When tragedy strikes, it is sometimes hard to see God. We wonder where He was when the terrible times transpired.
He knew.
He cried with us.
We are assured in the Psalms that He holds every tear we cry in His hand. He is not only catching and collecting our tears, He is catching and collecting us.
When we feel our hearts shattering and our faith falling; He’s there to comfort us with a peace than passes understanding.
When our minds can’t comprehend the countless calamities nor understand the world in which we live: He’s holding us.
We do not have a high priest who doesn’t know what we endure, how heavy our hearts feel, or how some days we really just want to give up, because He does.
He knows.
He loves us.
He wants to hold and comfort us.
He desires that our knee-jerk reaction to calamity is we come running, crying, even yelling to Him. We can be open and honest with our feelings. We can ask why. We can cry out to Him saying, “Please get me through this moment.”
And the next.
And the next.
We do not hold a faith dear to make an easy life. Instead we hold our faith dear because we could not possibly do life any other way.
This world is tough, torturous, and terrible at times. God can still be seen in the midst of even those moments too. He’s often quiet in the chaos, allowing us the opportunity to choose to seek Him, or be overwhelmed by the events.
He never pushes in. He allows us to choose when to break out.
As our hearts are breaking, allow yourself to feel the emotions. Choose how you will spend that pent-up energy those emotions elicit.
Sometimes I cry out in fear and anger.
Sometimes I pull myself together and go for a run.
Sometimes I collapse in a heap and allow the Holy Spirit to wash over me as I pour out my heart in incomplete sentences, mumbled words and scattered thoughts. And that’s OK. Because even when we don’t know exactly what to pray for, we are promised that the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with words and groans on our behalf.
It’s ok when we can’t comprehend what is happening. God doesn’t expect us to understand it all. We are human. We are not God.
But God is. And, in the words of Lysa TerKeurst, He is good at being God.
He wants to comfort us.
I pray wherever you are today, whatever your day holds, you feel His presence, His comfort, and His love.
And, if you can, would you please join me in praying for His peace which passes understanding to descend on our world, our hearts, and in our minds.
Lord God, Thank You for being God. You know more that we will ever know. You see Your plans. Plans which are good. You may not have authored current pain, but You promise to bring us through it. Please help me to trust You in the hard times. Carry me through waters which my heart balks at crossing. Please remind me of Your characteristics and of Your promises. Thank you for always being there. You know, even when I may never know nor understand. Please help me to see You in today and to reflect You to others how are so desperately hurting. In Jesus’ name, Amen.