"Mommy...Why doesn't God heal Ms. Karan?" "Mommy, Why does God allow us to get sick?" "Mommy, how do you really hear God's voice?"
Wow. How do you answer questions that sometimes mirror your own?
Oh...don't get me wrong...I know the "RIGHT" things to say; I even know for the most part "how" to say what needs to be said...BUT I'm learning sometimes....easy answers shouldn't be offered! Sometimes...some questions shouldn't be attempted to be answered directly with words...some painful questions demand silence...a secure hug...shared tears...and instead of words...need to be deferred to the CHARACTER of CHRIST...and a gentle reminder of WHO GOD IS.
Questions like: Does God hate me? Is this why I'm sick? Is God judging me? Why did He let my baby die? Why did He allow me to get this disease? Why didn't he stop my husband from having the affair? Why did he allow my abuse? Why did He allow me to lose my job? WHY??? WHY??? WHY???? This week on my blog talk show we had callers who carried HEAVY PAIN...Broken people. Raw hurts. Bearing questions of why? What do I do? Does God hate me? Is He judging me? At some point in our life, we will all probably face a heavy question...a proverbial "WHY".
In moments like these when questions reveal brokenness, the questions demand more than surface answers. In other words...simple answers can't always solve deep hurts and pains.When circumstances attempt to crush us, weight us, destroy us...and the accuser shouts accusations, questioning God's love for us and our worth in His eyes...we have to counter attack with the truth of WHO GOD IS.
He is the God Who hears us. (1 John 5:14-15) He is the God Who loves us. (Isaiah 43:4, John 3:16) He is the God Who gave up everything for us and humbled Himself to the point of death...even death on the cross. (Philippians 2:8) He is the God Who says "never will I leave you....never will I forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) He is the God Who redeems and turns all of our heartaches for the good. "He works all things together for the the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purposes." (Romans 8:28)
Today, I won't even attempt to answer ALL of your questions. I won't presume to have ALL of your solutions...BUT...I will gladly point you to THE ONE WHO does. And, regardless of your circumstances, regardless of your pain, regardless of your questions...HE IS FAITHFUL. And He will NEVER LEAVE YOU! YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Any accusation, thought, or feeling that contradicts HIS REDEMPTIVE LOVE is NOT from HIM!
Psalm 34:18-19,22 says, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him." (NIV)
Friends, I know many of your stories, and I don't know all the reasons "WHY" some things happen...but I've found in my own life...that GOD CAN BE TRUSTED. And He can take the most horrific circumstances and bring about good. HIS peace surpasses ALL understanding and His LOVE can be trusted.
Don't give up. He is near. And, as Isaiah 43:2-3 promises, "When you pass through the waters, (God says) I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (WHY? Because God promises...) For I am the LORD, your God." (NIV)
PRAYER: Father, I ask for your strength for the weary. Hope for the hopeless. Love for the broken. Healing for the afflicted. Show Yourself. Reveal Your Power. Lavish us with Your love. And may we always point back to You and bring glory and honor to Your name.
Thanks Julie for this timely yet timeless message!
ReplyDeleteAfter studying theology as a young man, I was prepared to give an intellectual and Bible centered answer to anyone who asked a question. My pastor invited me to visit a young woman in the hospital who had only weeks before given her life to Christ. She was so full of joy! She was filled with anticipation and hope of her new life in Christ. While in the hospital expecting to deliver her first baby, something went wrong. She lost her baby. She felt betrayed and abandoned by God. She was crying out in anguish, "Jesus why?" I started to reflect on all of my training as to prepare the right answer and explain all of the possibilities. I watched my pastor pick up a small wash cloth and run some cool water over it at the little sink. He gently wiped her face as he began to weep with her. He said, "We don't understand why, we only know Who and because He loves us so much we need to trust Him." We wept some more with her and then quietly left the room.
I asked my pastor why didn't he attempt to explain from the scriptures all of the reasons that God allows things like this to happen?
My pastor said, "Right now she doesn't need a lesson, what she needs right now is love."