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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
With Tsunamis in Asia, floods across Europe and the American Northwest, fires in California and hurricanes in the south; with tornadoes in the Midwest, drought across the southeast and brutal winter storms throughout the northern tier states – one is tempted to ask, ‘Is anyone in control?’ Now, as cries for help echo around the world, national and state governments, private aid agencies and individuals struggle to meet the needs of countless numbers of people; Christians in particular needing to step to the fore-front of efforts to alleviate needs in our own country and around the globe.
Some such tragedies (along with others, like illness, disease and conflicts between individuals and nations) happen with little or no warning, while others are forecast and warned of; even as people go on about their business as usual – mirroring the response of many to life in general and the gospel in particular – which starts by warning us of the dangers of sin, the need to remedy that problem in repentance and acceptance of Christ’s offer of forgiveness, resulting in his loving provision and eternity in heaven. Knowing that, we still often wait, tempting fate, spurning the warnings and then attempt to duck the consequences or question how God could in the end really be so uncaring as to condemn us to punishment; which he doesn’t do. As many of the heartaches and hardships in life are the result of our lifestyle choices, eternity being decided by our response to the offer of salvation through the sacrifice of God’s son.
Yet good, innocent people get swept away in natural disasters; Christians become sick, suffer emotional distress and die alongside the unsaved and wicked. I have personally been helped in my understanding of these issues, though I’m still struggling to accept them, by reading Philip Yancey’s book, “Where is God When it Hurts?”; 1 which deals with concepts that are absolutely crucial to our understanding of life and our continued faith in a loving, interpersonal, all-powerful God.
To begin with, we must realize that our world suffers the consequences of a fallen state; the earth itself groaning in anticipation of release and redemption, as should we in anticipation of Christ’s return. (Romans 8:18-23) As such, bad things happen not just to bad people. Circumstances beyond our control were set in motion at the fall of man (Genesis 3,6 & 7); biological, astronomical and geological changes taking place that were not originally intended. Our cells break down, mutating into disease or leaving us vulnerable to attack from without, progressing to sickness and death. In addition, we compound the problem in the choices we make – to smoke, drink, over-indulging our appetites, using drugs, having indiscriminate sex; polluting the air, water and soil – destroying the ecological habitat we call home and hastening our own demise. We can and should alleviate some of these assaults on our bodies by heeding Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 3:16, but by virtue of our birth into the condition of man, we will all one day die (Hebrews 2:7); the mode of our deaths often causing us the most concern.
Most disconcerting for some is the notion that God uses trials and suffering as discipline or punishment to gain our attention, correct misbehavior and test our resolve. (Heb. 12:5-11,2 Chronicles 32:31) Note that the Hebrew writer says, “…the Lord disciplines those he loves,…” which could indicate all mankind, but goes on to specifically say, “…he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” He then goes on to explain this as being a consequence of God’s love and desire to bring us to a point of acceptance of his will; the only place where true joy and peace of mind can be found. (Our physical comfort or even death not being the issue in God’s mind as it is in ours, rather His concern is with the condition of our souls at death; ultimately allowing for the possibility of eternal life with Him in heaven. Luke 13:1-4)
This is the reasoning behind Mr. Yancey’s advice for us to stop asking why bad things come our way, instead asking, what are they leading us to. Whether our discomfort is a consequence of rebellious sin, a reluctance to acknowledge God’s will or the result of living in an unregenerate world that is gradually spinning out of control; we need to actively seek the good that can come of it, allowing God to manifest himself in the midst of unpleasantness. (Romans 8:28) For pleasure often emerges against a background of discomfort; insight can be gained through moments of uncertainty; increased faith realized after periods of doubt. There is indeed a good kind of sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10); that which turns us resolutely to God in confessed need of his provision and forgiveness, developing a deeper dependence on Him in all subsequent matters. One crucial step to achieving a productive Christian lifestyle is the realization that none of us were placed on earth to fulfill personal desires; pursuing life, liberty and happiness. We are here to be changed into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), being re-created through Him and for Him (2 Corinthians 5:17), in anticipation of spending eternity with him. In fact, the unpleasantness of things beyond our control is often necessary for the resolution of sin and complacency in our lives; serving as a beacon or warning that demands attention and a response.
I’m not sure God’s sovereign will dictates every incident of our lives, but in his omnipotence he could shield us from all harm yet sometimes chooses not to. How many times we are blessed and rescued from harm without our realization is impossible to know; it’s the unpleasantness we do encounter that we worry over and question. Yet whether we are blessed unaware or blessed through hardship, he is still there blessing (Hebrews 13:5); at times choosing to remove all obstacles, sometimes choosing to lead us through the midst of them – at some point choosing to bless us by removing us from this world of trouble altogether, comforting us with the blessing of heaven. Keep in mind that God isn’t fearful of or limited by our doubts and questions. If you don’t understand – say so. He’s big enough to handle that and compassionate in answering according to our ability to understand – as he sees fit. (See Job) He expects us to pose questions in our search for him, affording him the opportunity to prove his faithfulness. (Malachi 3:10) Being fearful of expressing need and doubt is more likely rooted in a lack of confidence in God’s ability to meet our needs and alleviate doubt than an expression of reverence and respect. God himself challenges us to ask, seek and knock; proving himself faithful as we receive, find and enter through the opened door to intimacy with him. (Matthew 7:7,8)
Who’s in charge? God is. Where is He when it hurts? Right along-side you, always looking to bless; in the here-and-now and the here-after. (See Psalm 34 – especially 6,7; 12-19)
1Zondervan Publishing
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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