How does a “Good God” watch his creation suffer?
How do you juxtapose faith in God and suffering?
How does a believer process suffering?
I’ve seen God heal people, but when I prayed for God to save my mum from that ailment, he didn’t. Why do some get healed and others do not?
deep sigh
Your feelings and questions are valid.
I might not have the answers to your questions, but I want you to know you’re seen.
Some of us grew up with the mentality of being unable to ask God questions.
Some of us were painted images of a God who seems far from his creation.
Let me say this: “The creator God is not disconnected from his creation”
It’s very okay not to be okay. It is very okay if you have these feelings.
Some of us have learned to see “feelings” as something that is against us, but what kind of God places something in us that is “against us”?
What if your feelings are channels through which the Father could reach you and vice versa?
How many of us have had times when our hearts were so heavy that we couldn’t articulate our thoughts? You just found yourself crying, and then it got to a point where you groaned. Does a scripture come to mind?
'Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. '
Romans 8:26
Do you remember when Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus and how he wept?
Sometimes, we read the scriptures void of emotions, but these were real people with real issues.
Mary and Martha lost their brother.
Judas was consumed with so much guilt. The man probably thought Jesus was going to escape the soldiers this time around(I hope you know that was not the 1st time they attempted to kill Jesus). I know we like to judge Judas a lot, but do you know what he would have felt remaining with the disciples? The stares and whispers…
It definitely must have been tough!
It must have been tough for Mary to be pregnant out of wedlock.
Joseph had it rough. His own brothers sold him out as a slave. As if that wasn’t enough, his master’s wife decided to play her cards, which landed him in prison. He even dreamt about one of the inmates getting released. Ah! God, what about me?
Naomi lost her whole family in a moment. Oh, that was hard!
Grief is tough…
One moment this person is here, the next moment, they are no more
What do I do with all these feelings?
The only thing that came to mind is to process them with God.
I know you’re probably angry at God even if you are not bold enough to voice it out. He never left you; that is why he highlighted this topic to me. He is for you. He is with you. Do you remember Jesus in the garden of gethsemane?
He was about to go through the toughest moment in his life, and those who were supposed to be a form of encouragement fell asleep. Jesus grieved too.
Have you ever thought about the burdens placed on the creator? Have you thought of what it takes to be the creator and how “challenging” it must be?
Some of us are in the adulting phase, and we are overwhelmed with the responsibilities
How much more the creator?
God feels too…
'For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. '
Hebrews 4:15
He wants to process the suffering with you…
Please allow him in.
God is for you. God is with you. God is in you
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It was 2022. I was in a very dark place. I was angry and disappointed.
It was so bad that I couldn’t pray for days. I’ll just wake up, eat, binge-watch a series and sleep. I was drowning, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t ready to talk to God.
After some days, I couldn’t continue. I felt so empty.
I joined a meeting that helped in a way. I decided to journal. Oh, I wept a lot in that season. Kai! I was deeply hurt. I always tell people to stop using “tongues” to try to manipulate God. If you’re hurt, let him know. He is your Father.
Listen to me: God isn’t scared of answering your questions.
You might not get the answers you want to hear, but you’ll get an answer.
In the words of Chandler Moore:
I've learned how to suffer with Him
In fellowship, join Him in the fellowship of his suffering
My process of lement
My process of suffering with Him
Being able to feel my feelings but not lean on them
Father, I thank you for allowing me to have feelings
I pray that the comfort only which the Father can give is bestowed upon you.
God sees.