Sometime the circumstances that surround us leave us asking, “Where’s God?” When we face loss, disease, repeated difficulties, senseless suffering, and the like we wonder what is the point. We question does a God of love really exist?
This past week Minnesota experienced tragic violence and loss of life. The heartbreak of this left many of us shaken, angry and afraid. A friend reached out sharing their pain and struggle with everything surrounding this situation and then asked, “Where’s God?”
I took some time to formulate my response. This is a question I have asked myself in many situations but specifically in processing childhood trauma. When someone is sexually abused under the age of four, it is hard to understand why God would allow such suffering. Why wasn’t I protected? It was through the help of a gifted therapist that I was able to see and understand that Jesus was with me in the midst of this. I wasn’t abandoned. I wasn’t being punished. Jesus helped me survive, move forward and eventually heal.
We are not promised a life without suffering. God does promise to be with us in the midst of all circumstances even the worst we can imagine. Psalm 23 is a beautiful reminder of that promise.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. (Psalm 23:4-6 NIV).
When life is hard and tragedy strikes, it is common to ask, “Where’s God?” The challenge is to recognize the Presence of God in the moment. See God in the people around us. See God in kindness. See God.
Have you ever asked, “Where’s God?” Where did you find the answer? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.