At the moment of birth we start asking questions. When … where … what …and the big one – why. We cry when we are hungry letting the world know we want food NOW. We ask questions of our family, teachers, and friends constantly … When are we going to get there? Where are we? What is this? Questions never end. When I was a youngster I somehow believed once I became an adult the questions would stop, since I would be older, wiser, and know everything. The truth is as I grew older, that’s when the questions really began.
The big question for everyone seems to be “why.” Everyday we hear about senseless acts of violence, catastrophes beyond the realm of human understanding. The more often these occur, I ask “why did You allow this to happen?,” “why me, Lord?” and finally, “why not me, Lord?” With each upheaval, my faith is tested as well as my level of trust.
Whether it’s a divorce, a lost job, debilitating or life-threatening health problems, or some other heartbreaking trial, we all face tests. It is completely natural to ask why God would allow something so painful to happen, why there is so much pain in this world, and why you have been affected while others seem to have it easy. Simply put, I don’t have the answers, but I do know who does.
I place my trust in one of God’s principles learned from scripture — God is in control. We all want gorgeous mountaintop experiences when everything is going well, but, realistically, those moments are few. In fact, scripture says in John 16:33 that the opposite is true: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” No matter how long you live, it’s guaranteed there will be hard times. The good news is Christ has overcome the world and He is in control.
Another principle is God promises that good will result from your suffering. Billy Graham once said, “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.” If you know anything about fruit, it is grown through hard work and belief a good rain will come. Both make us cry out to Jesus — the mountaintops make us praise God — the valleys make us cling to God. Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Another principle is God walks beside you. He has in my own life. I don’t realize it until I look back and see God’s hand in my life. John 11 tells the story of Jesus’ friend Lazarus, who became ill and died. When Jesus arrived four days later, everybody—especially Lazarus’ sisters Mary and Martha—were mourning, and Jesus mourned as well. John 11:33 says, “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled”. Jesus wept alongside Mary and Martha as He walked with them through their valley of sorrow, even though He knew what He was about to do. The tears turned to joy when Jesus miraculously raised Lazarus to life. Just like in this story, God doesn’t abandon you in the midst of trouble.
The last principle is a good one — God promises eternity for His children. Heaven waits on the other side of the painful realities of this world. Revelations 21:4 says: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” No more night, no more pain, no more tears!
The bottom line? God has provided a lot of answers to our questions. It’s up to us to put our faith in them.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdinistries@gmail.com. Visit her at the Second Mile blog at https://debbyefurd.com.
Tagged: grief and loss, Jesus
