"You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head."
--Psalm 139:5 (NLT)
You place your hand of blessing on my head."
--Psalm 139:5 (NLT)
I have had people share their stories of trauma, abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Invariably, one of the first questions they ask is, "Why did God let this happen to me?" It's an honest question. It's an appropriate question. When we are hurt and wounded--we are riddled with questions. It's human nature to attempt to make sense out of chaos and distress when our world feels out of control. We look for someone to blame, some sort of rationale or reason why things happen.
In my work with children and youth who were abused, molested, abandoned, or born addicted to drugs or alcohol--my heart would break. I often asked the very same question so many ask, "Why, God? This is an innocent child. He/she did not ask to be here."
I'm not sure I have a simple answer; perhaps these questions are best suited for individual wrestling and grappling with the Lord in prayer, as Jacob did in Genesis 32:26. However, may I offer some points to consider?
Man's Free Will
We know from Genesis 2:7 that when God breathed into the nostrils of man, man became a living soul. Man was given a mind, will, and emotions. These are gifts from God. Every human being has been given a free will. We are not puppets or robots. We have been given the capacity to think, act, and make choices and decisions freely. Yet, it doesn't always mean we do or say the right thing or make the right choices all of the time. In Genesis 6:6, we learn that when God saw the wickedness of man it broke his heart.
The Omnipresence of God
In Psalm 139, David beautifully pens the truth of God's word--he is always with us. Even in the darkest, most abysmal place we are never sans the presence of God. He the reality of his presence is what gives us the grace and strength to overcome the most horrific of circumstances. No one knew this better than David. He was overlooked by his father Jesse (I Samuel 16). He spent most of his time alone and isolated tending to his father's sheep (I Samuel 16:19). As a young lad, he fought off a lion and a bear to protect the sheep in which he was entrusted (I Samuel 17:34). His brother, Eliab, looked down on him (I Samuel 17:28). Saul grew to hate him and wanted him dead (I Samuel 18). His wife, Michal, verbalized her disgust at his unseemly dance of victory
(2 Samuel 6:16-20). And, his very own son, Absalom, usurped his throne (2 Samuel 15). Throughout a lifetime of drama, David maintains that God is with him.
Healing Comes with Pursuing
Each of us must resolve to take our deep "Why?" questions to the eternal, omniscient, omnipresent God (Psalm 42:7). He is the only one equipped to answer in a way that brings healing and wellness to our souls. Even in our state of unrest, anger, and inner turmoil we can experience healing is possible.
Read about my "Why?" question in the article, "Angry with God".
Click on the link below.
In my work with children and youth who were abused, molested, abandoned, or born addicted to drugs or alcohol--my heart would break. I often asked the very same question so many ask, "Why, God? This is an innocent child. He/she did not ask to be here."
I'm not sure I have a simple answer; perhaps these questions are best suited for individual wrestling and grappling with the Lord in prayer, as Jacob did in Genesis 32:26. However, may I offer some points to consider?
Man's Free Will
We know from Genesis 2:7 that when God breathed into the nostrils of man, man became a living soul. Man was given a mind, will, and emotions. These are gifts from God. Every human being has been given a free will. We are not puppets or robots. We have been given the capacity to think, act, and make choices and decisions freely. Yet, it doesn't always mean we do or say the right thing or make the right choices all of the time. In Genesis 6:6, we learn that when God saw the wickedness of man it broke his heart.
The Omnipresence of God
In Psalm 139, David beautifully pens the truth of God's word--he is always with us. Even in the darkest, most abysmal place we are never sans the presence of God. He the reality of his presence is what gives us the grace and strength to overcome the most horrific of circumstances. No one knew this better than David. He was overlooked by his father Jesse (I Samuel 16). He spent most of his time alone and isolated tending to his father's sheep (I Samuel 16:19). As a young lad, he fought off a lion and a bear to protect the sheep in which he was entrusted (I Samuel 17:34). His brother, Eliab, looked down on him (I Samuel 17:28). Saul grew to hate him and wanted him dead (I Samuel 18). His wife, Michal, verbalized her disgust at his unseemly dance of victory
(2 Samuel 6:16-20). And, his very own son, Absalom, usurped his throne (2 Samuel 15). Throughout a lifetime of drama, David maintains that God is with him.
Healing Comes with Pursuing
Each of us must resolve to take our deep "Why?" questions to the eternal, omniscient, omnipresent God (Psalm 42:7). He is the only one equipped to answer in a way that brings healing and wellness to our souls. Even in our state of unrest, anger, and inner turmoil we can experience healing is possible.
Read about my "Why?" question in the article, "Angry with God".
Click on the link below.
