To the Girl Looking for More With Grace ValentineSýnishorn

More Jesus: To the Girl Thinking Jesus Doesn’t Make Sense

One day when I was seventeen, I cried to a mentor about my doubts. I wanted to believe that God was real. I wanted to believe that He was present and that Jesus rose from the dead. But let’s be honest— it didn’t make sense.

A couple of things about my life also didn’t make sense: Why was I placed in a small town in Louisiana? Why did God let me go through that breakup? Why did I have to endure bullying in middle school? And why did God allow even worse things to happen to people worldwide?

My mentor told me something powerful that day: Jesus came to save us, not to make sense.

Of course, the Bible can answer many questions. From the story of Adam and Eve, we see that bad things happen because sin broke the world that God created to be good. But that doesn’t fully explain why that bad thing happened to you, and it’s okay to wonder. You may never know why your parents got divorced or why you have a chronic illness. You may also not experience faith in the ways others do. You may never get chills during a worship song, and the stories in the Bible may always sound crazy. (A lot of them are!) But even in the doubts and questions, go to God. He is there. Be honest with Him. Ask your questions. Do you want Him to reveal Himself

clearly to you? Ask Him. Do you want Him to show you how that hurt you faced can be used now for His glory? Ask Him. Instead of demanding that God make sense, get to know Him.

In the Bible, Thomas was a follower of Jesus. After Jesus rose from the dead, other disciples said they had seen Jesus alive. But Thomas doubted. He needed to see for himself. So Jesus showed Thomas the holes in His hands from the cross. Then Thomas replied, “My Lord.”

I get that you want to see for yourself. Jesus didn’t get down on Thomas for doubting; He showed Thomas His wounds. So don’t just sit there questioning. Pray for God to show Himself to you. God cares about you and will give you what you need to believe. He might send you a friend, a mentor, a good song, or a scripture. Whatever happens, when you bring Him your questions, doubts, and concerns, you’ll discover that He really is right there with you.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for listening to my doubts and reaching me where I’m at. I ask that You reveal Yourself to me clearly. Help me have a heart that is eager to see You in my life. Amen.