There have been times in my life when I’ve questioned ‘Where is God when this or that happened?' Life didn't go the way I thought it would. The pain I felt caused me to question God. And I did.
What about you? You fill in the blank. When you have no clue what to do. When the diagnosis comes. When you fear the future. When disappointments mount. When the pain won’t stop. When the cries of your heart are agonizing. When life throws a curve ball. Where is God when these things happen?
Who hasn’t asked a few of these questions this past year? There was no smooth cookie-cutter set of directions for how to get through 2020. We’ve all been challenged in some form or fashion. I think the greater question now is this: How will we respond to God when we don’t know where He is?
When considering pain, I’m often reminded of C.S. Lewis’ thoughtful words “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures…but shouts to us in our pain. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Could it be that God could use the events of 2020 somehow, someway, in your heart and mine? Could it be that some of the greatest spiritual growth comes in the midst of our deepest suffering? Could it be that God is shouting to you in your pain?
John 16:33 comes to mind: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” I find such comfort in this verse. Jesus is speaking and telling us that it is in Him that we can have peace. Secondly, He says that in the world there will be tribulation. Thirdly, He tells us to take heart and remember that He has overcome the world. It is a relationship with Christ that guides us through the ups and downs of life. It is in a relationship with Christ that we realize that this world is not our home. Our suffering can draw us deeper into Christ and the profound hope He gives us in his word. Suffering is a time to recommit our focus to what’s important…our God, our family and friends, our work, living out our calling, and loving, serving and caring for all people.
You and I aren’t the only ones who have questioned and asked where God is. Scott Sauls writes “Job lost children, his wife’s affection, his livelihood, and his reputation in a single day. Moses stuttered. Jacob limped. Sarah was infertile. Tamar and Bathsheba were assaulted. David was betrayed by his son. Hosea’s wife fell into prostitution, as did Rahab. Ruth was widowed in her youth. Mordecai was oppressed and belittled. Jeremiah battled depression, as did Elijah. Gideon Doubted God, as did Thomas. Mary and Joseph sought asylum from a reign of terror. Mary and Martha buried their brother. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Peter hated himself.” (Scott Sauls, When Faith Feels Like Defeat)
God’s word is chock full of examples of people just like you and I. People who’ve had bad things happened. People who wondered “Where is God?” when these things happened. Yet, they modeled dependence and trust in a sovereign God. They believed God would keep His promises. Where is God when _____? He’s right beside You loving You and longing to walk with You through the mess.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Who hasn’t asked a few of these questions this past year? There was no smooth cookie-cutter set of directions for how to get through 2020. We’ve all been challenged in some form or fashion. I think the greater question now is this: How will we respond to God when we don’t know where He is?
When considering pain, I’m often reminded of C.S. Lewis’ thoughtful words “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures…but shouts to us in our pain. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Could it be that God could use the events of 2020 somehow, someway, in your heart and mine? Could it be that some of the greatest spiritual growth comes in the midst of our deepest suffering? Could it be that God is shouting to you in your pain?
John 16:33 comes to mind: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” I find such comfort in this verse. Jesus is speaking and telling us that it is in Him that we can have peace. Secondly, He says that in the world there will be tribulation. Thirdly, He tells us to take heart and remember that He has overcome the world. It is a relationship with Christ that guides us through the ups and downs of life. It is in a relationship with Christ that we realize that this world is not our home. Our suffering can draw us deeper into Christ and the profound hope He gives us in his word. Suffering is a time to recommit our focus to what’s important…our God, our family and friends, our work, living out our calling, and loving, serving and caring for all people.
You and I aren’t the only ones who have questioned and asked where God is. Scott Sauls writes “Job lost children, his wife’s affection, his livelihood, and his reputation in a single day. Moses stuttered. Jacob limped. Sarah was infertile. Tamar and Bathsheba were assaulted. David was betrayed by his son. Hosea’s wife fell into prostitution, as did Rahab. Ruth was widowed in her youth. Mordecai was oppressed and belittled. Jeremiah battled depression, as did Elijah. Gideon Doubted God, as did Thomas. Mary and Joseph sought asylum from a reign of terror. Mary and Martha buried their brother. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Peter hated himself.” (Scott Sauls, When Faith Feels Like Defeat)
God’s word is chock full of examples of people just like you and I. People who’ve had bad things happened. People who wondered “Where is God?” when these things happened. Yet, they modeled dependence and trust in a sovereign God. They believed God would keep His promises. Where is God when _____? He’s right beside You loving You and longing to walk with You through the mess.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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