We encourage people in the midst of their struggles by providing clear thinking and right values. When God Is Distant. Jesus died on the cross and in those dark hours, He was separated from God’s love (Matthew 27:46). He could force us to be loving. At this moment you can call out to God by telling Him something like this in sincerity: “God, I have turned away from You in my heart, but I want to change that. She shares bits and pieces of her battle and how God ultimately used the suffering to expose doubts she had about Him. Your email address will not be published. For our son. God cannot be in a word that is filled with suffering. In this world, God will wipe every tear from people’s eyes. It is a gift from God offered to us, which we receive when we ask Him to enter our lives. This is God who created the universe with its uncountable stars, simply by speaking the words, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky.”8 This is God who says He “reigns over the nations.”9 He is unlimited in power and wisdom. Jesus left the safety and security of His home, and entered the hard environment we live in. We. [clickToTweet tweet=”Join us for the Salt & Light Linkup every Thursday . Thank you God.”, Have you just now sincerely asked God into your life? There is a palace owner but no flames. Not necessarily that God exists. “In the midst of the suffering, God is there.” This timely message from Mr. Graham beckons us to trust God, even when we don’t understand the world around us, and to take on the “glorious task” of sharing the hope we have with others. One moment he wants God to leave him alone, the next moment he wants Him to listen. What about heaven? It’s so easy to forget how much we are loved in the midst of suffering. But not in OUR Time. It has been said by some that God is just a crutch. The Sacred Heart linking Christ to His priests is a popular symbol of the Catholic priesthood. But there is a peace and a strength that God’s presence gives. (Rooted, Part 4) Rooted. • Promises a future hope that one day the problem of pain will be eclipsed. • Brings meaning to our suffering by explaining how God can shape us through it. He now offers us eternal life. Price New from Used from Kindle "Please retry" $9.99 — — Paperback "Please retry" $12.99 . Where is God in the midst of suffering? Not necessarily that God exists. Yes, I KNOW we live in a fallen world, but so much suffering is heartbreaking and we ask God for mercy for his children….theologians put the reason for such unimaginable suffering upon the issue of sin. Jesus Christ told His followers these comforting words: “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”21. PRAYER POINTS • For deeper connections within your group as a … I was reminded of just how much I’ve let doubt creep in, when I read this excerpt from her post: It wasn’t long before it was clear that I did have doubt. Twitter. Accept this, enlighten yourself, and learn to let go of all desire. “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Finding Light at the End of the Tunnel During Uncertainty, How to Cling to God in the Midst of Anxiety and Worrying. Written by GodLife on 22/11/2015 Series: Weekly Devotional. He cares for those who trust in him.”5 And, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. You can receive Jesus into your life right now. Not a haha funny, but an interesting funny. Times like this feel like a gathering storm. Even more so when one of my kids were suffering. Have you ever wondered where God was when you were suffering? Everyone at some point in their lives has to confront the awesome reality of suffering. If you are God’s, then you can rest on the promise that, “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”29, Jesus Christ said, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Though problems seem insurmountable to us, we have an incredibly capable God who reminds us, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for Me?”10 Somehow He is able to maintain the freedom of sinful humans, yet still bring about His will. Dial 911, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255. God’s timing is perfect and your kind words were an affirmation of His love today. . There will be no more mourning, crying, death or pain.19 And God, by His Spirit, will dwell in people in such a way that they will never sin again.20, The events of a terrorist attack are horrific enough. 3. We don’t earn this. It reminds me of darker days when I relied on him for every single step as I approached a treatment center where my child was residing. He is bigger than all the problems that can hit us, and we are not left alone to deal with them. Our mission is to reach, rescue and restore those who are broken and hopeless. As David writes he feels forsaken by God. Thank you for the post and the linkup. Thank you for linking up every week. I never doubted that Jesus was ABLE to prevent our children’s pain. You can do this through prayer. Memory Verse: Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. The arrows flying towards you seem overwhelming and you're sure, Forgiveness is a funny thing, isn't it? . and 254 more episodes by Mission Valley FMC San Gabriel, free! We placed our hope and faith in Him in our distress and didn’t get the response we desired. It may come in the form of ill health, job loss or the breakup of a marriage. God has created humanity with the ability to choose. . God came to earth to rescue us. How would we want God to act? If God exists, evil does not exist. He said three days after being buried He would show Himself physically alive to those who saw His crucifixion. I offered her a few of my typical thoughts on the subject—thoughts that I am now certain were marginally helpful at best—and then an awkward silence settled over us as we considered her suffering and feelings of rejection by God along with my somewhat perfunctory defense of God’s faithfulness. No problem has the capacity to be insurmountable to God. Written By Jesse Fadel. It. Yet through it all, he insists that his suffering is undeserved, and he demands that God give him a hearing. Where is God in the midst of suffering? (Who would know if He actually did it?) The Bible says that God has “set eternity in the hearts of men.”18 Maybe that means we know, in our hearts, what a better world would look like. The Majesty of God in the Midst of Innocent Suffering: The Message of Job Paperback – May 10, 2019 by Walter C. Kaiser Jr. (Author) 5.0 out of 5 stars 5 ratings. So He says to all who are willing, “Come to Me.”, Unlike us, God knows what will happen tomorrow, next week, next year, the next decade. Yet the Bible makes it as clear as the Caribbean ocean that He not only cares about the details and struggles of our lives, He is actively involved in the minutia of our days (Matthew 10:29-31). In the case of dealing with a terrorist attack, what could possibly be an acceptable number of deaths for God to allow?! In the midst of the problems and challenges we face, the distant God is being replaced by a more intimate presence. But you are so right, Maree Dee…God is right there with us! If you are wondering what a relationship with God is all about, you may also enjoy this free eBook. In response to age-old question, “where is God in the midst of suffering?” I previously wrote an article on divine love and human suffering, based on C.S Lewis’ book, The Problem of Pain. If you are in need of immediate help. Life is Messy. Yet, God is not at the mercy of people, but the other way around. C. Experiencing God: Hope in the Midst of Suffering JESUS: • Validates our feelings about suffering and welcomes questions. He said that three days after His death He would come back to life, proving that He is God. David feels like he is groaning for God to rescue him, but God doesn’t respond. 2. We pleaded and cried out before Him as we held our sweet hurting babies. In the midst of those situations, we often begin to doubt. In the midst of his agony David asks: “God, where are you?”But he gets no response. The Bible says that “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.”13. More importantly, He knows what will occur in your life and can be there for you, if you’ve chosen to include Him in your life. Would we rather God allowed only the death of one person? But then what kind of relationship would we have with Him? I never doubted He was ABLE to heal them at any time. “For God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”12, Many of us — no, all of us — choose at times to stiff-arm God and His ways. Your email address will not be published. And for a time that seemed far too long, they kept on hurting. That doesn’t mean that those who know God will escape difficult times. Refusing an eternal relationship with God, which Jesus offers you, would be worse. Meanwhile, believers who suffer can emerge from their valleys with purified character, deeper faith and a greater awareness of how truly faithful God is. One follower of Jesus Christ put it this way: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”4 Reality tells us that we will experience problems in life. Yet God doesn’t require us to understand. Jesus, the Son of God in human form, willingly took all of our sin on Himself and paid our penalty of death. God is the Creator of the universe who yearns for us to know Him. For our daughter. I asked her if she wanted to talk. He says, “you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”3. There are some things we will never understand, and God's wisdom in suffering is one of them. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.”7 If you truly turn to God, He will care for you as no one else does, and in a way that no one else can. Our sin has separated us from God, and it affects more than this life. Website | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter, Website | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram, Website | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter, Website | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter. And God doesn’t have to show it to us. A girl named Cecilia waited to talk to me one night after I finished speaking at a youth convention. The consequences? If evil exists, God does not exist. Ravi Zacharias brings a message called "Though the fig tree does not bud." Love this linkup and all the great content and bloggers I’m finding through here. But it is likely that He is the only reliable one. Whatever crises attack you in this life, He can keep you strong. This means that we are not forced into a relationship with Him. It is so difficult to watch our children suffer, and when our prayers are not answered exactly as we would like. In Psalm 23 David praises God and His nurturing care in the midst of trials. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Oct 11. Human suffering is rooted in the very first sin when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, and as a result, were driven out of a perfect creation. Your email address will not be published. Thank you for an encouraging post! You only add to your suffering when you try to live as if you were not subject to the law of karma. Compared to others, certainly compared to a terrorist, we might consider ourselves to be respectable, loving people. He didn’t say He would reincarnate someday. Naturally, we cry from the depths of our souls…”But God, how could You let something of this magnitude happen?”. I want to receive Jesus Christ and His forgiveness into my life. He is in trouble and God feels far, far away. #crisis #coronavirus #pandemic. Somewhere deep down in our souls, we know that there must be a much better place to live, free from heart-wrenching difficulties and pain. One moment he declares himself guiltless, the next moment he admits that no man is. Right now you can ask God to enter your life. We don’t always see the bigger picture. Tags: Evil, Suffering, Tragedy, Trouble “….We found trouble all around us. Required fields are marked *. The penalty for our sin is death, or eternal separation from God. But in this instance, we can see how that one event, helped God accomplish His purpose in so many different areas. They won’t. We trusted. January 1 . All that transpires is because God willed it. That’s where TheHopeLine® comes in. If you are suffering from something specific today, browse this … And without support, many lose hope that things will ever get better. I love when God shows up in that way! In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”30 He promises never to fail us or forsake us.31, This post was originally published here. We’ve been there. WhatsApp. Where is God in the midst of suffering: A timely topic in our world today, isn’t it? We prayed boldly. Listen to Where Is GOD In The Midst Of Suffering? She stood with arms crossed, sort of hugging herself like she was cold or afraid. 22:40 - Facing Truth in the Midst of Suffering. God knows the pain and suffering we encounter in this world. If you are wondering what a relationship with God is all about, you may also enjoy this free eBook. She wanted to know where God was, if there really was a God, in the midst of her suffering. Jesus got tired, knew hunger and thirst, battled accusations from others and was ostracized by family and friends. David Quinn February 8, 2018. Do we want Him to control the actions of people? There are only flames. “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.”16 If we repent of our sin and turn back to God, we can have the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. God’s Word tells us, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. Founded over 25 years ago by youth speaker and radio host, Dawson McAllister, we have heard the struggles people face and learned how to offer life-changing support. Feel free to grab the featured button below and place it on your website! Not all are Christians….are they the ‘other sheep’ referred to in the Gospel? Suffering may be the only means by which a nonbeliever will see his need for Christ (though only God knows this). There is no God. But Jesus experienced far more than daily hardships. The death of people we love convinces us that there’s something very wrong with this life and this world. We've compiled list of articles on different life struggles such as addiction, depression, spritual dryness, marital strife and more. Being able to see God at work in the midst of suffering often feels as rare as a cross sea sighting. People choose to ignore God, to defy God, to go their own way and commit horrible acts against others. 347. • Came to show the depths of his love by suffering alongside us and for us. Both children were healed in His unique way, and in His time. I read a post by Elaine this week, where she describes the suffering her children have been through and how doubt began to control her thoughts. However, God has provided a way for us to be forgiven and know Him. Loved the honesty in this post. 2. Where is God? Perseverance: Training to Win the Marathon. He only asks that we not throw away our confidence in him. . C.S. And, we’ve talked to others who’ve been there. And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. I know I have. Be the God of my life from this day onward. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ae9763021e0c84f11d4c74874c290dc1" );document.getElementById("dacc05f8f9").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. More than you can imagine. We. One way is to curse God because of our suffering and the other is to praise God, even in the midst of our suffering. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.”6. Recently I ran into someone that I hadn't seen in a few years. Thank you. 4 new features each week!” quote=”Join us for the Salt & Light Linkup every Thursday . Or we might be hit by a car. He promises to make His home in you.27 And He gives you eternal life.28, No matter what happens in the world around you, God can be there for you. Pinterest. God clearly says, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose.”11 And we can draw comfort from that if our lives are submitted to Him. He will never leave us nor forsake us but take every step with us. If you have further questions about God? We have often lived like we could run our lives just fine without Him. Thank you for hosting! thl.cta.load("1515207295a8340945f02a0.74307520"); thl.cta.load("7547846025ab128dc001214.64993881"); Filed Under: Anxiety, Coronavirus, Faith, New Believer Tagged With: FAQ, Guest Posts. A tragedy unfolded less than a week ago in our home state. We have…by our lives and actions…distanced ourselves from God. Objective: Move your group to a more vulnerable and deeper level of discussion about surrendering their lives to Christ and their faith in His holiness, sovereignty and goodness. Jesus told others ahead of time that He would be crucified. Thank you for sharing your story with us last week, Elaine! Your thoughts…. Read Psalm 119:68 Read James 1:17 Okay, well if thats true, everything was created good, then why is there suffering? God is silent. As we begin to address God in prayer, are we not caught short, paused by the sense that God is well aware of our thoughts, actions and self-centeredness? Psalm 22 begins with a cry of anguish. We ask God to bless them and keep them safe or to, Have you ever had those moments where you felt attacked in every direction and you weren't sure what to do? Most of us can say that we pray casually for our families. What can He do about it? “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”23 It is through Jesus Christ that we can come back to God. Our suffering may serve a Divine purpose that we don’t understand. No signup or install needed. That is why we are all here. Think are our rights to such knowledge millions of people are Experiencing as... Editions Hide other formats and editions on the inside. ” 2 Corinthians 7:5 great content and bloggers i ’ finding! Will be a completely different system in which His will is done all the.... 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( though only God knows the pain and suffering the mercy of people are Experiencing God as more and! And know Him through it allows us to reject Him and serve Him a. Him in our home state question the goodness of God, where you... And grow we had fighting on the inside. ” 2 Corinthians 7:5, to defy,. Has created humanity with the ability to choose hope that things will ever get better a! His priests is a popular symbol of the Tunnel During Uncertainty, how to battle at! Refusing an eternal relationship with God is good ; blessed is the man who takes refuge in ”... Ground apart from your Father and paid our penalty of death things we will never understand, entered.