Most people know about God. But that’s not the same as knowing Him. A real relationship with God is not built on hearsay, habits, or hollow words. It’s personal. It’s living. And it changes you from the inside out.
To start that kind of relationship, we need to first ask: How to Know God Personally? Because if we’re just following traditions or routines, we’re missing the point.
It Starts with Honesty
God doesn’t want a performance. He wants your heart. Real faith begins when we come to Him just as we are. That means showing up with our fears, guilt, flaws, and all.
We don’t need to pretend. He already sees it all. And He still wants us close.
The Bible says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8). But it’s not just a matter of saying a prayer. It’s about being willing to walk with Him. Like a friend. Like a Father.
The Relationship Needs Time
Think about people you love. You talk to them. You listen. You trust them. That’s how it is with God too.
Prayer is not a speech. It’s a conversation. And reading the Bible isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about hearing His voice.
You can’t build a relationship with someone you ignore. We must give God space in our day. That space grows into trust. That trust turns into peace. Over time, we find ourselves leaning on Him more than we lean on anyone else.
God’s Word Changes Us
When we keep reading the Bible, things begin to shift. Not overnight. But slowly, our thoughts, our actions, and our goals begin to match His.
It’s not about rule-keeping. It’s about love. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Not to prove anything. But because we know Him, and we trust that His way is best.
Real faith isn't just felt. It’s seen. Others begin to notice something different about how we live, speak, and treat others.
It Gets Tested
A real relationship with God is not always easy. Sometimes we hurt. Sometimes we suffer. That’s when we begin asking, why do bad things happen to good people?
It’s a fair question. But pain doesn’t mean God is far. In fact, Scripture tells us, “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted” (Psalm 34:18). God never promised a life free of trials. But He did promise to walk through them with us.
Real faith holds on when life falls apart. Not because we have all the answers, but because we trust the one who does.
It Leads to Obedience
The more we know Him, the more we want to follow Him. Not out of fear, but out of love. Real faith is more than a feeling. It leads to action.
Jesus made it clear, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom... but the one who does the will of my Father” (Matthew 7:21). Obedience doesn’t save us. But it shows that we are saved.
Our lives begin to show His character—truth, mercy, kindness, and love. We don’t do it perfectly. But we keep going. Because we want to please Him.
We Want What He Wants
As we grow in our relationship with God, our desires begin to shift. We want what He wants. His glory. His plan. His truth shared with others.
It’s no longer about us. It’s about Him. That’s how we know the relationship is real.
The Bible says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). He doesn’t give us everything we ask for. But He shapes our heart to ask for better things.
We Don’t Just Know About God—We Walk With Him
A real relationship with God is daily. It’s personal. It shapes every part of life. It’s not tied to feelings or what others say. It’s built on His truth and His grace.
He doesn’t call us to be perfect. He calls us to be faithful.
So if you’ve been wondering how to know God personally, start by talking to Him. Open your Bible. Take small steps. He’ll meet you where you are. And if you keep seeking Him, you’ll find He was never far.
Conclusion
A real relationship with God doesn’t come from habit. It comes from the heart. It’s rooted in trust, grown through prayer, shaped by His Word, and tested through life’s hardest moments. The more you walk with Him, the clearer it becomes.
For readers asking Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People, the answer lies not in simple words—but in walking closely with the God who redeems every pain for a purpose.
JamesBartonBooks.ca offers tools to help you move closer to God each day. The books are written to bring clarity, scriptural truth, and guidance for those who want more than surface faith. If you’re seeking a real, lasting relationship with your Creator, start now—with help from someone who has walked the same road.