Sometimes life hurts big. Pain hits us all. It does not discriminate based social standing, race, gender, wealth, intelligence, or even religion. Everyone can think back to a time in their life when it felt like they wouldn't survive the pain. Most can feel empathy for others whom may be struggling because we have ALL been there. We KNOW the pain of loss, heart-break, disappointments, and situations we simply cannot control.
In these moments, it is hard to know how to feel. We go through the stages of grief: denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance. In those moments, we often find ourselves blaming God or isolating ourselves from the world. We ask questions, such as "Why did this happen to me?", "What did I do wrong?", "Why now?", and so forth. How about this question, "If HE is such a loving God, then why do bad things happen?" ! We've all been there, right? You are walking through life minding your own business, then suddenly life hits. These moments leave us completely helpless and wrecked.
Unfortunately, I have felt this sort of grief and pain more times than I care to remember. It can be crippling. When life hurts, I find myself reflecting on my life, my relationships, my faith, and my relationship with the Lord. If I am being honest, I get angry with God, and I question him.
There are so many well-meaning people that say things like' "Don't ask why, but ask what?", and "When life is bad, God is good.", and "God is in control always." I have heard these all of my life, and I know the truth behind each one, but in those moments of indescribable pain, none of those adages seem to provide me comfort. In the depths of my mind, I know God is good, but he doesn't feel "good" right now. I know God is in control, but that makes me more bitter and angry with God. All those well-intentioned phrases actually made it hard for me to trust God. When you have experienced great loss, "God is in control" is not comforting, despite the truth behind the message.
But what now? If focusing on the goodness and authority of God doesn't help, what will? My husband, and pastor, recently told me that we should not be asking "why" or even "what", but we should be asking "where?" Where is God in the storm? Where is God in this story? Where is God in this moment?
I have recently been through a storm that has completely wrecked me. During the height of this storm, I found myself thinking, "This is it. Satan has finally found the one thing that would completely destroy me. He has won this time." But,oh the lies!! As I traveled through and continue to trudge through this storm, I have found that the question is, indeed, "where?"
When life hurts, where is God? The answer: He is here. When life hurts, he is right here, holding me, and wiping my tears. There are a multitude of scriptures that show us that God never leaves us, even in our pain. He knew life was going to be difficult. He knew that we would experience great pain in this broken world (the world he never intended for us btw); therefore, he tells us over and over that throughout the hurt, he will be near. He will be our comfort.
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." -Psalms 34:18
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." -Deuteronomy 3:16
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." -Deuteronomy 31:8
“He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.” —Job 5:11
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” —John 14:27
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” —Psalm 46:1
“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.” —John 16:33
In these verses, we are not promised that God will explain all the reasons why; they do not tell us that there will always be a great lesson to learn. These verses DO, however, tell us that despite ALL the pain and struggles, God promises to be near. He promises to comfort. He promises to provide peace. He has given us a hope for something greater to come. This hope propels us forward. The hope that, one day, all will be right and restored. One day, we will see the face of God. One day, there will be no more pain. We have hope because He IS who is says he is and we CAN trust him.
I have learned that when life hurts, I must keep my eyes on Him. I must rest in his presence. I must fall at his feet and simply... be. That is when true healing will occur... that is where we find our peace. When life hurts, we let Christ wrap is magnificent arms around us and be our comfort... nothing more is needed. I do not need to know why it happened or what amazing lesson I will learn because then the focus is on ME. Why did this happen to ME? What lesson is there for ME? What if we take the focus from ourselves and focus on who God is? I believe, then, we will find peace.
When life hurts... God is near. When life hurts.... God is our comfort. When life hurts.... God is our strength. What more do we need?
"Keep Singing" by MercyMe https://youtu.be/VT4NDeLgXFs
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