I never grew up questioning the existence of God. For as long as I can remember, God has been an integral part of my life, keenly aware of what was going on in mine. Like many in the black community, God and church were synonymous with my upbringing. In fact, a 2021 Pew Research Report notes that 97% of black people believe in God, and most identify Him as the God described in the Bible.

However, while this may be true for the majority of African Americans, a percentage still struggle with believing who God is. Some have a very strong and powerful relationship with God; others feel extremely disconnected.

Justin Ray traced interesting trends in “The Guardian” last year,” noting the rise of secularism among African-American communities. Many believed religion was a way to cope with life during slavery — generally why black Americans place a higher value on religiosity than white Americans. However, slavery is now an extinct institution; therefore, to some, the need for connection with God is irrelevant.

There is a text in Scripture that changed my perspective years ago on the realness of God, and I want to offer it as support. But before I unpack it, I would suggest that many have left God, or no longer believe in Him, out of disappointment.

Ever felt the pain of spiritual disappointment? Years ago, when I contracted Lyme disease and was on the brink of death, it caused me to question God’s existence. Pain will push you to ask certain questions that peace never will. In my battles with this disease, without full healing, I have at times wondered if God was there.

Is God really hearing my prayers? If so, why isn’t He answering them?

I am learning, though, that when these types of questions assault the soul, it’s usually born from disappointment or pain.

According to Romans 12:3, when we were born, all of us were given a measure of faith. What does that mean? It means we were born with an understanding that there is Someone greater than us.

When my wife was pregnant with both of our children, I would often lean down to her belly and begin talking to them. I could feel them kick and listen to them moving around inside of her, but at the time they couldn’t verbally respond to me. However, when they were born and I looked into their eyes and they looked back at me, it’s almost as if their expressions were telling me — you sound familiar. There was a familiarity, it seemed, to my voice that they had heard before.

Here’s a voice of real intrigue

When we were born with a measure of faith, there was a sense in us of some deity. God had been speaking life over us already, so that when we were born, we would already be familiar with His voice.

Let me take this a step further! Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” This is intriguing because it suggests that for an individual to fully understand who the Lord is and what He does, they must experience God for themselves. Following the Lord must be lived to be understood.

Is God real? God’s realness can best be communicated through an individual’s personal testimony! You cannot deny someone’s experience. You cannot discount what someone has lived through. When God reveals Himself through a miracle, a circumstance, or even through another person, it becomes personal.

There are several ways that God has communicated how real He is:

To some, He’s a given

One of the most practical ways God reveals His realness to us today is through His written word. Every single day we have the opportunity to understand who God is through Scripture. The Bible was not written to explain God; it was written with the understanding of the realness of God. It assumes God’s existence. And because God is real, it is our privilege, as His creation, to taste and see and find out about this amazing God.

I have discovered, though, that while many people don’t deny the existence of God, they — at times (as I do) — take issue with how God sometimes operates. Let me encourage someone today not to deny the existence of God simply because you don’t enjoy the season of life you are in. Seasons always change. God isn’t just real; He has a plan for your life!

Give it a shot

Is God real? That’s a question you can answer! If you are still doubting the existence of God, I want you to (maybe for the first time) pray to God. Praying is simply talking to God as you would talk to a friend. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you so that you can have a personal testimony about how real God is. Ask Him for undeniable evidence that He is real. I am confident God will respond to your sincere prayer and reveal Himself in a way you can understand. Once He does, you have tangible evidence that God is real, and you can share God’s realness with everyone you know!