Where is God when you are hurting?

Kathryn Johnston  

Sometimes we find when we need God the most, he seems to be absent in our lives. At times of hurt, when the unexpected happens, this is when we need the comfort of God the most. Kathryn Johnston tells us how we can increase our faith and trust God in our situation.

There are times when all of us have experienced hurt. We cry out to God, only to find emptiness and loneliness. Where is God we cry? We ask the question: if God really exists and he is a loving, caring God, then why would this happen to me? All you can feel is the pain in your situation, the loss, the grief and the hurt. I have been in many such situations. I have even worked it all out for God and told him how he can fix it; how he can make it better and even then he seems to take no notice. I have discovered that God is intent on doing it his way. I may be at a complete loss to understand what is going on, however I know without doubt God is at work behind the scenes; he sees the bigger picture and knows the best way out of our hurt.

Few of us escape sorrow in our lives. It can be unexpected and the hurt and pain can seem insurmountable. There are many circumstances that cause us to hurt; the loss of a loved child or family member in tragic circumstances; the failure of another round of IVF treatment; a relationship that seems to be irretrievably broken down; an addiction of a loved one, or an addiction or depression you are struggling with—you are hurting and you are hurting yourself. In the middle of your situation you ask, where is God when I am hurting? If God loves me so much why is this happening to me?

Have faith in God

You may think you have no faith and ask the question: What is faith anyway? You may be struggling with holding on to your faith in God, or perhaps faith is all you have? When we put our faith in God, circumstances change. Without faith it is impossible to please God, so whatever your situation, put your faith in God. Let him take care of your cares, anxieties and your hurt.

As believers in Jesus Christ, when we put our faith in God, he promises he is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans, (Ro. 8:28 TLB). But often we want God to fit into our plans when all the time he is saying: I have the best plan for your life, I know you more than anyone else, I have the hairs on your head numbered and I am with you in this situation. God promises he will strengthen you, he will help you and he will hold you up with his victorious right hand, (Isa. 41:10, NRSV). God holds the victory for your life in his hand. Good will come out of your situation, if only you can put your faith in God.

Faith the size of a mustard seed

It is God’s promises we can hold on to when times are difficult, when we are hurting. It may seem impossible God will bring good out of your situation, but he will. We have an exceptional and extraordinary God, ready to take care of our every need. Nothing is impossible to God and with faith all things are possible. All you need is faith as small as a mustard seed, (Mt. 17:20). So take a walk and buy a packet of mustard seeds. Place one on some tape and place it inside the cover of your Bible or journal. Let it be a reminder that with this amount of faith you can move a mountain. Look at it twice a day, read a few passages from your Bible out aloud, allow faith to grow in your life. Wait for God to change your circumstances and heal your hurt.

God is our hiding place

What do we do and where do we go? We run straight into the arms of a loving God. God is our hiding place; he will protect us from trouble and surround us with songs of victory. (Ps. 32:7 TLB). If you do not believe in God, or doubt God really wants to help you, this is the time to re-evaluate, to rethink your situation. God thinks very differently to us. His word says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,” (Is. 55:8-9).

It is time to take your thinking up to a new level with God. God knows you are hurting and he wants to respond. All you have to do is take that first step and pray a simple prayer. Talk to God and tell him about what is going on. Seek his help. Jesus is our example—when he was overwhelmed with sorrow, he prayed (Mt. 26:36, 39). God wants us to pray. In the middle of suffering we are called to prayer. It is an opportunity to place our needs before God, a God who is trustworthy and true to his promises, (Ps. 119:50).

There is a season for everything

You may be hurting and weeping today but there will come a day when you will laugh, (Ecc. 3:4). There is a season for everything. There is a time to mourn and yet some time, in the future, there will be a day, when you will be joyful—there will come a time to dance. In the meantime, if you are overwhelmed with your circumstances seek out someone to share your hurt. It may be a well-known cliché but a sorrow shared, is a sorrow halved. Sorrow and hurt may seem to be all consuming now but look forward to a new day—the promise of God; for rejoicing comes in the morning, (Ps. 30:5).

God knows you are hurting and he wants to respond. All you have to do is take that first step and pray a simple prayer, talk to God and tell him about what is going on and seek his help.

All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed.

Kathryn Johnston
Pastor at New Life Church, Maleny