Do you know who your God is? As Christian believers that may seem a rhetorical question. But if someone met you for the first time, read your Facebook posts, or watched how you spend your time, money and energy, what would they say about your God? And in truth, who is your God?
You can quote Scripture, plaster inspirational quotes on your social media, fluently use God-talk, show up at church every time the door is open and still demonstrate that you don’t really believe God is who He says He is.
If you were to truly love, worship, trust and follow the God you say you believe in, what would your life be like?
- What would you be afraid of?
- Would you continue to be anxious or upset?
- Would you worry about what other people thought of you?
- How would you spend your time and money?
- How would you care for your body?
- How would you treat other people?
You see, who your God is makes a difference far beyond the words you say. Considering what kind of God you serve is not simply an academic theological exercise. What you think, know and believe about God has a dramatic impact on your psychological well-being (among, of course, many other things).
For a number of years, Baylor University has conducted an extensive ongoing survey of religion in America. Their data show that people who believe in a punitive God—that God is out to punish you if you do something wrong—have significantly more psychological symptoms than those who believe in a benevolent God—that God is good and that He is on your side. That’s just one example.
The Bible’s Perspective
What you truly believe about God shows up powerfully in how you deal with fear and anxiety. If you could see Jesus right beside you with your physical eyes, do you think you would be afraid or anxious? Why do we think He’s any less with us because we cannot physically see Him?
Psalms says “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can people do to me?” (Ps. 118:6). The New Testament echoes the same thing: “So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. what can man do to me?'” (Heb. 13:6).
If you know that God is with you, and that He is for you, why would you be afraid of anyone or anything lesser?
So, who is this God that you and I serve? Who is it that we profess to believe and worship?
Who Is Your God?
Take a moment and review what you know about God.
This is the God who existed from before time began. He spoke the universe into existence with His word. He holds all the trillions of galaxies together in His hand, and at the same time holds the subatomic particles together in each atom with what scientists cannot fully explain but call “strong nuclear force.” Secular physicists can say whatever they wish, but you and I are either an accident that defies belief, or our God is a Creator greater than we can imagine.
This is the God who descended on Mount Sinai in a flaming cloud, and filled Solomon’s temple with so much glory the priests couldn’t enter. He swept back the Red Sea with a wave of His hand, and felled the walls of Jericho with a shout. He burned up Elijah’s sacrifice (including the altar and the water), and turned the sun backward for Hezekiah (can you imagine how “difficult” that would be?).
This is the God who showed up on Earth as a man. Try to get your mind around that amazing moment when Mary said to the angel, “May it be unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38b). At that moment, the seat at the right hand of the Father, sitting on the throne at the center of the universe, suddenly became–empty! The one who spoke worlds into existence suddenly became—a human embryo.
I’ve seen a human embryo. I’ve seen that single cell, and then four cells and then hundreds of cells. Where was the God-consciousness during the nine months Jesus grew inside Mary’s body? Oh, how astonishing!
But there’s more. This is the God who lived and walked among men for over 30 years, assaulted by the worst the enemy could come up with against Him, yet without sin. He died, but He didn’t stay dead! And in about a week we are going to celebrate in remembering the Resurrection. Hallelujah, He is alive forevermore! And He is seated once again on that seat at the right hand of the Father.
This is also the God who comes to live in you through His Holy Spirit. He’s closer to you than the air you breathe. Think of it; the very God of the universe who created everything, who lived and died and lived again, is living in you!
Yes, this is the God we pray to. This is the God we trust and obey. This is the God we worship.
This is the God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us – regardless of our feelings. This is the God who is coming again to take us to be with Him for eternity.
What are you afraid of?
So when this God says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God (Is. 41:10), we would do well to believe Him—and obey.
This you can know for sure; God’s not going to change His reputation by letting you down. He’s not going to change His character for you. He is love. He loves you. And the end of the story is—Jesus wins!
Now, who is your God?
And knowing who your God is, who or what are you afraid of now? {eoa}
Dr. Carol Peters-Tanksley is both a board certified OB-Gyn physician and an ordained Doctor of Ministry. As an author and speaker, she loves helping people discover the Fully Alive kind of life that Jesus came to bring us. Visit her website at drcarolministries.com.
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett