The Fear that God Really Does Exist
By Chaplain Doug Samples
Recently when I asked people about their fears,
I had a friend write me the following:
“I’ve got one fear that matters,
and a thousand little fears that don’t.
I’m afraid of…
the immense amount of loneliness I live with on a daily basis.
I am afraid of drowning in regret of a life not lived.
I am afraid of growing old, broke and alone.
I am afraid of never figuring out my real purpose in life.
Thousands of little fears.
But there is one fear that is the root of all my other fears.
A fear that haunts me every day,
keeps me awake at night,
and wiggles itself into every aspect of my life.
I’m afraid that god really does exist.
Funny thing is, I don’t even think I believe in god.
But I’m afraid that he exists.
I’m afraid that hell is going to be
exactly what I think it will be.
I can hear the screaming of tortured souls.
I can see the outstretched hands
reaching for relief that never comes.
My fear invades my dreams and fuels my nightmares.
I’m afraid that it has stolen my ability to hope.”
This fear has haunted me
from the very first moment my friend shared it with me.
How would you respond?
Here is my simple faith response
to this terrible fear about God:
1. I believe that God really does exist!
The Bible never tries to PROVE that God exists,
it simply states, “In the beginning, God…”
Christians and philosophers and Christian philosophers
have tried for centuries to prove God’s existence,
but you can’t prove it. You just accept it by faith…
or you choose to not accept it and hope that you’re right.
2. I believe that Hell really does exist!
I don’t necessarily think it’s a place of fire and brimstone.
Instead, I think it is a place/state that is totally and eternally
void of the presence of God and anything good.
3. I believe that God loves you more than you could ever imagine.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world…
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world
to condemn the world, but to save the world!
4. I believe that God offers us life, hope, salvation and purpose!
John 10:10 Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life…”
John 20:31 Jesus did many other miraculous things,
but these have been written so that you would believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that by believing you could have life in his name.
Throughout the Bible,
whenever God showed up…
people were afraid.
And often when He showed up,
His first words were, “Don’t be afraid!”
It’s like He knew His presence could be a bit intimidating.
The writer of Proverbs puts it in a good perspective:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Having a healthy fear and reverence for God is a good thing.
But please don’t let that fear paralyze you to the point
that you close your heart to His Love and Hope and Life and Salvation.
He came to love you and bring you the Very. Best. Life. Possible.
I invite you to use this form to share your prayer request with me.
