Well, Friend,
In my husband's line of work, he was trained in a psychological theory called "Confirmation Bias." This theory is important to keep in mind as he interviews witnesses because it helps him evaluate accuracy. I was studying it myself recently and was really fascinated in how "confirmation bias" relates to how we interpret God through suffering.
Ready to dive deep with me?
What is Confirmation Bias?
So the down-low. Confirmation bias is basically a lens all humans have in their interactions with life.
Specifically in relationships, confirmation bias is when someone believes something about another person and then interprets that person’s words and actions through that belief system to confirm it. The lens often skews accuracy either toward positivity or negativity.
For example:
If a co-worker believes you dislike them, their lens will interpret words and actions by you as being hostile, even when everyone else experienced the same words and actions as neutral.
On the other hand, a relative could have the confirmation bias that you love them. This belief creates a lens that sees comments and actions in a positive light.
Usually someone with a negative confirmation bias gets mistaken for "being sensitive" and someone with a positive confirmation bias looks like "being gracious."
Our confirmation biases can change depending on who we interact with and how we sense they feel about us.
What is our Confirmation Bias about God?
This leads me to the question I want to explore:
What is our confirmation bias about God and His allowance of suffering?
I don’t know about you, but mine has changed drastically over the years.
If God's Love is Conditional...
I used to believe this.
For people who believe that God will withdraw his love if we mess up, suffering takes on the role of divine punishment. People with this negative confirmation bias of God often:
- Ask, “Is God punishing me?” when suffering comes
- Interpret neutral life events superstitiously (as signs of God’s pleasure or warning)
- Wonder if God has abandoned them or is harboring resentment over a past mistake
- Notice Bible verses about judgment or fear, while skimming over verses about grace
People (like me five years ago) who believe God shows blessing when pleased and cursing when displeased will try to do everything right—and then blame God for being unfair when suffering still comes.
When I thought this way, I skimmed the Bible and only dwelt on the verses that confirmed my belief.
When this belief in God’s conditional love eventually proved untrue, the verses I had used to justify my bias felt confusing and unreliable. I didn’t know how to read the Bible anymore, so I didn’t read it for a long time afterward.
But then… everything changed.
If God's Love is Unconditional...
When I realized that God’s love was not based on me “being good,” but on His own goodness, I no longer saw suffering as evidence that God was angry with me.
Jesus had already paid the punishment for my sins. I no longer carried constant guilt or expected doom when I failed.
“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s love is unconditional toward us and rooted entirely in His faithfulness.
“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast.”
—Ephesians 2:8–9
When my bias changed to God’s love being unconditional, I no longer viewed suffering as punishment for what I had done, but as loving preparation for what I was going to do.
The biblical word discipline no longer felt punitive, but preparatory—like a coach training his team for future games.
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
—Ephesians 2:10
When my confirmation bias about who God is changed, the lens through which I viewed life, theology, and Scripture itself changed with it.
I stopped obsessing over verses about the righteous receiving physical blessings and began noticing:
- God’s incredible grace displayed on the cross
- His faithfulness in our faithlessness
- His strength made perfect in our weakness
I loved God because my confirmation bias became this:
He first loved me.
Reflection Questions
- What is your confirmation bias about God?
- How does it affect your perception of Scripture, theology, and life events?
- How might God be using your suffering to prepare you for a future purpose?
Timeless Proof
I want to end this reflection with a song I wrote that captured the moment I first understood God’s love was unconditional through the cross.
I hope it enhances your devotional time and reminds you:
God loves you—even when life says He doesn’t.
If my reflections or music have helped you, consider subscribing or sharing this reflection with a friend or family member who may benefit.
God bless you with spiritual blessings!
Amanda Joy Smith
Composer and Author | Songs from the Valley
New to our Community? Subscribe today and receive a free subscriber- only devotional! It's good to have you :)
Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
