When Something Happens

Life is filled with questions. Just when we begin to soar and life couldn’t be better, something happens. We love the thrill of victory, but the defeat’s not so fun. 

Lord, why would you allow this awful tragedy in Florida? How come my dear friends are going through such pain? How do I deal with these physical challenges that come my way? Why is there so much sadness in our world?

Life is filled with questions. Sooner or later, things happen that just don’t make sense. What do we do when something happens?

Habakkuk was a prophet dude in the bible. There are three short chapters tucked away in the Old Testament devoted to his story. Habakkuk, like us, was looking for answers. He was troubled by all the stuff he observed going on in his day. He questioned God…. "How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ But you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?" (Habakkuk 1:2-3)

He honestly felt like God wasn’t hearing him! Habakkuk’s big beef was that that the wicked in Judah were not being punished for their sins. He couldn’t get why a just God would allow such evil to exist. But guess what? God was listening! God told Habakkuk not to worry and that He would deal with Babylon in his own way! He would even use Babylon to punish Egypt and Judah. Habakkuk eventually prayed and waited on God. God was listening after all!

At the end of the book, Habakkuk has a renewed understanding of God’s power and love. He writes:
"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to go on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19

I like Habakkuk’s thought process. Sure, he questioned God. But it didn’t stop there. He prayed. He sought God. Then, he was able to have a perspective that only God could give. Wow. As you start this day, what would your paraphrase be of Habakkuk 3:17-19? (See paraphrase example below.) Will you respond like Habakkuk when something happens?

"Though the cells are malignant, or our boss is belligerent; though our children think our faith is silly, the Bible is fable, and life is futile, we will rejoice in you. Though our pastor fails us, a co-worker slanders us or a friend betrays us, we will rejoice in you." Scotty Smith’s paraphrase (@ScottyWardSmith)

"When you encounter the living God of the Bible through his Word and his Spirit, every excuse, demand, and complaint dies in your heart. He is God. He loves you. If your view of God is too small, pray for him to enlarge it." Tim Keller Wisdom @DailyKeller

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.