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January 03, 2007
Where is God when it hurts?
“Where is God when it hurts?” Seems like there was a book some years ago with a title something like that. Was it by Phillip Yancey? Seems right. I don’t remember much about the book, but I think it was about physical suffering.
I am not physically suffering, but I might argue that emotional pain is harder to deal with than physical pain. And perhaps the most painful condition is living in the absence and silence of God.
The question is one that spends a lot of time wandering through the corridors of my mind. Every time I turn around, I hear the echo of its footsteps. And I am tired of hearing it. I want it to go away. I want to see the face of God, to feel his touch in the midst of pain. I want to know that I am not alone, abandoned by the One to whom I have given my life.
Have you ever been in a situation where you were trying your best to be faithful to God, and yet the situation was so painful you didn’t know what to do? You know, you reach a place where you think you cannot continue, that unless God does something for you, you will die?
When I get into one of those places, it’s so hard to maintain my focus. It’s especially hard to maintain the one thing that I believe is essential to continuing: hope. Without hope, we die. It’s as essential to life as air and food.
Yet, it seems that sometimes God just disappears and goes silent. David wrote about some of these times in the Psalms, crying out to God. It’s not a new occurrence, nor is it limited to any particular group within the people of God. But it does seem that the more we seek to be near to God, to know him and to serve him, the harder life becomes.
I am reminded of Teresa of Avila, the saint who once told God it was no wonder He didn’t have more friends, looking at the way He treated the few He did have.
So, where is God when it hurts? Well, I have to conclude that He’s the same place He always is. God doesn’t move away when we enter into a hard time. He is right there. But I think sometimes our hearing and vision both go dim. We focus so much on the pain and frustration that we are oblivious to the One standing by us. But He is there, without question.
I would like to say I follow God out of the joy he gives me, and the purpose in life, and the forgiveness from sin. And sometimes that would be true. But not always.
Sometimes, I identify with the disciples of Jesus who watched the crowds melt away at the hard things Jesus was teaching. And when He asked them if they were going to leave, too, they said, “Who else has the words of life?”
Sometimes I follow God in joy and delight. Sometimes I follow him in desperation: Who else is there who has words of life? Where else would I go?
So, hurt or not, sensing God’s presence or not, hearing his voice or not, I follow him. Who else is there?
Posted by Larry Baden at January 3, 2007 05:14 PM
Comments
VEREY , TRUE , YOU ARE IN A PRIVALAGED PLACE TO BE ,AMONGST OTHER PEOPLE, I GET A WARPED PERSPECTIVE AND GET SELF CENTERED, ALONE ,ALONE,
AN EXAMPLE OF SUFFERING NOT LOVE,
SO BE SURE TO ENJOY WHAT YOU KNOW OF GOD,
U COULD LOOSE THE CHOICE.?YOUR OWN MIND MAY TURN AGAINST YOU? AND MOVE FRM THE WORDS OF LIFE , ITS SHIT TRUST,
Posted by: Daniel morris at January 4, 2007 02:31 PM
No one knows you better than God; it is written in Psalm 139:13-16 "You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be."
Because God knows you so well, he knows even before you know, your suffering. It's during the most painful and trying times of our lives that we wonder why God is seemingly silent, or seemingly absent. But he really isn't silent or absent, we just don't know how to silent and how to listen for Him when he does speak to us. God is with us always, when He feels the farthest from us is actually when he's the closest to us!
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Christ suffered and died to fulfill his purpose, to die for us, Revelation 5:59...and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."
To inherit the kindgdom, to go to heaven, we all must be more like Christ, and yes, that does mean that there will be human suffering. God is more concerned with your spritual growth and developement than your physical health. It is through pain and suffering that we are made perfect. Jesus said that there would be trouble in our lives, he told us to count on it! But God gave us His living Word so that we can navigate through this fallen world, through the pain and suffering not by our own strength, but by the grace of God, with His help through His Son Jesus Christ. We are never alone, God is always with us, the enemy would like to whisper in your ear that you're alone and that God does care and that he doesn't hear your cries and won't answer your prayers. That's a lie! When we continually focus solely our circumstances, we cannot see the bigger picture, how is God using your life for His purpose? What kind of a witness are you for Christ? It is our (Christians) example of our commitment to God even though we may grieve and suffer we cling to Him. That is why it is so very, very important to read the Word every day, especially when you are in crisis or strugging with health issues.
Our reward is not here on Earth, our reward is with our Heavenly Father in Heaven. All God's promises are true, but if you don't know them then what do you have to hold on to when life gets hard and you're suffering? It's easy to blame God and be angry with Him when things go wrong, but often times we bring troubles onto ourselves by our own actions and lifesytles by not following God's teaching for how He tells us we should be living. Remember, He created us, who better would know what is best for us?
When God says "Don't", He is really saying "Don't hurt yourself." Go into the Word and discover just how much God loves us, and just like a parent, must allow us to suffer through some circumstances because it's what is best for us in the long run.
Your Sister in Christ,
God Bless you!
Posted by: Marie at January 5, 2007 12:57 PM
Yes, I experienced the same torture,too!. Sometimes, seems like I myself now became my greatest oppressor. When I'm in the situation it's hard to focus, yes. But what keeps me going is that I have HOPE in CHRIST. Perhaps, If I had not come to know Him, I would have ended empty. He refresh my mind by telling me how blessed I am. That everyday He offers Hope, Healing, Love, Joy... Praise God! His words brought me relief;
"...forgeting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."
Philppians 3: 13
In Christ
Posted by: Jonathan at January 19, 2007 10:09 PM
In all that I have had the opportunity to read, the outcome is the same. When we see(our selves) being involved in gods plan, we miss the opportunity to see god operating his own plan.
The scriptures testify that god is (spirit), and they that worship god must do so in (spirit) and in truth. That statement alone eliminates all natural or physical things...things seen with natural eyes including man. Even the scriptures conclude that the savior himself left the physical behind when he "resurrected a quickening (spirit)". Then you have "flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom". the examples are tooo many to list here. Point being that anytime we interject what we believe are (our own) thoughts and opinions into the workings of god, we unwittingly admitt that god is not in control of all things therefore making him a weak god ...one incapable of controling the very creation that he created for his pleasure. God IS in control of his creation and he controls every aspect of it. It is perfect in every way because he makes no mistakes. If one is knowledgable and one is not, it is because god has made it so. If one lives and one dies...it is because god has deemed it to be so.The scriptures are accurate when they say "The end was known from the beginning". The reason is because the one who created it to do what it does, is also the one doing it.
Posted by: Mel at February 8, 2007 05:17 PM
I have been in the darkest place depression can take a person. I fear everyday I will return. Where was God during that time? Where is God today? My hope in Him diminishes a little more each day. I confessed faith and asked Him into my life when I was 15 years old. Now I'm 50 and looking for the evidence that He exists. I sometimes feel that everything was made up by the early Catholic church to control the masses. I have spent a lot of time trying seeking someone or some website to show me where I am wrong. I do not have the hope of finding it.
Posted by: Dan Bjorklund at March 5, 2007 10:43 AM
Dan,
I noticed that you registered to post on the TWS forum. I hope you will post some of the thoughts you have posted here. I would enjoy chatting with you.
Larry
Posted by: Larry Baden at March 5, 2007 10:12 PM
sometimes the pain takes you places where you don't want to be and draws thoughts that causes you to shudder. they make you want to pull back and step out but then you make a stop and you ask the question, "if not God then who?"
throuightout my walk as a christian for the pass ten years(may be baby years in comparison to others)I have been thoigh enough to make you shudder.
But a pastor once shared that he would rather die and find out that God does not exist than to die then find out that there is a God and spend eternity in hell.
I endorse that statement, but i have shared enough with God to know that He does exist and is alive and well.
And at the bottopm of the pit there is apeace resonating that only God can give. It is either God or this world and I choose God. Enough for me is the peace He gives that is neither seen nor touchable.I keep in mind the great times we have together to help keep me through the hard and tough timesas He God Himself carry me though.
Take Heart.THank you, Mr Larry.
Posted by: Natalie Barrett at March 20, 2007 06:02 PM
