Dr. Nick’s Reflection: The Fear of Belief

Belief is a powerful thing. It shapes our thoughts, our actions, and the way we navigate life. But what if I told you that even when people say, “I don’t believe,” they are, in some way, acknowledging the very thing they claim to reject?

To deny something, you must first have the concept of it in your mind. To claim that God doesn’t exist, you must first entertain the thought that He might. The notion of disbelief requires belief in something—whether it’s faith in science alone, faith in self-sufficiency, or faith in the idea that we simply cease to exist after this life. But if belief is so deeply woven into our nature, why are people afraid to believe in God?

For some, the fear comes from uncertainty. If God exists, then what does that mean for the way they live their lives? If there is a divine presence, then suddenly, there is more to consider than just the here and now. Eternity becomes real. Purpose becomes a question. Accountability becomes a weight. Accepting the idea of God means facing things that we may not be ready to confront—our past, our actions, our choices. It means stepping into something unknown, and for many, the unknown is terrifying.

For others, it’s about control. We live in a world that glorifies independence, self-sufficiency, and the idea that we can create our own destiny. Believing in God means surrender. It means admitting that we are not the ultimate authority, that we don’t have all the answers, and that we might need something beyond ourselves. And that level of surrender is uncomfortable. It requires trust in something unseen, in a plan bigger than our own, and that is a hard thing to do in a world that tells us to always be in charge of our own fate.

Then there is pain. The world is full of suffering, loss, and heartache. Many struggle with the idea that a loving God could allow such things to happen. The question of “Why does God let bad things happen?” is one of the biggest barriers to faith. People look around at disease, war, poverty, and injustice and wonder where God is in all of it. But what if we looked at it differently? What if, instead of blaming God for the brokenness, we saw Him as the very source of healing within it? What if, instead of running from Him in our pain, we ran toward Him?

And of course, some hesitate to believe because of hypocrisy. Too many times, people have been hurt by those who claim to follow God but do not reflect His love. Churches have been places of judgment rather than grace. Religion has been used as a weapon rather than a refuge. But here’s the truth—human failure does not disprove God’s existence. People may fail, but that does not mean God has. If anything, it highlights why we need Him—because on our own, we are flawed, broken, and incapable of living perfectly.

Belief requires faith, and faith requires trust. Trust that even in the unknown, God is there. Trust that even in our questions, He is patient. Trust that even in our fear, He is calling us closer. God does not force belief upon us—He invites. And He is big enough to handle our doubts, our struggles, and our fears.

So if you are wrestling with doubt, ask yourself—is it truly that you don’t believe, or is it that you are afraid of what believing might require? Because deep down, that thought, that hesitation, that questioning… it all points to something greater.

Fear of believing in God is not about whether He is real—it is about whether we are ready to accept the truth of His presence in our lives. The idea of faith forces us to face the deepest parts of ourselves, to admit our need for something beyond our control, and to acknowledge that there is something greater than what we can see. And for many, that is what scares them the most.

But here’s the beautiful part—God is not waiting for you to have it all figured out. He is not waiting for you to have perfect faith. He simply asks you to take a step, even if it is a hesitant one. And in that step, you may just find the peace, the purpose, and the presence you have been searching for all along.

—Dr. Nick