One of the toughest parts of pastoral ministry for me is to find words of comfort and encouragement for those who experience suffering, sickness and loss. The question of “why” was my family member taken away from me by this tragic accident, horrible sickness or senseless act of violence, most often finds no answer.
When Billy Graham addressed the families of victims after the Oklahoma City bombing, he spoke about how tragedies can affect people differently. He observed that for some, suffering provokes profound anger at God, others, while in the midst of grief, still cling to God. Billy Graham prayed for both sets of people that day that they would not let bitterness and poison creep into their souls but rather turn in faith to God, even if they did not understand. He said: “It is better to face something like this with God than without him.”
Just in the last few weeks, I had the opportunity to test the truth of this statement myself. My father was diagnosed with a very malignant, aggressive cancerous tumor, my mother broke her leg and my brother suffered excruciating, debilitating back pain, while I had to undergo surgery for an existing condition. I found that although it can be hard to retain hope and faith in the midst of hardships, it helps if one has a history with God. Let me illustrate: If my wife leaves me alone to do some quick shopping, saying that she will be back in a few minutes but then does not come back for hours, I could be tempted to believe the worst. While I might have thoughts of worry, I continue to believe the best about my wife. Because I know what kind of person she is, I know she has not run off to leave me. She loves me, she cares about me, and she lives up to her commitments. Therefore, if she comes back later than promised, she has a good reason.
As Christians, we can stay connected with God during times of suffering, because we are convinced that God loves us and is committed to us!
When I began to recall how my family and I have experienced God’s goodness, his presence and comfort in difficult times of the past, how He proofed himself trustworthy over and over again in our lives, my heart was freshly filled with gratitude for his love and care. My trust that He would be with us through this challenge as well was renewed. Of course, we do not have to depend on experience alone, His written Word assures us of His love and commitment to us. I want to encourage you to today to put your trust in Him!
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