"It works for me!" were the final words of an angry man as he ended our conversation.

During our discussion about faith, he suggested that my belief in God stemmed from a need to cope with death and dissatisfaction with life, implying that I was either mentally deluded or had been brainwashed.

Ignoring his condescending jabs, I asked him about his beliefs. He explained that while he believed in a God who created the world, he rejected the God of the Bible, finding it absurd to believe in a deity who helped a man build an ark and fill it with animals. He mentioned that he practiced meditation, believing one could reach a higher state through self-reflection, and embraced reincarnation, asserting that we return to each life improved, learning from our past experiences.

Belief

It's fascinating how people can embrace a wide range of ideas—conspiracy theories, the Big Bang, evolution, UFOs, reincarnation, and even Bigfoot. Some even believe in lizard people controlling the world, with a few so consumed by this notion that they’ve committed crimes in its name. It's intriguing how readily people adopt various beliefs, yet when God is mentioned, they often draw the line, dismissing it as absurd.

I told the man I was speaking with that I believed in God for many reasons, but two stood out. First, I’ve encountered Jesus in the spiritual realm. At that moment, he shot me a look that seemed to say, "I knew you were delusional."I departed from that point, realizing this was something only those who have had similar experiences could understand. I explained that there's ample evidence for God—creation itself, the Bible, and the historical reality of Jesus. When I asked him what his beliefs were based on, he got upset and simply said, "It works for me," before walking away.

It's interesting how many people suggest that my belief in God stems from a need for comfort for my anxious soul. First, it’s important to note that God doesn’t always comfort my flesh; instead, He desires better for me. That often means confronting the rebellious, sinful, narcissistic part of myself—my flesh, which is like a cancer that destroys us all. It's like a medical procedure—uncomfortable at first, but only bringing relief once I allow the doctor to do their work. Second, I didn’t choose a God who suits my needs; God chose me. I came to know Him, and now I serve and live for Him.

Does it Work?

Isn’t that the crux of humanity's dilemma? We often embrace every theory except God because those alternatives cater to our selfish needs. While God demands our lives, our beliefs tend to revolve around serving our desires. Even so-called Christians can adopt a "Santa Claus" view of God—believing in a deity who serves their needs and revolves around their desires.

We crave a form of independence, so we shape our beliefs to align with our lifestyles. This is why atheists often reject God vehemently; it allows them to justify the lives they choose to lead without accountability.

When an atheist claims they can be moral without God, they’re essentially saying they don’t need a divine standard to define morality. But that’s precisely what humanity requires—without God, morality becomes subjective and lacks a firm foundation. They prefer to answer to themselves, rather than to God.

I found it intriguing when the gentleman I was speaking with said he believed a God created the world, but he couldn't accept the God of the Bible because he thought that was silly. He believed in a God capable of creating the universe but incapable of helping a man build an ark—what kind of God is that? The truth is, he needed to believe that something created this world, yet he rejected the God of the Bible because that God challenged his independent nature and contradicted the life he had built around his beliefs. He claimed this life was working for him.

What do you truly believe? Is your belief based on what works for you, or are you open to the possibility that the truth may challenge your views? A person who dogmatically insists there is no God has made a choice that suits them—one that allows them to dismiss the possibility of a higher power. Their unwillingness to entertain the idea of God shows a need to cling to their beliefs. They aren’t open to being wrong and often feel compelled to criticize and mock those who choose to believe in God, dragging others down with them.

Everyone has the right to their beliefs, but believing in something simply because it works for you can lead to a form of blind faith. Consider Hitler, who believed the world would be better off without certain races—he thought this belief served him and society. True belief emerges only when we look beyond ourselves, examine all the evidence, and thoughtfully weigh our choices. This world is much larger than any one individual, so the answers we seek lie beyond our personal perspectives.