Where is God?

By SUSAN SMITH WALKER

Life is always difficult but today we have new things to worry about and trouble is present on every side. When we will be able to visit our loved ones in the nursing home again? Is it safe to go grocery shopping? Will my job still be there when all this is over? How long will it be until I can spend time with my family and friends? When will our children be able to go back to school? How am I going to be able to pay my bills on unemployment? What if I get sick? On top of all these problems the car breaks down, or some other unexpected trouble comes with very bad timing. Someone called me this week crying, distraught over life in general and asked, “Pastor Susan – Where is God?”

When we are caught in the storms of life, we may feel that God has abandoned us, but this is not the case. Jesus warned us life would not be easy in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” It helps when we remember that trouble is an unavoidable part of life, but Jesus promised to be with us in our trouble to help us deal with it. Some periods of trouble are harder than others and this is one of those times for many people.

Where is God? He is in our ability to endure hardship. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 “⁸We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” As believers we carry His suffering in us, but it is His resurrection power in our life that will carry us through. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a double portion of His resurrection power to help you face the day with confidence that you can do this one step at a time with Him. No matter how bad it gets, trouble won’t last always. This too shall pass eventually, and God’s people have resurrection power to help us hang in there.

Where is God? He is our peace in the storm. In Him, we can go with the flow. We can be grateful for whatever we have. Philippians 4:11-13 “¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you be content with your daily bread because today is all we ever have.

God has not left us. He is with us and can help you today. Seek His presence and you will know He is there. Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Rev. Walker is the pastor of Emanuel Reformed Church www.emanuelreformedchurch.com and can be reached at 828-962-8196 or revsusansmith@gmail.com