"Where Are You God?"
/This title may come as a surprise, yet many have asked this over the past year. Today, I am sharing a presentation by Dave & Ann Wilson from Family Life on this question that also connects with our past three messages. They first comment on our tendency to believe that everything in our lives, including marriage, will be easier if we just “add a little Jesus”. But the truth is, even faithful followers will experience “Valleys” of pain and suffering.
The Wilsons use Elijah’s story (read 1 Kings 17) as an example. He warned Israel’s evil King Ahab of a devastating drought. Though this caused Elijah to suffer and hide, he continued to trust in what God was doing. And God provided, initially delivering food by ravens and water from a brook. Later, God orchestrated Elijah meeting a widow. When he asked for water and food, he quickly discovered she lost all hope - she was about to prepare her last meal and die! Elijah however told her God’s instructions and to trust in what she could not see. In doing so, they were miraculously blessed with unending food. This story has several key takeaways:
Both Elijah and the widow had opportunities to wonder “Where are you God?”
Notice how God can meet us through others.
When struggling, we need to ask both God and trusted others for help!
Learn to trust what God says; not what we see! If we only look at what we see, we will often lose hope.
God did not abandon Elijah, nor will He abandon us!
Even Christians sometimes ask “Why are we struggling?” in our marriage, our job, or other areas of life. During a difficult season, we may wonder if God sees our pain — or even if our marriage will make it. God does not always work in spectacular ways like the story of Elijah, but the truth is, He is always there. When we are in the valley, we often don’t feel His presence — and sadly, some walk away because of that. We need to trust God during our trials because “He often does His best work in the valleys.” Our greatest growth frequently comes from our most difficult seasons because God can use that pain to build us for something better.
Here are three thoughts about “pain in our lives”:
Our pain invites God’s presence. We think He doesn’t see us, but He is always there and at work. Trust Him!
God can use our pain not only to help us, but others as well…if we let Him. Never underestimate the pain around you — a lot of people choose to suffer in silence. But likewise, never underestimate the power of Jesus to turn that pain into something powerful!
“Our pain invites God’s purpose.” God can use it to point to His purpose in your life. Embrace it to help others! (See 2 Corinthians 1:3–4)
Every marriage will experience moments “in the valley.” When yours does, resist the despair you see before you. Instead of asking “Where are you God?”, know that He is waiting for you to seek Him, trust Him, and follow His plan to lift your marriage out of the valley!