When We Shrink God: How Humanizing God Limits Our Faith
"‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” – Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
I once heard someone say, “If I can’t understand it, I can’t believe it.” At first, that statement seemed logical—after all, we like things that make sense. But when it comes to God, applying human logic to divine truth is like trying to pour the ocean into a teacup. It’s impossible.
Yet, we do this all the time. We try to fit God into a box—our box—so we can feel more in control, more comfortable, and less uncertain. But in doing so, we limit the very God who is limitless.
Let’s explore why we tend to humanize God, the dangers of doing so, and how we can trust Him fully without shrinking Him to our level.
What Does It Mean to Humanize God?
Humanizing God means bringing Him down to our level—assigning Him human weaknesses, limitations, or emotions in ways that distort His divine nature. It’s when we try to understand God through the lens of our own experiences, instead of seeing ourselves through the lens of His truth.
Some common ways we do this include:
Expecting God to think like us – “If I were God, I’d handle this differently.”
Doubting His justice – “How could a loving God allow suffering?”
Putting Him on our timeline – “God must answer my prayer the way I want, and when I want.”
Believing He holds grudges like humans do – “I messed up too many times—God must be done with me.”
While we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), God is not made in ours. We reflect aspects of His character, but He is infinitely greater than we can comprehend.
The Problem with Shrinking God
When we humanize God, we risk building a faith that is fragile. A small God leads to small trust, small hope, and small faith.
Imagine trusting a pilot to fly a plane but demanding that they explain aerodynamics in a way you fully understand before boarding. Wouldn’t that be exhausting? Instead of trusting their expertise, you'd be consumed by worry.
The same thing happens when we expect God to operate within the limits of our human reasoning. We start to doubt Him. We second-guess His plan. We hesitate to surrender. But faith was never meant to rest on human understanding—it was meant to rest on who God is.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
My Soul vs. My Spirit: How This Helps or Hurts
Understanding the difference between soul and spirit can help us trust God better.
Your soul is your mind, will, and emotions—how you think, feel, and process life.
Your spirit is the part of you that connects with God. It’s where faith, wisdom, and divine truth reside.
When we operate only from the soul, we struggle. Our thoughts overanalyze God. Our emotions make us question Him. Our will fights against surrender.
But when we live from the spirit, we trust beyond what we see or feel. We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). The more we nurture our spirit through prayer, worship, and God’s Word, the less we depend on our human understanding.
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
So, how do we move from humanizing God to fully trusting Him?
Acknowledge that God is beyond human comprehension. Instead of demanding full understanding, embrace the mystery of God. His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Let go of the need for control. Faith means trusting even when things don’t make sense. Release the need to “figure it all out.”
Feed your spirit, not just your soul. Spend time in God’s presence, meditate on His Word, and pray with expectancy.
Remember God’s track record. Think of past moments when He came through for you. If He was faithful then, He will be faithful now.
Surround yourself with people of faith. Find community with those who encourage you to trust God’s sovereignty rather than shrink Him down.
Faith is not about understanding everything—it’s about trusting the One who does.
Final Thoughts & Prayer
At the end of the day, we have a choice: Will we trust God as He is, or try to make Him fit our limited understanding?
God does not need to be understood to be followed. He does not need to be explained to be trusted. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the One who holds the universe in His hands. When we stop shrinking Him down to human size, we make room for Him to move in ways beyond what we could ever imagine.
Let’s choose today to trust the God who is bigger than our understanding, stronger than our doubts, and more loving than we could ever comprehend.
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🧩 Unscramble the Phrase:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." – Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
🔎 Unscramble this phrase to reveal a powerful truth:
"TSURT DGO YONDABE ROUY DUNANSTREINGD."
👉 Hint: Faith means letting go of needing all the answers.
📝 Challenge: Unscramble the phrase, write it down, and reflect on one way you can trust God more this week!
Have you ever felt like your understanding of God is too small? That maybe, just maybe, you’ve unknowingly shaped Him to fit your own reasoning? In The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer reminds us that God is far beyond our comprehension, and yet, He invites us to know Him deeply. This powerful book explores the attributes of God—His omnipotence, wisdom, love, and holiness—helping us break free from the habit of limiting Him to our human logic.
Much like our recent article, "When We Shrink God: How Humanizing God Limits Our Faith," Tozer challenges us to stop making God fit into our expectations and instead trust in His infinite nature. He beautifully explains how a low view of God weakens our faith, whereas a high view of Him transforms our worship, our trust, and our entire spiritual life. Each chapter is a short yet profound reflection, inviting you to meditate on the greatness of God and walk by faith, not by sight.
Don’t miss this life-changing read! Order The Knowledge of the Holy today and grow in your awe of God. Also, subscribe to the EXCEL2FAITH Newsletter at www.excel2faith.com for more faith-building insights!
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have tried to fit You into my own understanding, limiting Your power in my life. Help me to trust You completely, even when I don’t see the full picture, knowing that Your ways are always higher and Your plans greater than mine. Fill my heart with unwavering faith so that I may walk by trust in You, not by the limitations of my own sight. Draw me closer to You each day, deepening my relationship with You, so that I may rest in Your infinite wisdom and love. Amen.
If you want to make a change in your life and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, or if you have drifted away and want to recommit your life to Him, read this prayer out loud and make it your own
Sinner’s Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I come before You with a humble heart, knowing that I have tried to live life my own way and have fallen short. Today, I turn away from my sins, my doubts, and my desire to control everything, and I surrender completely to You. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again, offering me the gift of salvation and eternal life—I accept You now as my Lord and Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, transform my heart, and lead me to walk in faith, trusting in Your perfect will for my life. Amen.
✨ Did you just pray this prayer? ✨
If you sincerely accepted or recommitted your life to Christ today, I would love to support you on this journey! Please email me at excel2faith@gmail.com, and I’ll send you resources to help strengthen your walk with God. You are never alone—welcome to a new life in Christ!
✅ Unscramble the Phrase solution: "Trust God beyond your understanding."