The other day, a message popped up in my Instagram inbox.
It was from someone curious about faith, but asking about what seemed like a paradox:
Why is it impossible to please God without faith?
A beautiful question, really.
And one that resonates with so many of us, no matter where we’re at on this journey.
The concern that our faith might be insufficient. The nagging doubt that maybe we’re not measuring up.
My Response:
It’s a bit like a relationship.
Think of it like this:
A couple starts dating. They go out for coffee, catch a movie, and spend long evenings chatting on the phone. There’s the excitement of new love, the energy of discovery, and the joy of connection. But without trust, without a shared confidence in one another’s character, love can’t thrive. Doubt creeps in, insecurity follows, and the relationship falters.
In our relationship with God, faith is that foundational trust.
Hebrews 11:6 says
“And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Faith is not just wishful thinking. It’s the assurance that God is who He says He is and that He’s actively involved in our lives. It’s a child leaping into their father’s arms, fully confident that he’ll catch them.
In the allegory of the couple, imagine if one partner constantly doubted the other’s love or intentions, never fully trusting them. How could intimacy flourish?
It’s the same with God.
Faith opens up a space for God’s love to reach our hearts and shape our lives.
Abraham trusted God when asked to leave his home for an unknown land. Moses leaned into God’s promises when returning to Egypt. Their faith laid the groundwork for lives that pleased God.
So without faith, our relationship with God struggles. We can’t please Him because we’re closed off from truly knowing Him.
But faith invites us to leap into His embrace, confident that He will catch us, uphold us, and lead us into the fullness of life.
But let’s be clear:
This isn’t a call to suppress all doubts or never wrestle with questions.
Peter wavered on the stormy sea and started sinking.
Thomas demanded proof after the resurrection.
Jesus didn’t reject them for their moments of uncertainty.
Instead, He reached out to Peter and pulled him to safety, and He invited Thomas to touch His wounds.
Faith isn’t the absence of questions but the decision to trust Jesus even as we seek answers.
He is bigger than our doubts, patient with our struggles, and ready to welcome us with open arms as we journey closer to Him.
Q&A: Why Do We Need Faith To Please God was originally published in GoodLion Theology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
