Few question like “Does God exist?” have haunted humanity more deeply than anything else. Yet before confronting it, another must be asked: Do we truly exist? Not merely as bodies that breathe and move, but as conscious beings aware of our essence. Unless we first discover ourselves, any debate on God remains incomplete. For ages, people have sought comfort in a higher power. The image of God as protector—watching, guiding, and caring—offers solace in a world of uncertainty. It resembles a child clutching a teddy bear at night. The toy cannot chase away the darkness, yet it soothes the child in the absence of parents. Similarly, belief in a personal God cushions us against fears we cannot control.

This longing makes the idea of an external guardian deeply appealing. The more uncertain or fearful life feels, the stronger becomes our need for such presence. With age, as awareness of mortality sharpens, devotion often intensifies. Rituals and prayers then act as anchors—offering order amid chaos.

To truly know God, one must dare to set aside borrowed beliefs. Real inquiry requires courage—the willingness to face life without crutches. In times of ease, we drift unconsciously. But in painful moments—loss, failure, or rejection—life opens a rare window to look within. The wise embrace this chance; the mediocre avoid it. At first, we cling to our imagined God. Yet when we remain alert and accept life as it unfolds, we realize that healing and growth emerge not from an outside force but from our own inner strength. Just as we eventually outgrow the teddy bear, so too we may outgrow the need to see God as a person. At that point, the question itself transforms. It is no longer Does God exist? but Do we awaken to our true being? When consciousness flowers, belief dissolves into direct experience. This view does not deny God—it redefines God. God as a person doesn’t exist, but godliness surely does: the living energy of awareness, innocence, and pure presence within us all.

( The writer is an IT professional. )