The question of whether God exists or how he interacts with us is a major topic in the 21st century. According to a Pew survey, the percent of Americans having no religious affiliation reached 23 percent in 2014. Among such “nones,” 33 percent said that they do not believe in God – an 11 percent increase since only 2007. Can you Imagine what the percentages are now? I can only believe that number is only increasing. If you and I are honest with ourselves we have likely entertained that thought no matter our years involved in the church.
As someone who has pastored for some time, I can say the last thing I would ever want to admit is that I too have struggled with the belief that my understanding of God's existence was not fully accurate. How could someone like me who has studied theology and been exposed around christianity all my life ever question my own faith?
Life presents many trials and these circumstances have a major impact in the way we see the world and ourselves. The way others treat us especially professed christians directly effects our perspective of what God is really like, where He is at, or what He is doing in our situation? We are constantly bombarded with the cliches that involve "The Lords will " that often confuse us of His love and presence. There is also the pain of addictions where one struggle for years to have the christian community make them believe that they can't love God while living with this problem. There is also diseases, famines, and other natural causes that are not inflicted by mankind that lead others to question God's reality.
As you know, this is a topic that is very common among christian circles yet hidden because the idea of sharing this confusion would somehow make you a weak christian or an unqualified leader. This is far from the truth and if we look to the scriptures, Job himself was righteous in Gods eyes, yet he misunderstood Gods love and mercy when he suffered. He even asked God to take his life away and thought God hated him for how he was suffering. Job's friends who claimed to follow God, also confused his path and perception of God's love claiming that it was his fault that he was suffering all this pain. While Job might not have questioned whether God existed, He definitely felt God had left him and was punishing him.
Job experienced all the confusing emotions that you and I face when we try to understand the complexity of our problems. As we look to Job's story we can see that God was not intimidated by Job's confusion. Job was able to be transparent yet still loved and guided by His creator. Job never received the answer to his suffering but God presented a small picture of His power and Sovereignty that left Job in a state of humility, which led him to trust God had his best interest in mind.
Maybe the same thing can be for us? Whenever life derails us, we can find a way to look at the complexity of the universe and see How God still takes care of it all. Maybe this simple reflection can build our confidence up and trust God has our best interest in mind. Maybe the more that we reflect on His goodness and power we will truly claim and believe the promise in Romans 8:28 where it says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
When all seems lost and your struggling to find hope in your struggle, loss or addiction just know He has not forgotten you. Even when you dont feel him close, His power reveals His goodness. His Word reminds us of those who endured similar trials and much worse overcome and experience the victory of eternal life with Him. One day God will wipe away all pain, confusion and suffering but as we press on look up to Him because your redemption is closer then you know.
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