Does God even like you?

I’m assuming I’m not the only one to have ever struggled with this question—does God love me?  Is He proud of me? 

Or when things don’t go as I would like them to—why does God dislike me so much?  If that weren’t the case, things clearly wouldn’t be like this, right??

The more days on this planet that I experience, the more I come to the conclusion that stuff happens, both good and bad, and if I allow that to dictate my view of God (or God’s view of me), I tread some dangerous waters.

But even though I know that intellectually, I still struggle bringing that down to the heart-level. 

I imagine I’m not alone; why else would we as humans continually strive to find our identity in material possessions, in status, and in accomplishments?

If we really believe what the Bible says, that humanity is created in God’s image, and that we are His sons and daughters, we might be less inclined to seek outside affirmation and instead rest in the peace of a deeper, truer identity.

That is, of course, if we see God properly.

Which is impossible, since we are finite and, well…

He’s not.

So, what is our view of God?

Do we view Him as a strict schoolmaster, waiting to pounce on our next mistake?

Or do we see him as a long-haired, cutoff-wearing, peace-lover walking around barefoot and hugging children and petting sheep all day?

Is God on a constant mission to smite us, or is He a “friend next to ya” as I used to sing in Sunday School growing up?

Or perhaps He’s somewhere off in the distance, completely disinterested in humanity, unaware and uncaring that we are hurling ourselves into violence and societal disarray?

Does He even care that we’re asking these questions?

The answer might be found in looking at how God views us.

I think one of the core struggles of humanity might be more related to how we think God views us, rather than how we view God.

I confess I wrestle with this regularly.  When circumstances go my way, I feel God’s favor and love, and naturally assume He’s on my side because things are going well.

When difficulties come, I find that they expose deep insecurities within me and my place with God.  Sure, God loves me, but does he like me?

Just this morning, I was bringing that very question to God.

It’s been an emotionally difficult stretch for me these past few weeks—I’ve experienced intense physical pain, financial strain, and various roadblocks that have blindsided me.

I desperately needed to be reassured that God still loves me.  More than that, I needed to be shown how God sees me, whether He even likes me, how He feels when He looks in my direction.

And so this morning, as I was reading and praying, asking God that very question—that He would show me how He views me, my middle son shuffled out of his bedroom, bleary-eyed and with wild morning hair going in every direction.

His sleepy gait disrupted the silence of my prayers; I found myself involuntarily looking in his direction, with a proud smile creeping across my face, and a warm heart that said, that’s my boy right there.

A tear welled up in my eye; grateful that God would take the time to answer my prayer…