Where is God in the Midst of Suffering?
Have you ever wondered where God was when you were suffering?
I know I have.
Even more so when one of my kids was suffering. No one wants to see their children go through hardships, especially when it’s things outside of their control.
In the midst of those situations, we often begin to doubt. Not necessarily that God exists. But that He loves us, cares for us, and is working on our behalf.
Where is God in the Midst of Suffering?
This week I read a story where a mom describes the suffering her children have been through and how doubt began to control her thoughts. She shares bits and pieces of her battle and how God ultimately used the suffering to expose doubts she had about Him.
I can relate, can you?
I was reminded of just how much I’ve let doubt creep in, when I read this excerpt from her post:
It wasn’t long before it was clear that I did have doubt.
I never doubted that Jesus was ABLE to prevent our children’s pain.
I never doubted He was ABLE to heal them at any time.
We prayed and prayed. Both children were healed in His unique way, and in His time. But not in OUR Time.
So I doubted His love.
For our son. For our daughter. For our family.
For ME.
We placed our hope and faith in Him in our distress and didn’t get the response we desired. We prayed boldly. We trusted.
We pleaded and cried out before Him as we held our sweet hurting babies.
And for a time that seemed far too long, they kept on hurting.
And doubt creeped in.
Elaine Stores
It’s so easy to forget how much we are loved in the midst of suffering. When we believe for something for so long, like Elaine, we grow weary and doubt can begin to manifest and grow.
Thanks for hosting! I always find encouraging posts here!
Thanks for linking up each week, Becky!!
Loved the honesty in this post. It is so difficult to watch our children suffer, and when our prayers are not answered exactly as we would like. I have found God is right there, but it is still hard. He will never leave us nor forsake us but take every step with us. It reminds me of darker days when I relied on him for every single step as I approached a treatment center where my child was residing. Thank you for the post and the linkup,
It really is difficult to see our kids suffer. But you are so right, Maree Dee…God is right there with us! Thank you for linking up every week.
Thank you so much for the feature! This is such an encouragement to me today – a day where I was feeling discouraged. God’s timing is perfect and your kind words were an affirmation of His love today. Thank you. Love this linkup and all the great content and bloggers I’m finding through here. Thank you for hosting!
I love when God shows up in that way! Thank you for an encouraging post!