Is God Ignoring Me? Making Sense of God's Silence - Dr. Gary Habermas

Part 4 of a 4 part series on why people doubt God: 2012 Apologia Conference at Shoreline Community Church, Santa Barbara, CA.

Part 1 - Dealing with Factual Doubt
Part 2 - Dealing with Emotional Doubt
Part 3 - Tugging at Our Hearts: The Biblical Imagery of Heaven
Part 4 - Is God Ignoring Me? Making Sense of God's Silence

Shoreline Community Church exists to help people find their way to Jesus. Our goal is to help remove obstacles that keep people away from Jesus, which in turn will hopefully and prayerfully lead people to a belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. If you’re attracted to Jesus, but find yourself turned off by traditional church, come by and check us out, discovering the real Jesus, the real Church, and the real Christianity.

[madam]

Sometimes I feel like God is ignoring me even though I know he’s there. But I must say God has been there for me through good and bad. Thank you 🙏 my Lord Jesus.

[demoxinil]

God is not our servant, we are his. We should do what he asks of us, and in his grace at times when we make a heartfelt request of him he grants it to us.

[freebird]

Thank you. I have a big problem with this. I have been struggling with this problem for a long time. Thanks again for the post. Many of us need this.

[davidchisenhall]

I can testify to the power of the Most High. I have asked the Father many times for healing for myself and others. I tell doctors about my condition, it's a genetic one, and have consistently got a very surprised look. He has worked miracles for many people that were prayed for. I think he has steered me to this video. Thank You and may God bless you

[btbb]

When it seems like God is silent or absent when things are rough, I try to think about people like Joseph. When Joseph was sitting in prison in Egypt it probably didn’t look or feel like God’s plan for him was right on track.

[christinehernandez]

Praise the Lord. This is the first time I've tuned in. I really appreciate what I've heard today.

[rick]

I just discovered you yesterday and now am a huge fan, (in the Lord).

[CalmVibesVee]

Everything God decides is perfect. Even our stormy seas and His silence.
Keep praising Him as much as possible no matter what. He deserves it.

[ronnieherrera]

Be sober. Listen. Observe. Enjoy pray.exercise. Love. Mental health. Reading the bible make love. Trust. Hope. Endure. Wait. Think. Common sense. Learn. Helo someone. Wash. Do dishes.Be patient. Say thank you. Please. Excuse me. Sincere. Patient.. Gentle. We are capable of being good and so is evil. A choice. Free will. Doubt is hang in there. Faith is jump GOD will take care.

[tanyajordan]

We have to remember we live for eternity with God this world is temporary

[poppylove]

Trusting and loving God unconditionally, because God loves us unconditionally.

[walterdebnam]

You know I hadn't heard this talk before, but as in all things the LORD does HIS timing is perfect! Not just for myself, but hopefully for anyone else I'll share this with. Thank you Gary (I'm being so familiar with your first name, because I've listened to you and watched your talks for years now) for all of your dedication to bringing the truth of the REALITY OF THE SUPERNATURAL ASPECTS OF OUR LORD TO THE OF FOREFRONT OF PEOPLE'S MINDS AND, AT LEAST THE CONVERSATION.
MARANATHA ☝☺❤

[relicmeisterstewart]

Since discovering your video lectures I’ve watched every one where I find you. Thank you and God bless you.

[pamcatello]

God is not silent he talks all the time we just have to be the temple where he dwells

[AS-fukd]

Mother Mary came and found me when I was completely lost. I thank her every day now for bringing me back to her son

[jthepickle]

God is never silent. It is we who aren't silent enough.
We entice with meekness and gentleness and find that God is meeker still, almost shy.
"If you think that God is far away He is far away. If you think that God is near He is the nearest of the near, the dearest of the dear."

[grgodu]

After listening to the sessions I get the distinct impression that many in the audience in general are thinking that the opposite of faith is doubt. And that's not what I understand from the scriptures. I understand from the scriptures that the opposite of faith is offense. When Jesus was dealing with the Pharisees and interacting with them, they did not believe him, they took offense at him.

[chrisgraham]

Why is God silent and ignoring me? The same reason that unicorns and fairies are silent and ignoring me.

[josephzanghi]

I have prayed nearly every night that Jesus appear or speak to me, So far nothing has happened, yet I often read of atheists having Jesus appear to them. I don't understand this

[poppylove]

The trials I’ve been through were the times I experienced God the most, and there were answered prayers in certain trials, and other trials God didn’t answer my prayers the way I wanted, but I experienced God and my faith and love still grew more through those times of non answered prayer, but it’s about learning to love God as unconditionally as God loves us. I also remind myself that just because I don’t understand why God allows something I don’t like or understand, but I realize and believe that God knows better, has a bigger plan and knowing the character of God is loving and worthy to be trusted. It is awfully hard and painful going through many trials in our life, but they are opportunities of trusting God and experiencing God the most during the hardest times, which I think is because we surrender and seek God with more focused spiritually than other day to day times, when we are not as focused on seeking Gods presence. I have been reminded that when painful things happen, it is not Gods punishment, but rather Gods preparation for something to come.