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Thoughts and insights from Jubilee Church WirralWhere is God when it hurts?
By Dawne Cooper, Jubilee Church Wirral
Where is God when it hurts?
Everyone goes through a time in their lives when things are really tough and you don’t understand what’s going on. Relationships break down, we lose loved ones, our health fails us, we lose our jobs, and so much more. This last year, in particular, has been tough on everyone and I’m no different.
Being a Christian doesn’t make you exempt from such trials. I’m currently sitting here letting the tears flow as I mourn the loss of my precious dog, after nearly 13 years with her. I’ve also struggled to help my parents, trying to support them from a distance as my dad continues his battle with cancer. These are just a couple of the trials I face at the moment.
Am I telling you this for sympathy? No! I’m sharing this with you to show you I understand.
When we go through trials we have two choices: 1. To roll over and be defeated, or 2. Stand up and say “God, I don’t know what’s going on, or why you’re allowing this to happen, but I trust you.”
God won’t abandon you in the middle of all this. He’s the one constant, the one you can rely on, completely faithful.
I love Psalm 91 which is cram-packed full of God’s promises to protect and fight for us.
“When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue and honour him.” Psalm 91:15.
You may wonder how God will be there when it’s hurting. Well, the short answer is, it’s in the little things. It’s in the phone call or message, just when you need it most. It’s in the offer of support. It’s in the random Bible verse or song that just pops into your head. It’s in the beauty all around us. It’s in the gentle reminder that this too shall pass. It’s in the promise that “in the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Don’t get me wrong, it won’t be easy, but God makes it possible. Do I have wobbles? Yes. Do I have days where it just doesn’t seem possible? Absolutely. But ultimately I choose joy, I choose peace, I choose to trust even when I don’t understand.
What’s your choice going to be?
Dawne Cooper with her beloved and much-missed dog Rolo
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