This is a question that is often asked and is also a question that is not easily answered. Ever since the plane high-jacking incident of 9/11 happened, I have wrestled with this question. This is a question that was raised last weekend as a part of the TV coverage of the Aurora massacre. Why does God allow this to happen?
Furthermore, each of us know of situations that hit a little closer to home. For example, I know of a couple families in our church who are dealing with husband – wife separations and possible divorce. There are several people in our church who are battling cancer. Joanna and I have been through a crisis this year that I have written about in a previous blog as our son fell into a fire and burnt his hand and then our van broke down.
I honestly admit that I don’t have all the answers. I wish that there was some sort of formula for dealing with this issue. Volumes have been written on this subject. But, I do want to share with you what the Lord has spoken to me as I have wrestled with this question. If anything, I want to bring this topic to the forefront of your thoughts as it is relevant to what is happening in our world.
First of all, I have understood that it is alright to get upset with God. As I read Psalm 10, I can just sense the anger that David had because God seemed distant. He felt as if the wicked were getting away with too much. David was a man after God’s heart and even he was upset with God. God is big enough to handle our anger. Anger is a part of every relationship, although anger is often based on misunderstandings. We must deal with our anger appropriately.
Secondly, bad things happen because there is evil in the world. Ever since Adam and Eve fell in sin, humanity was knocked over the head with the sinful nature. God had two options when He created us. He could have created us in some form of robot that would be holy all the time, quick to worship Him, and quick to do what’s right, but with no real choices. Instead He chose to give us a free will which allows us to choose between good and evil. God hates sin. God is just and will punish those who do evil. When Cain killed his brother, he was punished and was never able to settle down in a land. Unfortunately, many of the tragedies that we face today are a direct result of the sinful state of our world.
Our tendency is to settle on a reason for everything that happens. Unfortunately, that is not always possible, and forcing a fake reason doesn’t do us any good. It’s so easy to get consumed with the here and the now, that we often forget that God is in control of the big picture. Our lives are like a piece to a puzzle, we get to see some of the picture, some of the colors, but we don’t see how it all fits together. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.” It is so easy to want answers right away, but God wants us to rest in the fact that He is in control. God is sovereign and we can rest in that fact. He says in his word, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Even though God allows bad to happen, we can rest assure that He is in control.
As we seek God in regards to this area, may He grant us wisdom. The people in our community have questions. If you haven’t been cornered on this issue, you will very soon. I trust the Lord will use you to help frustrated people see the light of Jesus and embrace His love during these rocky roads of life. I leave you with this, James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
From the Heart of Hartley
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Blessings in the midst of trials
In my last blog post I shared about our recent trial and outlined my theology on suffering and the soverignty of God, that God has a reason for everything we face in this life. In the middle of a difficult trial, the Lord met me. Not only did I receive His strength, but the Lord whispered to me, "prepare for the blessing." I felt as if the Lord was telling me that He was about to overwhelm me with gifts. I took Him at His word, but I had no idea what we were in for.
As we were getting settled into our hospital room (for Luke's burn), we remembered that my brother's Mom and Dad in-law live in the Minneapolis suburb of Shoreview. I quickly got on the phone with them. Let me just say, my brother married into a wonderful family. They came to visit us that night in our hospital room. They brought love as if we were a part of their family. In addition they brought Joanna some clothes to make our stay more comfortable. Before they left, we prayed together and believed God to provide healing for Luke and peace for our family. God brought us peace as we rested that night in hospital chairs.
Early the next morning, I started thinking about our van. How would we get it fixed? If you didn't read my last blog post, our van was at a Minneapolis mechanic with a broken timing belt with estimated repairs at $2,000. My first call was to a friend in Verndale, who is also a mechanic. He had already been thinking about our van as someone in our church had told him of our situation. He worked it out for our van to be towed from the mechanic in Minneapolis to his garage in Verndale. What a blessing!
The next chore would be to find a ride back to Verndale. After a few phone calls, I talked with one of my youth sponsors who's brother happened to be driving to the cities that day for a high school graduation. He was going to be driving back with his family and wouldn't need his truck. Praise the Lord! All we would need to do was to find a ride to the church where the graduation was being held. That was easy because the church where the graduation was held is the same church where my brother's in-laws worship on Sundays. They picked us up when we were discharged from the hospital and then dropped us off at the church. What a blessing to be able to get back home without having to rent a car! When we pulled up to our house a friend had left their car for us to borrow until our van was fixed.
Fast forward to just this past week. The Lord continues to pour out His blessings. We received a large check in the mail. We also found out that our van has been repaired as a gift to our family. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! To God be the glory, great things He has done! ...and I haven't even mentioned the cards, emails and phone calls!!!
Where's God? There's God! So often, people allow the trials of life to get them bent out of shape and if only we could see from God's perspective. He is pushing us to press into Him deeper. He desires for us to be refined in the fire. He is developing perseverance. In the midst of my trial, the Lord worked.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
As we were getting settled into our hospital room (for Luke's burn), we remembered that my brother's Mom and Dad in-law live in the Minneapolis suburb of Shoreview. I quickly got on the phone with them. Let me just say, my brother married into a wonderful family. They came to visit us that night in our hospital room. They brought love as if we were a part of their family. In addition they brought Joanna some clothes to make our stay more comfortable. Before they left, we prayed together and believed God to provide healing for Luke and peace for our family. God brought us peace as we rested that night in hospital chairs.
Early the next morning, I started thinking about our van. How would we get it fixed? If you didn't read my last blog post, our van was at a Minneapolis mechanic with a broken timing belt with estimated repairs at $2,000. My first call was to a friend in Verndale, who is also a mechanic. He had already been thinking about our van as someone in our church had told him of our situation. He worked it out for our van to be towed from the mechanic in Minneapolis to his garage in Verndale. What a blessing!
The next chore would be to find a ride back to Verndale. After a few phone calls, I talked with one of my youth sponsors who's brother happened to be driving to the cities that day for a high school graduation. He was going to be driving back with his family and wouldn't need his truck. Praise the Lord! All we would need to do was to find a ride to the church where the graduation was being held. That was easy because the church where the graduation was held is the same church where my brother's in-laws worship on Sundays. They picked us up when we were discharged from the hospital and then dropped us off at the church. What a blessing to be able to get back home without having to rent a car! When we pulled up to our house a friend had left their car for us to borrow until our van was fixed.
Fast forward to just this past week. The Lord continues to pour out His blessings. We received a large check in the mail. We also found out that our van has been repaired as a gift to our family. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! To God be the glory, great things He has done! ...and I haven't even mentioned the cards, emails and phone calls!!!
Where's God? There's God! So often, people allow the trials of life to get them bent out of shape and if only we could see from God's perspective. He is pushing us to press into Him deeper. He desires for us to be refined in the fire. He is developing perseverance. In the midst of my trial, the Lord worked.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
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