A simple question but the answer is not so simple. Do you believe? What exactly do you believe? Why do you believe? You may have found yourself, wondering this at some point in your life.

Merriam-Webster defines belief as having a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion : to regard the existence of God as a fact. Another definition is to accept (something) as true.

Ask yourself, do you regard the existence of God as fact? What things do you accept as true? Belief is the core foundation of anything you do.

To relate to God, you first have to believe that he is who he says he is. He has given us many reasons to believe he is who he says he is. From the intricate way he created our bodies to the perfect way he designed the universe with the tiniest of details. God gave us everything we needed in our world and atmosphere to thrive.

Some may feel like belief in God makes us abandon all good sense and reasoning. However, belief in God is the beginning of good sense, sound judgment and reasoning. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God gives us a sound mind. In other words a calm and well-balanced mind. Proverbs 2:6 tells us that God gives us wisdom. So believing in God does not cause us to abandon God sense or reasoning.

What you believe about a person is going to affect the way you relate to them. If you don’t trust a person then you will deal with them in a guarded way. If you don’t believe a person’s word or promise then you don’t act on it or put much value in it. You have to get to know a person in order to build a relationship or to believe in them or their promises. It takes relationship to trust a person’s actions.

Jeremiah 29:13 says you will seek me and find me when you search with all your heart. This sets your foundation. Only then will you know what you believe and why you believe. Which is a strong foundation. It is very difficult to tell someone about God or to minister if your own belief doesn’t have a strong foundation.

We can dispel any arguments that God is a fairytale or myth because we cannot or have not seen him. We can’t see air but we know it’s there. We can feel it. We know it’s real because of how it affects people, places and things. We cannot live without it. The same with God. We can see his hand in everything and everywhere. We need him in order to live.

A personal relationship with Christ is where it begins. Prayer and time with God and reading his word is how you get to know him. Others will try to give you their opinions, stories and experiences. I urge you to have your own encounter with God. You will never be the same. Pray for wisdom, when reading his word so that the things that need to be revealed will be revealed, and that will start a strong foundation in you. Meditate on his word. Think about it day and night. Keep it in your heart for these words will guide you daily.

If you read his word and spend time with him, you will know what his very nature is. You will have a real encounter, and you will never be the same. And that foundation can never be shaken. And you will know what to say in that moment when someone asks you, do you believe?