Having troubles with doubts

[LoneRanger117]

Hi all,

I am Catholic but have been having trouble with doubts in my faith. I don’t willfully choose to doubt, there are just things that I have a very difficult time believing in and it sort of surfaces now and then. I wish that I could just have faith like everybody else and not worry about doubts.

Probably the most frustrating issue with my faith is the challenge of believing in a personal God. I hear people talk all the time about how they experience God when they pray, and always it seems like God is different for each person that I ask. This makes me inclined to believe that when people pray, they are not really receiving divine instruction but are instead sort of soul-searching; their answers are coming from within themselves moreso than from some external divine being. Because if they were really talking to God then why wouldn’t God be the same for everybody? Thus over the last couple of months I have found it extremely difficult to pray. It is difficult for me to believe that God would have any interest in a “personal relationship” with humans, or would have any interest in the mundane events of our (my) everyday live(s).

I also have a hard time seeing how the Jesus of 1st century Palestine, as described in the gospels, fits into the context of a modern American culture, where everything revolves around media and entertainment, accumulation of wealth, the latest new gadgets, etc. even among devout American Catholics. Even those Catholics who, like me, feel disillusioned by this culture of indulgence and complacency, how do they find meaning in their lives and in their faith in the midst of it all? It seems so out of place. I am not putting the blame solely on others either, I know that I am as much a part of the problem as anyone else. It’s just an observation. For me there is almost a sense of guilt for living in such a society. Are we all like the rich man, about whom Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven?”

I wonder does anyone else have experience with these thoughts and what is your response?

 

[Rhuarc]

Brother (I assume), fear not. I too have had doubts, I have overcome theme as well. Ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and show you the way. Be sure to talk with people physically about your doubts. Nothing helps stave doubts like communicating with the greater community of Christians. I will pray for you, and don’t forget to ask for the intercession to the original doubter himself St. Thomas!

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Hi all,

I am Catholic but have been having trouble with doubts in my faith. I don’t willfully choose to doubt, there are just things that I have a very difficult time believing in and it sort of surfaces now and then. I wish that I could just have faith like everybody else and not worry about doubts.

Probably the most frustrating issue with my faith is the challenge of believing in a personal God. I hear people talk all the time about how they experience God when they pray, and always it seems like God is different for each person that I ask. This makes me inclined to believe that when people pray, they are not really receiving divine instruction but are instead sort of soul-searching; their answers are coming from within themselves moreso than from some external divine being. Because if they were really talking to God then why wouldn’t God be the same for everybody? Thus over the last couple of months I have found it extremely difficult to pray. It is difficult for me to believe that God would have any interest in a “personal relationship” with humans, or would have any interest in the mundane events of our (my) everyday live(s).

I also have a hard time seeing how the Jesus of 1st century Palestine, as described in the gospels, fits into the context of a modern American culture, where everything revolves around media and entertainment, accumulation of wealth, the latest new gadgets, etc. even among devout American Catholics. Even those Catholics who, like me, feel disillusioned by this culture of indulgence and complacency, how do they find meaning in their lives and in their faith in the midst of it all? It seems so out of place. I am not putting the blame solely on others either, I know that I am as much a part of the problem as anyone else. It’s just an observation. For me there is almost a sense of guilt for living in such a society. Are we all like the rich man, about whom Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven?”

I wonder does anyone else have experience with these thoughts and what is your response?

Everyone has had doubts, or their faith has never been tested. Mother Theresa went through a period of questioning, doubts, or a faith crisis.

As for your first question…I see it this way. Each of us is an individual, uniquely made, with our own history, experiences, etc. So we could be hearing from the one true God but interpreting it through our own unique filters…In fact, I feel certain that these individual interpretations ARE due to our experiences and not that God is different for everyone. I suppose you could say that God could overcome that individuality if He really wanted to, but I think then, He would be canceling out our free will to see Him or not see Him, to choose Him or not to choose Him.

Satan HATES prayer, especially faithful, devout, trusting prayer. He hates prayers that we pray when we don’t know for sure if God is even listening. That is trusting prayer and Satan hates the trust we have in God. He tries to sow doubt and discord to disrupt any life of faith.

The culture…You don’t have to participate in the consumption culture. I mean, you can’t TOTALLY disconnect, unless you take vows of poverty and go into a remote monastery, but you can carefully examine the things you do and your motivations for doing them. If you are called to lead a simpler life, with fewer distractions, then do it! I think it is a difficult time for a person who is more contemplative, more introspective, who wants to spend more time with God than the TV or computer. There’s a lot of NOISE to combat just to hear the Holy Spirit. But it’s not necessarily either/or. To me, the key is WHY am I doing what I do? Is it merely for fun, for enjoyment, for hedonistic pleasure? Is there some greater goal involved?

Maybe reading more about the lives of some of our saints would help you. Or some apologetics.

I hope you have a joyous Easter.

 

[Dorothy]

Lone Ranger,

You have been given good advice.

I would just like to add this about today’s technological world. The media CAN be used to spread the Good News of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of us are trying to do that on the internet. Many discoveries over the years have made our lives easier and we have more free time. And then again, we must decide to use that free time to live out our lives according to the mind of Christ. So, it comes down to our free will and what we choose.

God does love you personally or you would not be here! Prayer and spiritual reading helps us to get to know him better. Also, most of all, the Sacraments received with even a mustard seed of faith to begin with!

 

[Monica4316]

Hi all,

I am Catholic but have been having trouble with doubts in my faith. I don’t willfully choose to doubt, there are just things that I have a very difficult time believing in and it sort of surfaces now and then. I wish that I could just have faith like everybody else and not worry about doubts.

I think that many people struggle with doubts once in a while. And I remember when I first decided to believe in God, I still doubted a lot, and it took a while for my faith to get stronger… and even now, sometimes I’m still tempted to doubt. Just don’t consent to these feelings of doubt and don’t focus on them, focus on prayer instead some temptations, like those to doubt or impure thoughts, only get stronger if we try to fight them directly, and we need to rather distract ourselves and pray.

Probably the most frustrating issue with my faith is the challenge of believing in a personal God. I hear people talk all the time about how they experience God when they pray, and always it seems like God is different for each person that I ask. This makes me inclined to believe that when people pray, they are not really receiving divine instruction but are instead sort of soul-searching; their answers are coming from within themselves moreso than from some external divine being. Because if they were really talking to God then why wouldn’t God be the same for everybody? Thus over the last couple of months I have found it extremely difficult to pray. It is difficult for me to believe that God would have any interest in a “personal relationship” with humans, or would have any interest in the mundane events of our (my) everyday live(s).

I think that since Jesus died for us, it’s true that God is personal. It’s the Cross that’s our greatest evidence of His love. And the Cross is something objective. It’s best to focus on that

As for people’s experiences, what do you mean about God being different to each one? I mean, each person’s relationship with God is unique. If they receive some sort of revelations about doctrine that’s different, well that’s another story, we know that doctrine comes from Scripture and Tradition and God would never contradict His Holy Word. Not all private revelations or spiritual experiences are even from God, but that doesn’t mean that none are from Him… the Saints often experienced or even saw Christ and Mary, Angels, etc and there are many Christians who’ve also experienced His presence in some way. But it’s not something constant, and there are many times when people feel or experience nothing at all, - that’s common too. It’s not true that everyone is constantly feeling God’s presence.

If this never ever happened to you, remember that holiness is about the will, not about feelings. Sometimes people don’t feel God’s presence cause He just wants them to learn faith and trust first. Sometimes people feel far from God because of some unrepented sin, which is different. But other times it’s just a trial and it’s not a sin. St John of the Cross gave ways to tell this apart, for example if a person is experiencing spiritual dryness but really loves God in their will and nothing in the world is satisfying them, then it’s a trial. If they are more “lukewarm” then it’s not a trial but maybe the result of unrepented sin, too little prayer, etc. So that’s something to discern about maybe. But try to just focus on loving and trusting God in your will. In the end that’s what matters. It’s not our experiences that cause us to believe in a personal God - it’s the Cross and His Word.

I also have a hard time seeing how the Jesus of 1st century Palestine, as described in the gospels, fits into the context of a modern American culture, where everything revolves around media and entertainment, accumulation of wealth, the latest new gadgets, etc. even among devout American Catholics. Even those Catholics who, like me, feel disillusioned by this culture of indulgence and complacency, how do they find meaning in their lives and in their faith in the midst of it all? It seems so out of place. I am not putting the blame solely on others either, I know that I am as much a part of the problem as anyone else. It’s just an observation. For me there is almost a sense of guilt for living in such a society. Are we all like the rich man, about whom Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven?”

I wonder does anyone else have experience with these thoughts and what is your response?

It is kind of out of place, I think… I mean, much of our society isn’t helpful to spiritual life. But I think we don’t need to be immersed in these things. For example, we can only watch good movies, only listen to good music, try to help the poor rather than accumulating wealth and being too attached/focused on it… if someone has a family, they need to provide for their family… but not all things are needed. We don’t need to be immersed in popular culture so much. In fact it can become a big distraction. I think in the end, - some things we can ignore (like we can turn off the tv when there’s a bad show going on, or limit our time watching tv) and other things we can’t (seeing the billboards and stuff as we walk on the street) - then it just depends on what we do and what we choose. We’re only responsible for our choices, not surroundings that we can’t control. It’s good to try and influence our surroundings to be better though, by being a good example of a Christian and doing the opposite. This can happen in simple everyday life, or if someone writes books or makes movies, they could do that for God’s glory and to help people turn to Him. So like Dorothy said, media can be used for good too.

God bless

 

[LoneRanger117]

As for people’s experiences, what do you mean about God being different to each one?

What I mean is God has different personalities for each person that goes to him. I met one girl who described Jesus as if he were her boyfriend, all lovey dovey, and I met another guy who described Jesus as if he were a guy with a big stick, ready to whack you over the head if you go out of line. Very different perceptions of the same person. Many people have an image of Jesus as a peaceful, non-confrontational sort (very contrary to the one in the gospels who vehemently criticized the pharisees and teachers of the law), and many seem to be under the impression that Jesus is far too nice and would never condemn anyone to hell, even though he constantly warned people about it in the gospels. If God is personal, then why isn’t his character so obvious to us that we wouldn’t have to be taught about him by others or by the scriptures, but could learn from him by speaking to him face to face?

It is kind of out of place, I think… I mean, much of our society isn’t helpful to spiritual life. But I think we don’t need to be immersed in these things. For example, we can only watch good movies, only listen to good music, try to help the poor rather than accumulating wealth and being too attached/focused on it…

But the Christ of the gospels asks for much more than this: he says to the rich man that to enter into heaven he must “sell all you have and give to the poor,” in effect become a poor beggar himself. How many of us would do this? Our very survival instincts go against this. It’s one thing to say that we must help those in need. Jesus is saying something much different here.

The apostles did pretty much what Jesus stated above. They had a mission to evangelize the world. Today I don’t know how many parishes advocate the practice of abandoning our jobs, putting on rags, and going from town to town evangelizing and getting martyred. In fact, the way the early apostles were living, it was as if they believed the return of Christ was absolutely imminent. It’s hard to see a connection between the way these men were living and the way that we are living today.

Not to mention, the apostles had the ability to perform miracles which validated much of their work… how many of us can claim the same?

 

[Dorothy]

What I mean is God has different personalities for each person that goes to him. I met one girl who described Jesus as if he were her boyfriend, all lovey dovey, and I met another guy who described Jesus as if he were a guy with a big stick, ready to whack you over the head if you go out of line. Very different perceptions of the same person. Many people have an image of Jesus as a peaceful, non-confrontational sort (very contrary to the one in the gospels who vehemently criticized the pharisees and teachers of the law), and many seem to be under the impression that Jesus is far too nice and would never condemn anyone to hell, even though he constantly warned people about it in the gospels. If God is personal, then why isn’t his character so obvious to us that we wouldn’t have to be taught about him by others or by the scriptures, but could learn from him by speaking to him face to face?

But the Christ of the gospels asks for much more than this: he says to the rich man that to enter into heaven he must “sell all you have and give to the poor,” in effect become a poor beggar himself. How many of us would do this? Our very survival instincts go against this. It’s one thing to say that we must help those in need. Jesus is saying something much different here.

The apostles did pretty much what Jesus stated above. They had a mission to evangelize the world. Today I don’t know how many parishes advocate the practice of abandoning our jobs, putting on rags, and going from town to town evangelizing and getting martyred. In fact, the way the early apostles were living, it was as if they believed the return of Christ was absolutely imminent. It’s hard to see a connection between the way these men were living and the way that we are living today.

Not to mention, the apostles had the ability to perform miracles which validated much of their work… how many of us can claim the same?

Not everyone is called to “sell all you have and give to the poor”. A husband and wife raising their family has the responsibility to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves and their children. We do, however, have the responsibility to use our resources wisely, not be wasteful, and to be detached from things in that we realize they are gifts from God. (not to make idols of them).

Yes, at first the early Christians did think the Lord’s return was to be very soon, but it didn’t take too long for Christians to figure out that it wasn’t the case.

We are called to evangelize in today’s world, using the great technology that we have today for positive reasons.

As far as martyrdom goes, there are Christians in many different parts of the world who are being abused and even killed. There is also a persecutionn of the Church going on without blood being shed.

Miracles of grace still happen, they just don’t make the headlines in the secular newspapers. By miracles I don’t mean weeping statues, but miracles of grace that enlighten those in darkness and then they start to follow the Light of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of these miracles of grace are accompanied by physical, spiritual, and emotional healing.

 

[Crumpy]

Hi all,

I am Catholic but have been having trouble with doubts in my faith. I don’t willfully choose to doubt, there are just things that I have a very difficult time believing in and it sort of surfaces now and then. I wish that I could just have faith like everybody else and not worry about doubts.

Faith is not science and never will be. Maybe what you need to accept is to believe in faith itself. Faith is not a scientific proof of anything. Scientists seem to be closing in on what they call the theory of everything, to explain the visible universe. But, even the visible universe is only thought to be 5% of what’s out there. But, science won’t ever explain love or beauty or democracy or freedom. There are limits of science (for starters).

Probably the most frustrating issue with my faith is the challenge of believing in a personal God. I hear people talk all the time about how they experience God when they pray, and always it seems like God is different for each person that I ask. This makes me inclined to believe that when people pray, they are not really receiving divine instruction but are instead sort of soul-searching; their answers are coming from within themselves moreso than from some external divine being. Because if they were really talking to God then why wouldn’t God be the same for everybody? Thus over the last couple of months I have found it extremely difficult to pray. It is difficult for me to believe that God would have any interest in a “personal relationship” with humans, or would have any interest in the mundane events of our (my) everyday live(s).
**
We believe that God is the same for everybody. Personally, I think I talk to God all the time, but I’m not saying that I hear a response from God, for sure. A couple times in my life (at least) I have had ideas that I don’t think came from within me. I am satisfied, and I think we should all be satisfied, with the general revelation from God, in His holy word and in the Sacred Tradition of the Church. I’m no expert, but if anything, I tend to think that I am inspired more than I am receiving private revelations from God. What’s the difference? I expect inspiration, I don’t expect private revelation. I pray for the wisdom that James talks about in the first chapter of his letter (in the Bible). **

I also have a hard time seeing how the Jesus of 1st century Palestine, as described in the gospels, fits into the context of a modern American culture, where everything revolves around media and entertainment, accumulation of wealth, the latest new gadgets, etc. even among devout American Catholics. Even those Catholics who, like me, feel disillusioned by this culture of indulgence and complacency, how do they find meaning in their lives and in their faith in the midst of it all? It seems so out of place. I am not putting the blame solely on others either, I know that I am as much a part of the problem as anyone else. It’s just an observation. For me there is almost a sense of guilt for living in such a society. Are we all like the rich man, about whom Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven?”

**Again, not an expert. Being wealthy and affluent is not sinful in itself. But we have to beware of the teaching of Jesus about helping others, to see Christ in everyone. Sure, I think many people are far from perfect. They have many temptations to deal with, especially the degrading things to be seen on TV – people doing things on a dare, for example. Why do teens have to do those risky stunts with skate boards or ski boards? What thrill are they looking for? “drugs” need I say more?

How pointless are the beer can collections or gun collections or doll collections, CD collections, clothing, cosmetics, etc. ad nauseam? do you see how people are trained to waste their money? but, how many people would be out of a job if we abandoned all those things?

Amidst all these distractions we have the admonition of the gospel, to seek first the kingdom of heaven. WE must focus on that. Every week I see somebody who had thrown their life away by killing someone. Why do people murder other people? **

I wonder does anyone else have experience with these thoughts and what is your response?

 

[LilyM]

True it is that Jesus did not call everyone to give up their entire wealth. His friend Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, is held by tradition to be wealthy. Hence Mary’s expensive ointment that she poured on Him. Zacchaeus repaid those he had defrauded, but there is no indication that he was rendered destitute in so doing. Joseph of Aramithea was also a wealthy friend of His (having enough money to prepurchase a new tomb was an indication of this). Then there are the Apostles themselves - they were financial enough that they needed Judas to be their treasurer! Doesn’t speak to me of people who were in extremes of poverty.

The forms the basis of a rare instance of Gospel humour - imagine the wealthy Lazarus listening to Our Lord’s story about the poor despised beggar who had the same name

 

[CatholicZ09]

I struggle with doubts as well. The enemy is notorious for making us doubt God and His Church. I discussed this with a priest around Christmas of last year, and he told me that this could be a spiritual growing exercise that God is using to make you grow more in the faith. He said that the devil also uses it to his advantage because he wants you to be unsure; however, we always overcome our obstacles no matter how long it takes.

I doubted the Church for a period of time, and it was totally unintentional on my part. It was just one of those things in my brain that I couldn’t shut up. It seems, though, that when I receieve the Blessed Sacrament at Communion, all my doubts just shut up and the Lord is saying, “Don’t worry; I’m here.” I always ask Jesus to heal my doubts and make me stronger, and slowly but surely, I’m getting out of my doubting phase.

The thing that we can’t do is let the doubts overcome US. We must overcome THEM. God can’t moved a parked car, as a priest once told me. We have to take action to heal our doubts. God also takes action, but we need to be willing. Will we will these doubts to take control of us, or will we take control of our doubts and rely on the Lord to give us strength?

If Satan was using my doubts as a method of hindering my faith in God and His Church, he has failed. In my experience, I have read volumes of the Church Fathers and have gone to Confession weekly. So, I have grown spiritually in my little hurdle. This is also God working through me because I want to be grown more spiritually, and I want to overcome these doubts. God can’t move a parked car, so you have to be willing.

Know that you are not the only one who is going through spiritual hurdles, and you will overcome them with time and God’s help.

God bless you and your family during this holy Eastertide.

 

[CompSciGuy]

I struggle with doubts as well. The enemy is notorious for making us doubt God and His Church. I discussed this with a priest around Christmas of last year, and he told me that this could be a spiritual growing exercise that God is using to make you grow more in the faith. He said that the devil also uses it to his advantage because he wants you to be unsure; however, we always overcome our obstacles no matter how long it takes.

I doubted the Church for a period of time, and it was totally unintentional on my part. It was just one of those things in my brain that I couldn’t shut up. It seems, though, that when I receieve the Blessed Sacrament at Communion, all my doubts just shut up and the Lord is saying, “Don’t worry; I’m here.” I always ask Jesus to heal my doubts and make me stronger, and slowly but surely, I’m getting out of my doubting phase.

The thing that we can’t do is let the doubts overcome US. We must overcome THEM. God can’t moved a parked car, as a priest once told me. We have to take action to heal our doubts. God also takes action, but we need to be willing. Will we will these doubts to take control of us, or will we take control of our doubts and rely on the Lord to give us strength?

If Satan was using my doubts as a method of hindering my faith in God and His Church, he has failed. In my experience, I have read volumes of the Church Fathers and have gone to Confession weekly. So, I have grown spiritually in my little hurdle. This is also God working through me because I want to be grown more spiritually, and I want to overcome these doubts. God can’t move a parked car, so you have to be willing.

Know that you are not the only one who is going through spiritual hurdles, and you will overcome them with time and God’s help.

God bless you and your family during this holy Eastertide.

I also find that going to adoration with a humble heart helps a great deal.

 

[fred_conty]

Hi all,

I am Catholic but have been having trouble with doubts in my faith. I don’t willfully choose to doubt, there are just things that I have a very difficult time believing in and it sort of surfaces now and then. I wish that I could just have faith like everybody else and not worry about doubts.

Probably the most frustrating issue with my faith is the challenge of believing in a personal God. I hear people talk all the time about how they experience God when they pray, and always it seems like God is different for each person that I ask. This makes me inclined to believe that when people pray, they are not really receiving divine instruction but are instead sort of soul-searching; their answers are coming from within themselves moreso than from some external divine being. Because if they were really talking to God then why wouldn’t God be the same for everybody? Thus over the last couple of months I have found it extremely difficult to pray. It is difficult for me to believe that God would have any interest in a “personal relationship” with humans, or would have any interest in the mundane events of our (my) everyday live(s).

I also have a hard time seeing how the Jesus of 1st century Palestine, as described in the gospels, fits into the context of a modern American culture, where everything revolves around media and entertainment, accumulation of wealth, the latest new gadgets, etc. even among devout American Catholics. Even those Catholics who, like me, feel disillusioned by this culture of indulgence and complacency, how do they find meaning in their lives and in their faith in the midst of it all? It seems so out of place. I am not putting the blame solely on others either, I know that I am as much a part of the problem as anyone else. It’s just an observation. For me there is almost a sense of guilt for living in such a society. Are we all like the rich man, about whom Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven?”

I wonder does anyone else have experience with these thoughts and what is your response?

Are you familiar with Scott Hahn? He was a protestant who went to college. His favorite pasttime was to convince Catholics how wrong their belief was. And he was good at it. He commented, “it was like shooting ducks in a barrel.” And the reason he gave was that young Catholics almost know nothing about their faith. When he converted to Catholicism he wrote the book “Home Sweet Rome”. If you read his book, it will explain some of the problems you may be having. It may be one of the most interesting books you will ever read. You may find a used copy to buy on www.Amazon.com and it is worth the few dollars it cost.

Another great book is “Suprised by Truth”, by Patrick Madrid. There are about a dozen people who give there stories of their struggles in finding their faith. They are good because they express so many doubts overcome. In addition, it is really fascinating.

Both these books encompass so many of the truths that people have trouble with. Great treatment.

One more thing. Be sure to have a regular daily prayer life. Whatever you deceide to select for your prayers, or how you wish to pray, is not as important as having a
daily way and time for prayer. And do not miss it for anything. Prayer makes our life in God come alive and be real. If we skip it, or dilute it, it is like saying we no longer need God to strengthen us.

Just a thought.

 

[Student09]

What I mean is God has different personalities for each person that goes to him. I met one girl who described Jesus as if he were her boyfriend, all lovey dovey, and I met another guy who described Jesus as if he were a guy with a big stick, ready to whack you over the head if you go out of line. Very different perceptions of the same person. Many people have an image of Jesus as a peaceful, non-confrontational sort (very contrary to the one in the gospels who vehemently criticized the pharisees and teachers of the law), and many seem to be under the impression that Jesus is far too nice and would never condemn anyone to hell, even though he constantly warned people about it in the gospels. If God is personal, then why isn’t his character so obvious to us that we wouldn’t have to be taught about him by others or by the scriptures, but could learn from him by speaking to him face to face?

It has occasionally happened to me that I and another person (say, my friend John) have met a third person (let’s say her name’s Rosa) and afterward, when I mentioned my impression of Rosa’s character, I found to my surprise that John had a completely different take. For instance, perhaps I found Rosa to be manipulative and insincere, while John thought she was totally sincere and just very excited about everything. Maybe one of us was right and the other wrong, perhaps both were slightly off in our assessment of her - but would you question that Rosa is a person and an individual because John and I had different impressions of her?

There has to be a certain allowance for difference of personality in the way that individuals relate to God. If one person experiences God more as a “lover” (a la St. John of the Cross) and another experiences Him more as a Divine Taskmaster, so what? They each have their own relationship with God. Even the same person can experience God differently at different times - I do. Don’t you think God makes provision for the fact that we have different personalities, different temperaments, different moods, different places in our spiritual lives, and treats us accordingly?

And some people, like those who think Jesus is just “nice”, have a wrong, or at least incomplete image of him, but that should not be surprising given our human limitations and subjectivity. If there is a defect, it is a defect in us - not in God.