Where Is God When It Hurts?

Guest column from Rev. Michael Brooks of Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster AL

The late Clayton Sullivan wrote about Mrs. Howard, a widow, and her adult son, Johnny Fred. Johnny Fred's body was twisted like a gnarled tree. He was cognitively challenged, slurred his speech and could only sell peanuts on the street corner to make a little money. 

Mrs. Howard asked, "Preacher, why did God make Johnny Fred to be the way he is?"

Sullivan said this was the end of his faith journey since he could no longer handle "hurting in living."

We've certainly seen much hurt in our world recently, from wars in Ukraine and the Mideast to murders in Charlotte and Orem, Utah. Our faith is strained when we suffer and when we see others suffer. We cry out for some explanation. Sometimes the well-intentioned "Christian-speak" falls short: "God has a plan," and "Call me if I can help."

In the midst of our pain, we find some undeniable truths in scripture.

One is that God loves us. The psalmist wrote, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him," (Psalm 103: 11). 

But we also know he created us with freedom to choose, even to choose to disobey him. We make bad choices all the time, including diet, relationships and money. And we suffer because of these bad choices.

But some suffering is inexplicable, at least in the present. As Paul said, "We see through a glass darkly," (1 Corinthians 13:12). 

Elie Wiesel was another faith struggler. He was incarcerated in Auschwitz and Buchenwald at age 15. He witnessed terrible cruelties, including three hangings on one memorable day. Wiesel said two men died instantly, but the third offender, a little boy, didn't have enough weight for his neck to snap. He writhed in agony for 30 minutes while the prisoners were ordered to stand at attention and watch 

Someone behind Wiesel muttered, "Where is God now?"

Wiesel said in his heart he thought, "There he is. On those gallows."

His faith died on those gallows, and he admitted his struggle with faith throughout his life. 

But it may be that Wiesel gave us an insight he didn't see at the time. 

The writer of Hebrews declared that we don't have a "fair weather" savior. He wrote: "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most," (Hebrews 4: 15-16).

The God of the Bible promised to be with us on the gallows.

"Reflections" is a weekly faith column written by Michael J. Brooks, pastor of the Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster, Alabama. The church's website is siluriabaptist.com. Rev. Brooks has graciously given ALPolitics.com permission to repost his regular pastoral column here.

Opinions do not reflect the views and opinions of ALPolitics.com. ALPolitics.com makes no claims nor assumes any responsibility for the information and opinions expressed above.