Who Is God To Me? Finding Your Personal Understanding Of God
The concept and identity of God has been pondered and debated for centuries. God means something different to each person. In this article, we’ll explore the diverse ways God can be understood and help you find clarity on who God is to you personally.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: God can be understood as a supernatural higher power, a benevolent and loving being, an impersonal cosmic force, or even as a human construction.
Your personal understanding of God is shaped by your cultural upbringing, life experiences, and unique spiritual journey.
In the sections below, we’ll dive deeper into the different ways God is conceived, the attributes commonly associated with God, and exercises to help you reflect on and articulate your personal concept of God.
Conceptions of God
God as a Supernatural Being
Many people conceive of God as a supernatural being who created the universe and intervenes in human affairs. This view depicts God as a personal, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent entity. Believers might imagine God as an authoritative father figure residing in heaven, who lays down commandments, answers prayers, punishes transgressions, and offers salvation.
Surveys indicate this supernatural conception of God remains prevalent today. For instance, a 2022 Pew Research poll found 55% of U.S. adults believed in a Biblical God, who judges the living and the dead[1].
Such believers may find security and meaning through perceiving the universe as governed by a caring, all-powerful deity.
God as an Impersonal Force
Rather than visualizing God as a personified being, some conceive of God as an impersonal force or principle underlying existence. In the 19th century, prominent intellectuals like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau advanced conceptions of an abstract “Oversoul” or divine “Spirit” permeating nature.
Today, many New Age spiritualities embrace an understanding of God as a universal life force or energy. A 2022 Barna survey indicates 27% of U.S. adults see God as an impersonal higher power[2]. Such perspectives may offer the appeal of spirituality without anthropomorphic conceptions of divine beings.
God as a Human Construction
Atheists, agnostics, and secular humanists contend that humans themselves construct conceptions of God. These groups argue there is no compelling evidence for supernatural beings or divine forces. Many characterize God as an imaginary idea that emerges from human hopes, fears, dreams and myths.
Philosophers like Ludwig Feuerbach and Sigmund Freud analyzed God beliefs as human projections. Modern scientists such as Richard Dawkins view God as a “delusion” incompatible with scientific rationality.
Recent surveys show around 22-26% of Americans today identify as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular” in regards to religious beliefs[3]. Despite profound human attachments to God concepts, skeptical perspectives question whether we invented God or whether God invented us.
Common Godly Attributes
Omnipotence
The concept of an omnipotent God means that God is all-powerful and unlimited in ability. As the creator of the universe, God would possess the ultimate power and control over all things. This means God can do anything logically possible, with no constraints or limitations.
Examples in religious scriptures of God displaying omnipotence include parting seas, miraculous healings, or creating the universe itself from nothing. The possibility of an omnipotent deity gives many believers great comfort, knowing a God with unlimited power can help them through trials or protect them from harm.
Omniscience
An omniscient God possesses all knowledge and awareness. As an infinite being not bound by space or time, God would know the past, present and future simultaneously. This aspect of the divine means there are no secrets or mysteries from God’s perspective.
Biblical scripture refers to the absolute completeness of God’s wisdom and understanding. Many philosophical questions have arisen regarding God’s omniscience and human free will, with some arguments made that truly omniscient foreknowledge would mean all human choices are known ahead of time.
Nonetheless, our limited mortal minds may never fully comprehend the precise relationship between an omniscient God and human action.
Omnipresence
Omnipresence refers to the ability of God to be everywhere at once with the fullness of divine presence. This theological concept asserts the creator is not limited by location like mortal beings. Biblical verses describe God as simultaneously residing in heaven ruling overall, while also dwelling among humans here on Earth through the Holy Spirit.
An omnipresent God offers followers the promise that they are never alone, but always in the company of a watchful and loving divinity. Philosophers continue to analyze the implications of omnipresence, including relationships to monotheism and pantheism in understanding total universality versus God manifesting through avatars in some faith traditions.
Benevolence
The belief in a good and morally perfect God leads to the attribute of divine benevolence. As an all-loving creator, God has the best intentions and seeks the well-being of creation. Displays of mercy, compassion, grace and forgiveness reflect the benevolence of God toward humankind.
Despite the problem of evil in the world, which causes some philosophical debate about God’s goodness, major religious texts overwhelmingly describe acts of divine benevolence, like healing the sick or providing for the poor.
Believers find great comfort and reassurance in the belief that an all-powerful God personally cares for them and desires their ultimate happiness.
Justice
Alongside benevolence, God also displays perfect justice based on divine wisdom and fairness. The creator who knows and sees all would judge human souls and deeds with absolute equity. Accounts in many faiths depict God punishing the wicked and rewarding righteousness to enact justice that may have been denied during one’s earthly life.
Believers expect moral balance from a supremely just God, whether it occurs on this plane of existence or the hereafter. Some theodicies explaining the problem of evil assert that divine justice may be incomprehensible or play out over eons rather than human lifespans.
Nonetheless for many, their faith brings hope that ultimate justice waits through the infinite scope of God’s understanding.
Discovering Your Understanding of God
Finding your own personal understanding of God is an introspective journey that requires self-reflection. Here are some ways to unpack your beliefs:
Reflect on Your Upbringing and Influences
Examine the religious and spiritual messages you absorbed growing up. How did your family, community, and culture shape your image of God? Were these messages empowering or limiting? How do you feel about them today?
Consider Your Spiritual Experiences
Reflect on moments when you felt a divine presence or received spiritual guidance. Have you had mystical experiences, epiphanies, or answers to heartfelt prayers? What do these experiences reveal about your relationship with the divine?
Identify What Resonates and What Doesn’t
Take an inventory of your current beliefs. Which views align with your values and resonate as truth for you? Which seem ill-fitting or false? Don’t ignore contradictions or tensions, as wrestling with them can lead to deeper insight.
Articulate Your Personal Conception of God
Synthesize your reflections to formulate your current understanding of God. This meaning is ongoing as we grow and change, but putting words to beliefs brings clarity. According to a 2018 Pew study, how Americans conceive of God is diverse and often unconventional.
Give yourself grace for uncertainties. An evolving understanding of God is natural and healthy. Focus on resonant truths, insights from spiritual experiences, and articulating beliefs that uplift you.
Conclusion
God is a complex concept with diverse interpretations. By reflecting on your own influences, experiences, and intuitions, you can move closer to articulating your personal understanding of who God is to you. Keep questioning, exploring, and allowing your conception of God to evolve.
The journey of discerning God’s meaning in your life is an ongoing and enriching process.
