I had some shocking news this week. I won’t go into the details, but I am having a hard time believing that it is real. For one thing, I don’t understand the why behind it.
This isn’t the first time I’ve faced a great shock in life and I’m sure it won’t be the last. However, it makes me think of a question which often comes to mind in discomfiting circumstances like these:
How do you worship God in the midst of a great shock or storm in life?
“But why?”
I was one of those kids who drove my parents nuts with millions of questions asking “Why this? Why that? How come…?” The only thing that changed as I grew up was that I usually don’t voice the question aloud. I have also developed my research skills to seek the answers myself. Still, sometimes the answer proves elusive.
There is no easy answer to the questions of why unexpected curves in the road of life happen. Sometimes it’s because of sin in our life or the lives of others involved. Sometimes it’s discipline or a course correction from the Lord to get us back on track. Sometimes it’s the Lord propelling us to move to the place He wants us. Sometimes it’s an opportunity to minister to others. Sometimes it’s something we can’t explain.
None of these are easy, and any may cause us to question elements of our lives we’d previously taken for granted. All shove us into an element of the unknown which is never a comfortable place to be.
Here is a clip from the movie “Courageous.” Adam and Victoria lost their daughter in a car accident. Here Adam asks his pastor some tough questions.
Remember, “It takes time. It takes time for healing.” “He [God] doesn’t promise an explanation, but He does promise to walk with us through the pain.”
Verses To Cling To Through The Pain
I had been looking up verses on this very subject earlier this week to prepare for a new family Bible study I’m writing. Let me share some of them with you here with a prayer that they will touch your heart or those of the people you love.
John 16:33 (NIV)
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.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
10 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.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
6 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.”
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Psalm 139:7-12 (NIV)
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Job 38:1-7 (NIV)
38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?[Continue reading God’s answer to Job here.]
Job 42:1-6 (NIV)
42 Then Job replied to the Lord:
2 “I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
“I will praise You in this storm.”
I want to leave you with a song from Casting Crowns.
Songwriters: Mark Hall / Bernie Herms
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