My brother, John, asked recently if I remember doing puzzles together as children, and sadly, I do not. I have never had a very good memory, and many of the things I “remember” from childhood are what I see in photographs that our mother took. 

I guess I was quite a character as a kid. One day I apparently was entertaining two-year-old John as he sat in his highchair. I was four and must have decided it would be fun to dump a can of chicory over both our heads. My mother heard his squeals of laughter and came to see what I had done, and quickly snapped a picture before I got my scolding.

So, even though I do not remember this event at all, there is proof that I did indeed do it. The evidence is in the photo. There are many other photographs my mom took of us as children that I can look at to “remember” the antics I participated in.

However, there were also stories my mother told me of things I’d done with no picture evidence. Like the time my grandma brought in a basket of eggs and sat them on the counter. With no one watching, I must have thought it would be fun to climb up to play with the eggs and started throwing them around the kitchen. This time Mom went right to the scolding.

Even though there were no photos of some of these stories as evidence I’d done them, my mother telling me the stories was proof enough that I’d done them. Even though I don’t remember them at all, my mother was an eyewitness to pass these stories on to me and I believe them. She would not have made them up.

There are many other things in our lives that we choose to believe because of the evidence of eyewitnesses, whether we’ve actually seen them or not. We believe stories passed down through the generations of our grandparents and ancestors. We believe the history of our nation that was taught to us.

So, in light of this, we also have the choice to believe that the events portrayed in the Bible are truly God’s word and happened as the eyewitnesses who wrote about them depicted. There is much evidence to support these things from archeological findings, history, and the stories and writings passed down through the generations.

Each of us must make the choice to look at the evidence and decide what we believe. If there are doubts, we can ask God to show us who He truly is and bring clarity to help us understand His Word. Many have been taught to believe in God and trust His Word but have no idea why we believe it. They cannot defend their belief against those who would oppose them.

There is also evidence found in the lives of many believers that prove God’s existence and the truth of the promises found in His Word. We see and hear of unexplainable miracles that have happened throughout the ages and continue to this day. We share testimonies with others of how God has worked in our lives that are proof of His love and care for us. So, it may be time to search your heart to see what you truly believe about God and His Word. There is sufficient evidence available to overcome any doubts.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.