I turned to a news channel this morning to catch the latest developments of the "Tragedy in Tucson." Last Saturday, at a political rally, a gunman opened fire, leaving six dead, and others critically wounded. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head, and is in intensive care fighting for her life. Among those whose lives were taken that day, a nine year old girl, born on September 11, 2001. In the newscast, we were reminded that today is the one year anniversary of the devastating earth quake in Haiti. So much suffering to begin 2010, and now this year has already seen it's share also.
During these times, Christians, theologians, agnostics and atheists alike as the same question..."Where is God?" What does tragedy tell us concerning a loving, caring, heavenly Father? Perhaps Phillip Yancy said it best when he wrote in the title of his best-selling book, "Where is God when it hurts?"
We ask those questions to find comfort in our pain. I have asked men and women way smarter than me those questions. I have searched the scriptures. I am yet to find an answer that dispels grief and pain, and puts an end to suffering. I am beginning to think that answer doesn't exist.
As a matter of fact, the Bible promises suffering. Jesus said, "In this world, you will have trouble." Jesus says suffering is a given. It is going to happen. Don't expect anything else. Believing in a loving, caring God doesn't exempt anyone from suffering. But the Bible does give us something that is to be greatly valued, it gives us a purpose in suffering.
Romans 8 gives us the promise that God can take our pain and grief and redeem it for something that brings healing and hope. If we will open our hearts to Him, God can actually work in the midst of suffering and bring great healing and purpose. In verse 28, it tells us that God will work during suffering to bring about good. Mentally circle that word: good. He has the power to redeem such things and use them for our benefit and His glory.
But the greatest promise of that chapter is found in verses 38 and 39 when it tells us that nothing that can happen to us in suffering that can separate us from God's love. God's love is the foundational truth in this universe, and it is important we don't lose sight of that in the middle of pain.
Jesus did promise that in this world we will have trouble. But read the rest of the verse:
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33 (NIV)
During these times, Christians, theologians, agnostics and atheists alike as the same question..."Where is God?" What does tragedy tell us concerning a loving, caring, heavenly Father? Perhaps Phillip Yancy said it best when he wrote in the title of his best-selling book, "Where is God when it hurts?"
We ask those questions to find comfort in our pain. I have asked men and women way smarter than me those questions. I have searched the scriptures. I am yet to find an answer that dispels grief and pain, and puts an end to suffering. I am beginning to think that answer doesn't exist.
As a matter of fact, the Bible promises suffering. Jesus said, "In this world, you will have trouble." Jesus says suffering is a given. It is going to happen. Don't expect anything else. Believing in a loving, caring God doesn't exempt anyone from suffering. But the Bible does give us something that is to be greatly valued, it gives us a purpose in suffering.
Romans 8 gives us the promise that God can take our pain and grief and redeem it for something that brings healing and hope. If we will open our hearts to Him, God can actually work in the midst of suffering and bring great healing and purpose. In verse 28, it tells us that God will work during suffering to bring about good. Mentally circle that word: good. He has the power to redeem such things and use them for our benefit and His glory.
But the greatest promise of that chapter is found in verses 38 and 39 when it tells us that nothing that can happen to us in suffering that can separate us from God's love. God's love is the foundational truth in this universe, and it is important we don't lose sight of that in the middle of pain.
Jesus did promise that in this world we will have trouble. But read the rest of the verse:
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33 (NIV)
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