Where is God When Life Sucks?
March 1, 2012 —
You’ve just been laid off… A loved-one has died… The doctor tells you it’s cancer… Where is God when life sucks? It’s really easy to be angry with God. Haven’t you tried to be good and do right? Isn’t God supposed to be loving and all-powerful? So what gives? After all, you know scumbags who are doing very well, untouched by death and enjoying good health. Maybe it doesn’t pay to be good. Maybe there is no God. Or if there is a God; maybe I’ll show Him a thing or two for not having my back!
No, you’re not the only person to have those thoughts. King David experienced some of your same frustrations and expressed it in the Psalms. One is Psalm 73: “I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles; they’re not plagued with problems. Does God even know what’s happening? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. I tried to understand. Then I went to the sanctuary and understood the destiny of the wicked. I realized that my heart was bitter. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart.”
It’s OK to be mad at God. He became human in Jesus so He could understand how you feel. He prayed to avoid dying on the cross. Then he cried out from the cross before his death, asking why God had forsaken him. Where is God when life sucks? He’s right beside you saying, “I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” (Romans 8:38) If you can be patient and trust Him, He will turn your mourning into dancing!
See you in church Sunday!
Grace & blessings,
Pastor Bob
