong behavior or injustice, we are being intolerant of anything that goes against the true moral order. And anyone who lives their life in a way that goes against God’s good design is walking a path of deep pain, suffering, and eventually death and separation. Thus, to be intolerant of someone’s behavior is to see value in the individual and call them to the life-giving nature of walking in God’s good design. In reality, being intolerant of certain behaviors is loving because it calls people to the life of God.

 

Speaking the Truth in Love 

As a Christian steeped in a culture that promotes tolerance as not just respecting others beliefs and behaviors but affirming them to be equally valid as my own, I wrestle with how to communicate God’s design in a loving way. I’m reminded of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:1 which says “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging symbol.” The relationship you have with others in your life is the medium over which truth is communicated and it must be characterized by love, mercy and grace. If it is not, truth will be rejected.

 

More From Cru: Family Life: Understanding Intolerance

 

A Real-Life Story: The Power of Loving Correction

I’m intolerant of behaviors which go against God’s moral standard which all of humanity shares. And I am intolerant because I love people, and desire to see them walk with Jesus and experience life in relationship with him. A good friend of mine once identified as gay and is now a follower of Christ. I’ll never forget what he told me about someone who spoke truth into his life. He said that someone “loved me enough to affirm my true value, yet did not approve of my behavior, called it out as wrong, and yet shared the path to life which involved the denial of myself.” And in reality, it was not in following his heart where he found true freedom and satisfaction, he found it while surrendered to Jesus.

 

Conclusion: How to Stand for Truth with Grace

In summary, if modern society is right and there is no moral standard apart from how one feels and expresses themselves, intolerance is wrong. But there is a moral standard and as loving believers in Jesus we should call people up to that standard because it is right and how we ought to live. But this must be done in real personal face to face relationships characterized by listening, love, mercy, and grace. After all, that’s how God interacts with us.

In today’s society, discussion around justice mostly involves either fair distribution of resources or punishment of lawbreakers. God’s justice reveals a bigger picture that involves how we treat one another, especially those in need, and how we deal with sin.

 

The Problem with a Human-Centered View of Justice

What it means to be just has been debated throughout the centuries across different cultures. From what I have learned, there are two aspects of justice that people are concerned about: distribution of resources and the punishment of lawbreakers. There are nuances between worldviews and cultures, but the general idea is that justice must be fair; unaffected by bias or personal agendas. So how can justice be fair? Justice is often couched within laws intended to be impartial, so that could keep things fair. Unfortunately, while laws are intended to be impartial, the people writing them are not and that allows for the possibility of partiality working its way in. Laws do not always serve the best interests of all affected people, and the law is always changing based on needs and cultural values rather than staying consistent with principles of morality.

 

Related: Three Crucial Truths when God’s Justice Seems Too Severe

 

Overall, standards of secular justice rely on humanity’s own limited rationale, culture, and sometimes even our desires. As a result, the distribution of justice can become arbitrary. No one is ever satisfied by an arbitrary justice though and so people continuously seek a form of justice that is good and pure. Why is this? I believe it is because we are all created in God’s image and pursuing justice for all people reflects our creator’s love and fulfills his commands. Without an ultimate standard in the creator, justice can only ever be poorly defined and warped by humanity. Justice determined by God is truly fair.

 

What Does the Bible Say About God’s Justice?

So what is truly good and fair about God’s justice? It rests on the idea that all are created equally in God’s image and that sin must be dealt with.

 

Justice as Right Relationships and Love

Romans 12:9-21 is a good description of what just behavior looks like. The apostle Paul wrote this passage to the church in Rome to remind the believers there of how they are to treat one another. According to him, just behavior is loving one another, rejecting evil, serving the Lord, humility, and living peacefully with others. It also involves doing good for all even if those that despise you. Going back to the Old Testament, before modern philosophy and political theories debated the topic of justice, God set his chosen people (the Israelites) apart by giving them a law that distinguished them from the corrupt nations around them and promoted truly just treatment for all (See Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). The people were expected to share their resources with those in need and to not discriminate against others, like the poor and the resident alien (Deuteronomy 10:18-19, 15:7-11). Godly justice emphasizes right relationships with God and with other people. This is achieved by obeying God’s commands out of love, not just obligation.

 

Justice as Righteous Judgment on Sin

Treating others justly is caring for them because they are made in God’s image, but what does it look like to deal with evil justly? In the Old Testament law, sin needed to be atoned for through more than just animal sacrifice, but also personal repentance. Sin needed to be confessed by the guilty and forgiven by God. Certain sins however were punished severely, like how Israel was commissioned by God to completely destroy the Canaanite peoples for their sin.

 

Related: If God is so Loving Why Can’t He Be More Tolerant of Sin?

 

Reconciling God’s Judgment with His Mercy

Though this is difficult to reckon with by today’s standards, the Canaanite nations surrounding Israel were aware of the true God for centuries and had refused to repent of their corrupt practices. Also, the Old Testament describes laws intended to protect “resident aliens” among the Israelites, suggesting that individuals who were once a part of these nations could repent of their sin and be spared like Rahab in Joshua 2:8-14. Isaiah 56:1-8 reflects this idea with the author telling the foreigners that if they follow the Lord’s commands and pursue justice, they will be welcome in the Lord’s house. Meanwhile, the unrighteous leaders of Israel are condemned as described in Isaiah 56:9-57:2 for their apathy and ignorance. Today, we are not called to launch militant crusades against the unrighteous – that was specifically a command for Israel regarding the Canaanites within their own historical context – but it does act as an illustration of both God’s mercy and his punishment.

 

Jesus: The Perfect Display of God’s Justice

Jesus himself pursued justice in his ministry by justly condemning sin. He did this by exerting his divine, authoritative power over consequences that stem from our sin (namely, the Fall). This includes healing the sick (Matthew 9:18-31), having compassion on those in need (Mark 6:30-44), giving salvation to the repentant (Luke 19:1-10), and condemning evil and corruption (Mark 7:1-13). All this was intended to glorify God, and to serve others, while also inspiring them to pursue justice themselves. Of course, the ultimate act of Jesus’ condemnation of sin is described in 2 Corinthians 5:21 where He takes on the wrath of God on our behalf. 

 

Our Call to Action: How to Live Justly Today

By giving his life and rising from the dead, Jesus provided redemption for all willing to receive it. For believers, God’s justice is reflected in how we show kindness to those in need without expecting a reward (Luke 14:7-14) and how we condemn sin and lead others to repentance through goodwill and faithfulness.

Every day we can choose justice by being kind to those we meet, sharing God’s message where we can, and condemning sin and injustice. Maybe you can volunteer for an event that serves the poor or even just choose to be kind to someone at the grocery store even if you don’t know them. To better understand God’s justice, you can study the Bible and pray about what you are called to do. I also recommend talking with wise Christians in your life about what it means to be just.

The Root of Our Insecurity: Unmet Emotional Needs

According to Dr. David Ferguson, we have 10 essential emotional needs that we are seeking to fulfill: Attention, Acceptance, Appreciation, Support, Encouragement, Affection, Respect, Security, Comfort, and Approval. 

Much research has been done to identify why people struggle with unwanted behaviors such as addictions and compulsive behaviors. At the core, these struggles are rooted in the lack of the healthy fulfillment of these basic needs. 

Perhaps you have experienced something similar to my friend who we will call Dave.

“I can’t walk into my office without feeling like an imposter. I’m constantly thinking things like: you don’t really know what you are doing here, if they knew my failures or lack experience, they would fire you in an instant. Or with my friends I’m constantly thinking, if they really knew who I was, they wouldn’t be my friend”.

 

→ Related: Do we Discover or Create our Identity?

 

These feelings of inadequacy and insecurity have been the driver of Dave’s sexual addiction and alcohol abuse. Through conversation, I’ve seen two things rise to the surface, Dave struggles with his identity, and Dave does not feel as if his emotional needs are met. God has created every human being with core emotional needs that he desires to meet. And He has designed life in such a way that these needs are met in healthy relationships as well. When these needs go unmet, we medicate them with whatever is easy and pleasurable. But when they are met in healthy ways in relationship with God and others, we thrive.

 

The 10 God-Given Emotional Needs We All Share

 

1. The Need for Attention

We all need people to think about us and convey appropriate care, interest, concern, and support for us. We want to be noticed, for someone to take interest in us. Unfortunately, many of us have experienced either the lack of this need, or selective attention for the benefit of someone else. I fear that many only receive attention due to selfish reasons of the giver. The lack of healthy attention from respected individuals can lead to poor self-image, being consumed with negative self thought, feeling like one lacks worth, and feeling unlovable. 

When we have the attention of someone else, it communicates that I am understood. Rather than feeling worthless, unworthy, consumed with your appearance or competency, when we have the attention of others simply because of who we are, we are free to grow into a healthy self-image, confident about our skills, willing to serve and more attentive to others needs. 

David reflects on God’s attention towards himself in Psalm 139:1-3 where he states:

“O Lord, you have searched me and know me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.”
We have God’s attention, and we have the privilege to give others our attention as well. 

 

2. The Need for Acceptance

We all desire to be accepted for who we are, and not what we do. Sadly, many grow up today believing the lie that love at its core is conditional, and they must perform for others’ acceptance.  Throughout scripture we read that God’s love towards humanity is dependent on nothing other than us being his creation. This is a love which is not dependent on our actions or successes. It is simply God’s desire to see his children receive the free gift of forgiveness he has offered through the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

When we experience acceptance, it communicates that I am valued. Rather than feeling as if our value is based on our performance, insecure about our worth, defensiveness and having unhealthy motivation for work, when we experience healthy acceptance from God and others we become secure, confident, experience our true value and have a profound sense of peace about who we are.

Just as we are accepted by Christ, Romans 15:7 says that we are to “accept one another just as Christ has accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” 

We have God’s acceptance, and we have the privilege to accept others as well. 

 

3. The Need for Appreciation

We all desire others to communicate to us that they appreciate us and are grateful for our actions. Appreciation is to be thanked or encouraged for what you have done. While acceptance is about realizing that who we are matters, appreciation communicates that our actions matter. We long for someone to say, “well done” or “thank you” regardless of our performance.

When we experience appreciation, it communicates that I am capable. When this longing goes unmet, insecurity about our doing and self-doubt increases. But when someone expresses appreciation, we are motivated to do more, are affirmed of our doing, and experience a positive attitude toward our actions. 

Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:3-5 stating his gratitude for his sincere faith which is an act of appreciation. We have the privilege to appreciate others as well, no matter the outcome of their actions. 

 

4. The Need for Support

We all desire for someone to come alongside us and support us in difficult or challenging situations. Some of the loneliness times in life are experienced when circumstances exceed our ability to overcome them, and no one is there to help. 

When we experience support, it communicates that I am sustained. When this longing goes unmet, one may experience discouragement, a weariness towards life, fear of failure and timidity. But when we are supported, we experience the truth that we are not alone which leads to feeling encouraged, grateful, and empowered to give to others. 

We read in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” God is our support, and is with us, and we have the privilege to support others as well as Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

 

5. The Need for Encouragement

We all desire for someone to cheer us on, believe in us, affirm our effort, and fuel our motivation, and remind us who we are. We need people to inspire us with courage, spirit, and hope. Life can be overwhelming as expectations are placed on us at work, or in the home. 

When we are encouraged, it communicates that I can keep going. It shares that our effort matters. When this longing goes unmet, we can lack confidence, believe we are a failure, and have a defeatist attitude. But when we are encouraged, our attitude about the present circumstances changes for the better, we are empowered, and can face hardship or tasks with courage. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 states, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Encouragement breathes life into tired lives and motivates us to keep going. 

 

6. The emotional need for affection

We all desire to be cared for with gentle touch, and emotional engagement. Studies show that in addition to our physical needs being met, we also need healthy affection to promote a flourishing life. 

 

→ Related podcast: Beauty and Trust: Dealing with Anxiety

 

When we experience affection, it communicates I am loveable. When this need goes unmet, we can believe the lie that we are unlovable and worthless, experience a poor self image, and search for affection in unhealthy relationships or actions. But when we receive healthy affection, we build a sense of security and can receive and give affection to and from others. 

Romans 16:16 states, “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.”

 

7. The Need for Respect

We all need for others to hold us in high esteem and recognize our worth. We long to feel that our unique personality and contributions are needed and admired. 

When we experience respect, it communicates that I matter. You are worthy of being honored by others and being taken seriously. When this need goes unmet, we may experience feelings of unworthiness and inferiority, insecurity, a demanding spirit of others, a victim mindset, and an unhealthy intolerance of others. But when we experience respect, it allows us to experience our true value, our actions and presence are seen as meaningful, and we can develop a high self-worth. 

Romans 12:10 states, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” 

 

8. The Need for Security

We all need to feel safe. This goes beyond the common notion of physical safety which stems from adequate food and shelter to being financially secure, emotionally secure, and spiritually secure. We crave more than just being told that everything will be ok. We desire assurance and action from others. 

When we experience an assurance of safety, it communicates that I am secure. When this need goes unmet, one can experience great fear, insecurity, become controlling and possessive, and struggle with anxiety and worry. But when we experience security, it frees us to become confident, try new things and explore, and experiment without fear. 

God is our ultimate protector and provider, and we have the opportunity to make others feel secure as well. 

 

9. The Need for Comfort

We all need others to ease our grief and pain, as well as people who give us strength and hope. We were never meant to walk through suffering alone. One of the greatest acts of presence and comfort is the incarnation. When God became human in the person of Jesus. Because Jesus walked with us, suffered alongside us, and ultimately overcame death, we can find comfort in him. 

When we experience comfort, it communicates I am seen. When this need goes unmet, one can become bitter, fearful, controlling and possessive. But when we are comforted, we build a sense of competency and courage, feel safe to express our emotion, and experience our true value as we are soothed, consoled, embraced, and calmed. 

Hebrews 4:15 states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” 

 

10. The Need for Approval

We naturally seek the approval of those around us as we act and try to show our worth. We seek approval from others through the things we own, clothes we wear, or hobbies we partake in. Through scripture, we read that God actually delights in us. In Psalm 18:19, David expresses that God “delighted in me.” As Christians, we are approved of because Christ has forgiven us and set us free. 

When we experience approval, it communicates I belong. When this longing goes unmet, we may feel a deep desire to prove ourselves in everything, become performance oriented, work excessive amounts, and lack a healthy self confidence. But when we experience approval, it frees us to be produced, confident, and we experience a healthy self image. 

We crave for someone to celebrate us, choose us, cherish us, affirm us, and enjoy us. 

 

How to See yourself as God Sees You

If you feel the lack of any of these emotional needs, you are not alone. No one sails through life without experiencing some sort of lack, brokenness or pain. We all have moments when these needs were not met, and we sought out to meet them in illegitimate ways. It is possible to realign our view of ourselves to what is true, which is how God views us. We allow this transformation to take place with these three doable steps:

 

Step 1: Study God’s Character Through His Word

It’s a miracle in and of itself that we are loved, and even more so that we are loved by God himself. The significance of our needs being met by God is only seen in light of who he is, his character and nature, and what he has done for us. 

Further Study: The Attributes of God

 

 Step 2: Meditate on the Truth of How God Sees You

Pick out two or three bible verses which speak to your emotional needs, write them down, and carry them with you. Better yet, set them as your lock screen on your phone. As you view them, take moments to be quiet and receive God’s love. 

 

Step 3: Find Community with Mature Christians 

Each of the core needs are designed to be met by God. But God has also created us for relationships with others around us. In those relationships, we can experience these needs met in healthy ways as well. Surround yourself with brothers and sisters in Christ who see you for your true value, and love you like God does. 

The truest thing about you is what God says of you.