Where is God when I Need Him?

Many people accuse Christians of "copping out" when asked why bad things happen to good people or why God doesn't seem to answer prayer when someone is hurting. They receive answers like "it'll work out in the end" and "God works all things for good." Those are very true but what do they really mean?

Indeed, what's God doing for the little boy who keeps asking God to stop the man who's abusing him? For what can the woman whose husband has abandoned her and her children count on God to do? What will God do for the desperate Father who has to watch as his drug addicted prostitute daughter wastes away?

Does God answer the teenage girl who cries out why was her little brother run-over and killed? What about the Christians who're being persecuted in countries overseas-what's God doing for them?

Time heals most things but is that all God gives us? Does he do anything else during the hurting and healing times?

Those are all honest, and difficult, questions. There are no answers that will satisfy the human desire for comfort instead of truth. A major transformation that takes place in Christians is a transformation of the mind; a love of truth over comfort.

Nevertheless, does the Bible give us any answers? Let's find out.

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Jesus told his disciples and us that we're going to have trouble in this world. Christ didn't come to stop the troubles of this life. Yet, in the midst of the trouble we are given peace-deep down peace that we know someday all will be well. See the next passage...

1 Corinthians 15:19

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

If we live and think as if Christianity is just another "religion" to help us through this life, to help us feel good on Sunday, to have nice little things to talk about, or cutesy t-shirts and bumper stickers then we're missing the point entirely. Christ came to reconcile mankind to God, to begin an eternal transformation of the human race, and to offer eternal life to all who choose to accept it.

Sure, there are "benefits" in this life-primarily hope but the hope is for eternity not for getting what we want out of this life. Christians are to be "salt" and "light" to a rotting and dark world. In times of trouble our greatest encouragement to other people is that we may face the troubles without bitterness toward God and other people. And remember, troubles are going to come...

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

If Jesus is truly Lord of our life than when trouble comes we have him to turn to. Oh, we'll hurt, we'll suffer, we'll cry but if we throw ourselves at his mercy, if we say "I don't understand what or why this is happening but I trust you Lord" then we'll not be crushed, we'll not fall into despair, we're not abandoned, and we're not destroyed. Remember, every promise is conditional-trust in the Lord...

Psalm 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Have you ever been truly broken and contrite? Have you ever seen such a person? When a person has been broken and his/her heart becomes contrite; all personal preferences, opinions, and desires disappear. Pride, selfishness, and the lust for this life flies out the window. All that a broken and contrite person can do is fall down before God and cry for mercy.

God will give attention to such a person. God can work with such a person. God will rebuild a broken spirit. The Psalms give us descriptions of a broken and contrite person. Consider his cry to God...

Psalm 71:20

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

His days were filled with "many and bitter" troubles. Did he feel them? Yes, he suffered, he cried in agony, he wished for death but in the midst of it all he kept his eyes on God because he knew that God honors the contrite heart and will restore "life." Best of all, God never abandons his children...

Matthew 28:20

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

If you're not experiencing heart transformation through Jesus Christ please call upon God and say "Lord, I am yours, please save me."

Now, turn to a trusted Christian friend or relative and learn how to walk with Jesus in everyday life.

If You Want To Learn More About How To Have Peace With God, Contact One Of These Organizations...

• Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

• The Navigators

• Campus Crusade For Christ