In a world that is increasingly secular, where belief in God and spirituality often seem to take a backseat to science and materialism, people find themselves grappling with deep existential questions. These questions—about meaning, purpose, and the value of life—are ever-present in a society where people are more connected digitally than ever, yet often feel emotionally and spiritually adrift. The modern world offers an abundance of distractions, but many still encounter moments of profound despair, where they question whether anything truly matters. Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher and theologian who wrote extensively about these human struggles, provides an inspiring perspective on how our relationship with God can be a source of hope in the face of such crises.
At the heart of Kierkegaard’s work lies the problem of despair. In his seminal work, The Sickness Unto Death, Kierkegaard describes despair as a kind of spiritual illness, an internal condition that affects the very core of what it means to be human. But despair, in Kierkegaard’s view, is not just about feeling down or hopeless in a general sense; it’s a deeper issue that arises when a person fails to live authentically or align themselves with their true nature. And for Kierkegaard, the cure for this despair is found in reconnecting with God.
Kierkegaard’s Concept of Despair
Kierkegaard’s understanding of despair is complex, but central to it is the notion that despair stems from a misalignment between the self and the eternal. In The Sickness Unto Death, he explains that despair is a condition in which a person either refuses to accept their true self or strives to become something they are not. This disconnect between the individual and their authentic self creates a crisis of existence, which Kierkegaard calls “the sickness unto death.”
Despair can manifest in various ways, according to Kierkegaard. Some people are unaware they are in despair, living in a state of denial or avoidance. Others are acutely aware of their despair but feel powerless to change their situation. In either case, the root cause of despair is the individual’s failure to acknowledge their relationship with the divine. Kierkegaard believes that we are fundamentally spiritual beings, and to ignore or reject our need for God is to create a spiritual void—one that leads to despair.
God as the Source of Authenticity
Kierkegaard viewed God not as a distant or detached being, but as intimately involved in the process of human self-realization. For him, the idea of God was crucial to the development of an authentic self. He argued that it is only through our relationship with God that we can fully understand who we are, and that this relationship provides the ultimate source of hope and meaning in the face of existential crisis.
Unlike secular approaches that attempt to find meaning solely in human achievement, social status, or material wealth, Kierkegaard believed that our true identity is rooted in the eternal. He saw God as the ultimate foundation upon which we must build our sense of self. By understanding ourselves as created beings, designed to live in communion with God, we begin to shed the layers of pretense and superficiality that often lead to despair.
To Kierkegaard, living authentically means embracing this relationship with God fully. It means accepting our limitations as finite beings while also recognizing our infinite potential through God’s grace. In this way, God becomes not just a solution to despair, but the key to living a meaningful, fulfilled life.
Faith as a Remedy for Despair
Kierkegaard saw faith as the primary means of overcoming despair. But faith, for Kierkegaard, is not simply about adhering to religious doctrine or participating in rituals. It is a deeply personal and subjective experience that involves a “leap” beyond the rational and the explainable. Faith is the trust that despite the uncertainties of life, we can place our hope in something greater than ourselves.
In The Sickness Unto Death, Kierkegaard discusses the concept of “resting transparently in God.” This means surrendering our anxieties, doubts, and feelings of inadequacy to God and trusting that we are enough because we are connected to the divine. Faith in God provides a remedy to despair by reconnecting us to the source of our true self. It is through faith that we are able to confront the most challenging aspects of life—our mortality, our failures, and our limitations—with a sense of peace and purpose.
For Kierkegaard, faith is not easy. It requires a willingness to confront our deepest fears and acknowledge that we are not in control of everything. But this surrender is also liberating. When we let go of the need to have all the answers and place our trust in God, we find freedom from the existential weight that despair places upon us.
God in a Secular Age
In today’s world, Kierkegaard’s emphasis on faith and the divine may seem out of place. We live in a time where scientific advancements and technological progress have transformed the way we understand the universe. Many people no longer look to God for meaning and purpose, instead placing their trust in human ingenuity and reason.
However, despite the many benefits of living in a secular, scientific age, there are also challenges that come with it—namely, a growing sense of existential crisis. As society becomes more focused on material success, individualism, and instant gratification, many people find themselves feeling empty, disconnected, and lost. The promise of science and progress has not eradicated despair; if anything, it has deepened it for some, as they grapple with the question of whether life has any meaning beyond the pursuit of personal pleasure and achievement.
In this context, Kierkegaard’s view of God offers a powerful counter-narrative. His insistence that true meaning is found in a relationship with the divine challenges the secular assumption that humans are fully self-sufficient. Kierkegaard invites us to consider that our quest for meaning cannot be fully satisfied by material success or intellectual understanding alone. Instead, it is through faith—through a relationship with God—that we find the peace and hope needed to navigate life’s uncertainties.
Applying Kierkegaard’s Ideas Today
For those who find themselves struggling with despair in today’s world, Kierkegaard’s perspective provides a pathway forward. While his emphasis on faith might seem at odds with the prevailing secular mindset, it also offers an important reminder: meaning is not something we create solely through our own efforts. It is something we discover through our connection to something greater than ourselves.
To apply Kierkegaard’s ideas in modern life, one does not need to become deeply religious or adopt a rigid belief system. Instead, his invitation is to consider the possibility that life has a divine source—a purpose that extends beyond the material world. In recognizing this, we begin to let go of the pressures that come with trying to “figure it all out” on our own. We start to see that the path to a meaningful life involves faith, humility, and an openness to the transcendent.
In a world where despair is increasingly common, Kierkegaard’s view of God provides hope. It reminds us that no matter how lost or disconnected we may feel, there is always a way back to authenticity, purpose, and peace—through faith.