April 2024
Steve Russo
There are times when we all want to ask God what – and why – He allowed something to happen. It’s a common response when a major natural disaster happens someplace in the world. And it’s often compounded with the unnatural disaster of after-effects that were not expected to occur – whether on a large scale or in our personal lives.
How can we explain the unexplainable? Is there a way to make sense of the catastrophic suffering experienced by so many? These are some of the oldest, most common questions that seem to describe a hunger we have for faith in someone or something bigger than ourselves.
A paradox of sorts happens in times like these. There is a cry of “God – what were You thinking?” and another –often with the same lips – “God, we beg You to help us!” The answer is a mystery – an exercise in faith. The Bible provides us with a number of things to consider in this faith journey. Think about this verse in Isaiah 55:8. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (NLT)
God is infinite. We are not. He has a plan and purpose for our lives – that includes tragedy. The hard part for us is wrestling with the unexplainable, in a complex situation, with a finite mind. We have the option to keep asking God ‘why’ and try to figure things out on our own. Or we can decide to ask God ‘what next’ and put our hope in Him.
That’s why the message of the Gospel is so important. An early follower of Jesus wrote his letter to other Christians who were struggling under the pressures and adversities of life. “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation.” 1 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
We can live with great hope – in spite of what’s going on in our life or in the world – by putting our faith in the One who conquered death. This confidence is based on what God has done for us through Jesus.
This hope is not only for the future, but it begins the moment we surrender our lives to Jesus.
