Why is God so hard to find?

Given the fact there are so many unbelievers in the world today..

Even us Christians struggle too.. What do you think is the reason why it takes so much to find God in this world?

__________________

It's hard even when you find HIM!

"Draw near to him and HE will draw near to you" James 4:8.. This one challenges us cos we get so busy in the world and then there are those that don't have any desire to do this maybe cos of unbelief and wanting do life on their own without God.

__________________

I can think of 3 reasons....

1. We Can't find God if he doesn't reveal himself to us.
2. The wisdom of the world can be appealing even though it just leaves us empty.
3. We might have to get over ourselves to find God. More difficult for some than others.

I had a close friend who was an atheist. Every time we discussed religion (mainly Christianity since I am one) he made every attempt to deny God in every question he asked. He would not hear the answers I would give him. He didn't want to believe. He relied on his own knowledge and the theories of others to find understanding. He was never satisfied and we always ended up talking about religion. It's like God was knocking on his door but he was hiding behind the couch pretending he wasn't home. I hope and pray that someday he will answer.

Yes, my favourite verse, but at the same time you need to resist the evil one, cleanse our hands, and purify our hearts, and then be humble.

For point 1, are you saying that God chooses to close his heart on certain people for no reason and not reveal himself to them? Or have they had opportunities but passed them by?

For point 2 I also think much of the world's knowledge is anti-Christian. Most of institutions are secular and many are deceived from media influences i.e. books and film and so on.

What makes the wisdom of the world so appealing anyway?

For point 3 can you explain what you meant by get over ourselves..

__________________

too many distractions.. weird ideas about ourselves, about God. Sin.

If you focus on it though, just start talking to Him when you are alone.. He'll find you.

You have to repent, or really want to because you are probably incapable of actually repenting by yourself.. .. and really sincerely want to know Him.. even need Him.

He's definitely there. ask him to teach you about Jesus. Jesus is our mediator with God.. God himself.. is very Holy.. the presence of Jesus will tell you that..I'm not really sure God himself actually talks to any man these days.. but Jesus does.. so ask God to teach you about Jesus.

He showed up in my life the very next day when I finally, after a decade of searching, asked him that one thing. to teach me about Jesus.. because I was sure God existed and that He heard me.. but i did not know Jesus. He really showed up.. I didn't see him with my eyes but the presence.. puts you on your knees.

no doubt.. He Is God.. and that was Jesus. So God himself must be really really awesome. I have heard people say they have had visions of God.. and he is so powerful ( this incredible stuff, power, like electric but not electric, a spiritual thing that emanates from Him.. love life.. grace.. in Jesus' presence you experience it too) that they are afraid they are going to die .. I believe that. and probably that is why we have Jesus as our mediator with God. I cannot explain it perfectly.

I would say that the devil and forces of evil are doing their best at all times to keep people from knowing God in the case of unbelievers and to prevent believers from walking in the victory God has provided for them. It's more than obvious when we look around us that satan has a good grip on the world and people are so resistant to the things of God. Even in the church satan has been allowed control of certain aspects and many believers are attributing works of satan to G.od, resulting in them living a defeated and down trodden Christian life. Only since the fall and the entry of sin into the world has man ever had difficulty in finding and communicating with God.
Heather x

Because there is something to seeking and something to thinking and something to believing... 'it is God's thing to hide a matter and kings to find'. We find as a reward from God and are exalted in our finding. What we find we are privileged to share with those who do not know... to save, build up, and edify.

This is the plot of the story.

Every story has some journey for the hero or heroine.

Point 1) I don't believe God does anything without reason. I do believe everyone has an opportunity for salvation. I can only assume what I am about to say from experiences others have shared with me. Some people grow up knowing in their heart there is a God but they don't see and become saved until they are well into adulthood. It seems as though sometimes God chooses different times in each of our lives to reveal himself. I don't think he's going to leave anyone hanging if they are seeking.

Point 2) As a Christian I find nothing appealing about worldly wisdom. This cannot be true for everybody however. Many people devote their entire lives to things of this world like astrology and certain philosophies and anything else that is not of God. To find and except our God they would have to accept humility and deny their flesh which brings us to #3.

Point 3) It's easy for a lot of us to be stuck on ourselves by focusing on what we as individuals can achieve, and to become better than the next person. I've sat through the seminars and I've heard the people cheer. They teach that "I" control my destiny and that "I" control every aspect of my life and "I" can do anything if "I" set my mind to it. We have to get over ourselves to see God. Pride is a dangerous thing and a stumbling block for many.