When Answers Aren't Enough

Larry's child has been diagnosed with a fatal disease. Marsha's husband's addiction is destroying their marriage. Jack's income isn't meeting his family's needs. Mary's daughter abandoned her once firmly rooted faith and plunged forward in an illicit relationship. Sharon's husband's abusive behavior assaults her safety. Max's wife left him for her co-worker. Beth's results proved malignant...

Let's face it. Sometimes answers just aren't enough. During moments of great crisis no one wants to hear pat answers like, I'm praying for you. Stand strong. Or even trademark quotes, like Dream Big. Laugh often. And remember, God's got it all under control.

Answers like that irritate and cause cynicism. So, how do we stand firm in our faith when our relationships don’t get healed...When the check doesn’t arrive in the mail...Or the prayers we’ve cried seem to bounce off the ceiling and assault our faith?

Where is God when we lose our loved one to a fatal disease? What about when pornography or infidelity destroys our marriage? What do we do then?

I wish there were a 1-2-3 answer...an easy way out...but as my dear friend Sandra Aldrich always says, "Some things in life are so painful we can't OVER-come them, we can only endure them."

You've heard me say many times "Faith that costs us nothing, is NOT yet faith."

In moments where simple answers don't suffice and clichés only add insult to injury…we only have one choice…one solution...TO REMEMBER WHO GOD IS...TO REMIND OURSELVES OF HIS GREAT LOVE...AND TO WILLINGLY CHOOSE TO HOLD FAST TO THE TRUTH that God loved us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to traverse through the trenches of our indifference and pride, and to nail the weight of our sin to its final death on the cross…Friend, that kind of love can be trusted!

Jeremiah 31:3-4 says, "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful." (NIV)

Friend, I won't pretend to have all the answers. I don't understand why some are healed while others are not. BUT one thing I hold fast to...God hears our prayers. He will never abandon us...and His plans are to work ALL things together for our good.

If you are struggling today, here are some steps that have helped me...I hope you find comfort and help too:

• Praying Father I don't understand. This hurts so badly. I don't understand why You haven't answered my prayers...please comfort me...grant me Your peace...HELP. I need to know You hear me. I need to know You care. Strengthen me. I CHOOSE to put my trust in You. I acknowledge YOU are God and I am not. I surrender my will to Yours. Move on my behalf. Deliver me I pray. And thank You for Your great love. Thank You that Your plans are to bless and NOT harm. That Your plans are to give me a hope and a future. Let me witness the evidence of that truth. In Jesus name...amen.
• Confide in trustworthy counselors. Surround yourself with spiritual giants. People who don't give pat answers but will also stand with you in the fire. Ask for their prayers. Agree together in prayer.
• On the practical side, shake things up a little. Change the normal everyday routine. Treat yourself to your favorite meal. Take a few minutes to do something fun. I like Sonic Sprites and walks on the beach...neither cost much...both offer me simple enjoyment.
• Finally, speak the truth...out loud. Our mind is a battlefield. Satan's barrage of accusations and discouragement heighted in times of crisis...Declare the truth. Fight the enemy's lies that you are all alone. John 8:32 says, "…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  Declare God's goodness. Remember His great love. Speak boldly that He will never leave or forsake you...and express your gratitude to Him.

Prayer: Father, grant us your peace, wisdom, and presence. Comfort us in those moments when words fall short. Fill us with joy. Remind us of Your incredible love!