Text Box: GOSPEL LIGHT - WOMAN TO WOMAN - July 2000 STANDING ON THE ROCK Written By: Judy E. Denby Some days I hate to hear or read the news. There seems to be so much pain everywhere, so many people who are harmed or killed by events and catastrophes that are beyond their control. Innocent children are murdered. High schoolers shoot their peers. Accidents leave people severely disabled. Young men and women are struck down by cancer, leaving behind grieving families. And misfortune often seems to surround God’s very own. The question through the ages has been why bad things happen to good people, and I have no doubt that each of us has been personally acquainted with someone who has undergone some tragedy - perhaps even you have had do deal with one. It can seem so horribly unfair, leaving us to question why. Even worse is when we start to question God’s role in all of this. We wonder where He is when we undergo trials. And we echo David’s cry in Psalm 10:1 ”Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Some people believe that God uses tribulations to punish us, but I think otherwise. In John 9, for example, we read about the blind man. The disciples questioned Jesus as to who had sinned, that he was born this way, and Jesus responded that no one had; the man was blind so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. I believe that is the reason we are permitted to undergo the trials that this sinful world in which we live forces upon us. God allows suffering to take place for His own reasons, which we might never know before we reach heaven. The devil is also able to put suffering in our lives, and does so knowing he can tempt Christians to believe that God has deserted them in their hour of need. All of us must face trials, and the strength of our faith plays a large role in how we deal with them. I often wonder how non-believers manage to cope, for if I did not have the reassurance of a loving, omnipotent God on my side when things became tough, where would I find hope? In fact, I have come to recognize that, as much as I hate them, I need to be thankful for my problems even as I pray for God to relieve me of them. They keep me going back to the Source of my strength. I confess that when life starts to get too easy, I am tempted to have confidence in my own self-sufficiency, and occasionally it takes misfortune to bring me running back to my Father for comfort, assistance, and guidance. It may be difficult to resist the temptation to compare our respective lots with those of others. How many times have you looked at someone whose life seemed much better than yours, and thought, ’It’s always so easy for her. She should be happy. She’s never had to deal with ______(fill in the blank with whatever applies: an abusive husband, a tight budget, a rebellious teenager, a sick parent, a demanding boss…)’? I have a non-Christian friend who has truly led what to me is a charmed life. She’s never had to worry about money, and succeeds in everything she tries. Sometimes I used to angrily ask God why He blessed her with so much while I, who faithfully served Him, had to work so hard for everything. As I have matured in my faith, however, it has become apparent that I am the one being blessed. While she has grown dependent on money and power (and further from God), I have learned to trust God through anything. It has taken me years to see this! - and when trials and suffering arrives, it may be a long, long time before we see any reason for them, if ever. I have clung to the words of Jesus in John 16:33b “... In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”. Note that He doesn’t say that you might have tribulation; but that it is a sure thing. In his book Strength For The Storm, Richard Exley offers counsel and encouragement to those dealing with storms. He presents 4 life lessons to enable us to get through. #1: Storms are inevitable (see John 16:33b). #2: Be prepared. If we walk daily with God, even when the day is sunny, we will increase our knowledge of Him, and knowing Him will enable us to trust Him when the storm strikes. #3: Help is near even when we cannot see it. Man may desert us, but God is always near. (Matthew 28:20 “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ”) #4: The Lord always comes to us in the midst of the storm. As I mentioned earlier, sometimes I have to be reminded that my own strength isn’t good enough, but only after I am exhausted am I open to accepting God’s help. Now, I must confess that Nahum is not one of the books of the Bible that I read frequently, but the seventh verse of chapter one remains a great comfort for me when life gets rough: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him”. When troubles, trials or tribulations strike, remember God. Be like the wise man of Matthew 7:24-27. With your house set on the Rock (God) you will hear the thunder, see the lightning, and maybe even get soaking wet in the storm—but your foundation will never collapse, and eventually the sun will shine again. Believe it.