Where is God when I hurt?

by | Apr 24, 2020 | Faith Builders

OUR DILEMMA – GOD IS THERE WHEN I HURT (Or He isn’t)

  1. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THE EVIDENCE AND MADE YOUR DECISION ABOUT GOD?
    1. DO YOU BELIEVE:
      1. There IS a God.
      2. That God CREATED everything.
      3. That He has MADE AND KEPT PROMISES to mankind.
      4. That God INSPIRED and PROTECTED His Word.
      5. That God became man by MIRACLE BIRTH.
      6. That He DID MIRACLES.
      7. That He lived a SINLESS LIFE.
      8. That His death was to pay the PENALTY FOR MY SINS.
      9. That He AROSE FROM THE DEAD.
    2. I believe God is the all-powerful creator of everything. He is eternal, immortal, all knowing, ever-present… BUT!
      1. But in the loneliness of my present crisis, just believing these things about Him isn’t enough. If my belief doesn’t turn to faith and my faith into trust, I’m in trouble!
      2. During those desperate times I believe He is there and I ask God for help me. I’ve begged Him to answer my prayers. I’ve tried bargaining with Him by making promises to Him. I’ve thought, “If He really loved me, He would come to my rescue!” I’ve confessed my sin and even made up sins I might have committed to make up for ones I’ve forgotten. I’ve hoped and then lost hope, waiting for God to show up. I kept calling His Name, but it seemed like He wouldn’t answer.
  2. WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT GOD IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT!
    1. Most of us have had various views about God.
    2. We sometimes believe like a child that God will always come rescue you. 
    3. We may have believed God created everything but He is no longer interested or active in your life.
    4. Do you believe God saved us but keeping us saved is up to us?
    5. What I believe about God affect how I feel and act in crisis.
  3. MOST OF US HAVE HAD TIMES WHEN WE THOUGHT GOD WASN’T THERE, OR IF HE IS, HE DOESN’T CARE ABOUT US.
    1. I can think eight distinct times in my life when I felt, “There is something worse than being an atheist. It’s believing in God but believing that He doesn’t care”
    2. When I am overwhelmed I sometimes try to explain my feelings and what I’m learning in a Story:
      1. Picture me sitting in the ICU WAITING ROOM for those with failing faith. In my mind it’s like I am pacing the floors of a hospital waiting room while everything important to me undergoes life-threatening surgery.
      2. As I wait, minutes tick into hours, hours into days, and days into years and I am still waiting. Tick, tick, tick; the painful minutes slip by.
      3. In the loneliness of the waiting room, I’ve tried ignoring the crisis. I’ve tried pretending the crisis isn’t real. I’ve tried distracting myself with anything that will take my mind from the pain of waiting.
        1. I’ve listed the things I should be doing, but I’ve given up trying to do them because I can’t keep my mind on other things anyway.
        2. I have no words to speak.
        3. While I wait, Satan, the accuser of my soul, reminds me of all my past failures, missed opportunities, and words I should (or shouldn’t) have spoken.
        4. The regrets begin to pile up and I slump in a chair, slipping into despair, self-condemnation, and hopelessness.
        5. I withdraw into myself. Even though there are others I care about in the waiting room, I am so self-absorbed in my own feelings I cannot see their needs. Even though I know my silence deepens their wounds, I am weak.
        6. My friends try to say the right words, but their efforts to love me or help me only make me feel more alone in my regret.
        7. My faith needs life support. I cry out to God but there is no answer.
  4. MOST PEOPLE HAVE A NEGATIVE VIEW OF GOD AND DO NOT SEE HIM AS THE GOD WHO LOVES, WAITS AND OFFERS:
    1. Take a quick look at the Old Testament and how God offered and man refused.
    2. Note that those who refused had to pay the consequences of their choices.
    3. Note also those who accepted His grace were cared for by God as they lived in the world of sins consequences.
      1. IMAGE
  5. FINDING CLARITY FOR OUR DILEMMA.
    1. Are you convinced THERE WAS A GOD WHO OFFERED AND WAITED FOR THEM, but you have times when you wonder, WILL GOD BE THERE FOR ME?
    2. We needed to remember that our God, our Heavenly Father, is in the waiting room with us. He’s waiting too.
    3. We knew God could have intervened in our prodigals’ life change their circumstances and protect them from emotional and spiritual train wrecks. He could have kept them from wrong choices and wrong relationships.
    4. But because He gave all of us free will to choose whether or not to love Him in return. He’s in the waiting room also. Like a Father, He waits. He never forces or imposes. He waits. He waits for them just like He waits for all persons in all places, and if they rejected Him, He cries, “How often I would have gathered you like a mother hen gathers her chicks, but you would not” (Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34).
    5. Story after story, the Bible demonstrates that God, creator, immortal, ever present and all powerful, is acting just like a father in the waiting room outside the ICU.
      1. In my crisis I panic. In the middle of the crisis, God offers and waits … offers and waits, offers and waits.
      2. We may feel like He’s not doing anything, but He is. He’s just not doing what we want when we want it. He’s being God, being consistent, offering and waiting … and God knows sometimes it’s got to get worse before our prodigal will listen.
    6.  Reflecting back, I see that my wife Bobbi and I moved through three stages as we waited in The ICU for hurting families. We finally reached a better understanding of how God loves His children and why He waits.  NOTE: Most people never take a look at how God really acting in the past so we can see how He will act in the present.
  6. IF YOU ONLY WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR THOSE YOU LOVE, YOU ARE ACTING JUST LIKE GOD!
    1. We wanted those we love to have health, wealth, and happiness. We wanted our children to know and love the Lord and be protected from this world. We wanted them to be productive, to find someone to love them, and then go to heaven when they die.
    2. God gave Adam and Eve the beautiful Garden of Eden. He gave them a place without weeds, conflict, or disease. God gave him a partner and helper in Eve. He intimately gave of Himself in His relationship with Adam and Eve. He gave them all of the above and still they rebelled.
  7. IF OUR LOVED ONES REJECT THE LORD, WE ACT JUST LIKE GOD WHEN WE ARE WILLING TO SUFFER SO THEY CAN BE SAVED.
    1. When those we love turn from God’s best, we became willing to suffer for them so they could find forgiveness and eternal life. We grieved that they had turned from God’s best and we became willing to suffer, pay the price for their failure, even die for them, if it meant they could be saved.
    2. Does our desire to rescue our children sound familiar? God did this for each of us. God, the Son, left heaven and took upon Himself the likeness of men and was willing to suffer to meet his children’s greatest needs: forgiveness and eternal salvation. He was willing to come live with us, to show us how to live and love. He was willing to die on a cross, taking the punishment of the guilty so the guilty could be forgiven. He chose to lose so we could gain! He offered Himself as a living sacrifice for all who would accept Him. He offered and waited. He still offers and waits.
  8.  IF OUR LOVED ONES STILL REFFUSE TO REPENT AND TURN AND REPENT AND TURN TO THE LORD WHEN WE BECOME WILLING FOR THEM TO SUFFER THAT THEY MIGHT BE SAVED:
    1. There came a point when we realized that we were not only willing to suffer so our children could be saved, we were willing for them to suffer if it meant they would turn to God. I remember when Bobbi and I prayed, “Lord, whatever it takes.” We finally understood that it might be necessary for our loved ones to suffer the loss of health, wealth, happiness, or even long life, in order for them to be saved.
    2. We wanted whatever it took to bring them back to God. We tried to stop asking God for what WE thought was best and asked Him to help us TRUST Him to know what is best. We are learning to trust God to use crisis to bring them to Christ or bring them to maturity.
  9. WHAT WE HOPE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS SECTION:
    1. God loves EVERYONE and He also wants EVERYONE to be forgiven.
    2. God wants us to love Him and show our love for Him by how we obey Him.
    3. God wants us to team with Him in reaching out to tell others about Him.
    4. We’ve found:
      1. His judgment will come to unrepentant sinners but God waits and waits hoping that sinners will accept His forgiveness.
      2. We’ve found that the Lord will allow us to experience the consequences of our and others sin in the hopes that we will accept His forgiveness.
      3. Sometimes He chooses to let us grow through crisis so we will learn to trust Him. II Corinthians 1:6-10.
      4. Jesus was willing to give His life that we might be saved. Paul was willing to go to hell if his family could be saved. Romans 10:
      5. He allows whole cities, Nations or Continent’s to suffer the consequences of their sins and choices. (IE. Israel, the Jews, Jerusalem, Ethiopia, Antioch, Ephesus, Rome, England, America.)
      6. We’re learning that God often uses crisis to discipline His children because we have to face the consequences of our choices.
      7. He allows us to suffer – God sometimes allows us to suffer so others can be saved.
      8. He allows people to suffer the consequences. He even allows entire cultures and nations to collapse so the rest of the world will be warned and turn to the Lord.
      9.  In crisis, I find my greatest need is to know that God is right there with me in my ICU waiting room.
      10. Finally, in the middle of my confusion and doubt, when I don’t understand, I can believe. But even if I can’t believe, I can have faith. But even when I can’t understand, believe, or have faith or trust, God will still be God. He is not limited by my understanding or trust. He will still be the God who loves and offers, who acts like a father waiting with me in the ICU waiting room for wounded families.
        1. He waited for me ….
        2. He waited for you ….
        3. He is waiting for yours!
  10. APPLICATION:
    1. Is it time for you to get acquainted with the REAL GOD WHO IS REALLY THERE?
      1. Do you have an ACCURATE and biblical view of God, His nature and purpose? (Take the “long look” of God’s actions from the Garden of Eden to now).
      2. If you struggle to pray by making sure you “say the right words”, in “the right way” and Just talk to Him!
      3. If you to Him, write Him a letter. Sit down and write a letter where you start out just vent your feelings. When you finish venting, ask the Lord to help you discern what is accurate and true. When you finished rewriting your letter, read it to the Lord. Illustration – If you read through the Book of Psalms, most of them begin with David venting to the Lord and end by his claiming Scripture and asking God to help him.
      4. Try identifying Scriptures that will help you remember the faithfulness of our God and begin to hide them in your heart so you can claim them in times of hurt or crisis.
    2. Scriptures that can help you in times of great stress and hurt.
      1. Jesus said, “I will not leave you desolate or alone, I come unto you”. John 14:18
      2. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
      3. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
      4. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
      5. “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” John 14:27
      6. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
      7. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
      8. “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19
      9. “But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
      10. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
      11. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
      12. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
      13. “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
      14. “Tell everyone who is discouraged, be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue…” Isaiah 35:4
      15. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Luke 12:22-26
      16. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
      17. “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you” Psalm 55:22
      18. “Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’” Mark 6:50
      19. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
      20. “’For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,’ declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:13-14
      21. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
      22. “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper.” Psalm 118:6-7
      23. “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40
      24. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” Psalm 34:7
      25. “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.” 1 Peter 3:14
      26. “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
      27. “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22
      28. “Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.’” Revelation 1:17
      29. “Jesus told him, ‘don’t be afraid; just believe.’” Mark 5:36
      30. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38-39
      31. “The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17
      32. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1
  11. WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
    1. Bill Putman www.answersforreallife.org Teaching tools for GODISNOWHERE APP and a free book LIFE SURE IS CONFUSING and other helps.
    2. Know What You Believe – Richard Helsby – knowwhatyoubelieve.com
    3. The Problem Of Pain –C.S. Lewis Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc. New York N.Y.
    4. Letusreason.org
    5. The Blue Letter Bible The blueletterbible.org. How God has made Himself known.
    6. A Ready Defense, Josh McDowell, Here’s Life Publishing, Inc., San Bernardino, CA 92402
    7. Answers to Tough Questions about the Christian Faith, Josh McDowell and Don Stewart, 1980, Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., San Bernardino, CA 92402
    8. Defending You Faith: Reliable answers for a new generation of sceptics and seekers, Dan Story, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, 1997
    9. Letters To A Skeptic – Gregory A Boyd and Edward K. Boyd – Chariot Victor Publishing
    10. Reasons to believe – R.C. Sproul – Zondervan Press.
    11. Knowing God – J.I. Packer – Inter Varsity Press.
    12. Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis – Harper Collins Publisher
    13. 77 FAQ’s – Josh and Sean McDowell – Harvest House
    14. Defending Your Faith: Reliable answers for a new generation of sceptics and seekers, Dan Story, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, 1997
    15. Got Questions http://www.gotquestions.org/questions_Creation.html
    16. Know What You Believe – Paul Little – Victor Books
    17. Know Who You Believe – Paul Little – Victor Books
    18. Know Why You Believe – Paul Little – Victor Books
    19. knowwhatyoubelieve.com