WHERE IS GOD WHEN WE SUFFER?

Just this weekend we had both our littlest girls throwing up. The first, from carsickness, the second from some sort of stomach bug.

For the first we stopped the car, got her cleaned up, put on new clothes and got her some air. We rested until she felt stable, rubbed her back, pulled her hair into a bun, comforted her and held her. We found ways for her to be still, to get her bearings again and before long she was back to playing and laughing.

For the one with the stomach bug, we were immediately present, and quickly grabbed a stool for her to sit on in the bathroom. We held her hand, comforted her with our words, got her ice chips, wipes, tissues and fresh clothes. We made her a pallet on the couch, rubbed her feet, rested our hands on her back while she leaned over the toilet, held her while watching movies and laid next to her while she rested. As the day went on, we realized we needed more things for her, so I left to go to the store and quickly came home to supply more of her needs.

No matter how badly we wanted to, we couldn’t take away what either of the girls were feeling. We couldn’t immediately make the swirling, discomfort, or pain stop.

But that didn’t mean we were not present. 

Our intentional care for them showed them in their moments of suffering we were deeply concerned as we provided for their needs, held them while they cried, and stayed near to them while they endured.

As a mama to 7 these experiences of stomach issues this past weekend are just like the other dozens of hospital visits, ER visits, sports injuries, dance injuries, broken bones, and even broken hearts…and all are such a tangible, practical, palpable picture of where God is when you and I suffer too.

There are circumstances for all of us that, for whatever reason, we must endure…and how often do we wrestle with the thought that God is not present while we suffer?  

And yet He is.

In the middle of our greatest suffering, we saw so many people come to our aid. People who brought help, meals, care, compassion and provided so very practically for our family in dozens of incredibly impactful ways. 

There were some who took our daughter to ballet, others who shared their homes, many who brought food, still more who gave financially. Many helped with research for our son, some who gifted points for airlines for us to travel to see doctors, others who helped with legal services during our CPS case, and more who gifted us a “Christmas” when we had nothing. 

There were so many who have tried to advocate on our behalf, many who have, are are still, praying for us as well as our local circumstances. There were handfuls of families that stood by our side, and individuals from near and far who have contacted us and let us know of their compassion, support, encouragement and prayers. 

And that, my friends, is God. God Himself often works through His people.

There were times He was so near to us in the midst of our suffering I would have told you I could almost taste it. 

Over and over again we voiced we surely would not have survived without those who showed us the heart of God through compassion, generosity, love and kindness. 

God stirred in the hearts of people, moved them toward action by the power of the Holy Spirit and in doing so showed His literal presence as He worked through the hands, feet and hearts of those who came near. 

My old pastor, the late Dr. Wayne Barber, used to say, “You are either just coming out of a trial, in one right now, or are about to go into another.” 

The Bible offers so much encouragement and perspectives for our expected seasons of suffering: 

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” Psalms 119:71

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:6-7, 11–13

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:50

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:13-14

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2–4

And my personal favorite…

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

We must imagine Jesus himself gently holding our faces and encouraging us to open our eyes, ears and hearts to see what is happening all around us. 

The circumstances we all find ourselves in might feel, like my girls, swirly, uncomfortable or painful, but He has not left us. 

His intentional care for shows us in our darkest moments of suffering that He is deeply concerned, is actively providing for our needs, holding us while we cry, and is near to us while we endure. He will, in big ways and small ways, find opportunities to help you and me both to press on. 

When you:

encounter someone who “sees” you… 

have someone give to you…

find someone who offers prayer, encouragement, wisdom, advice, or hope…

feel the embrace of a hug…

have a friend who preaches Truth and the Word of God back to you…

see people coming near and offering themselves and their presence even when you have nothing to offer back…

This is the heart of the Father.

My girls woke up today reminiscing about who threw up and where. (Lol) But…what has marked their minds the most is how well the family cared for them when they were sick.

One of my girls just said, “When I get sick again I KNOW you will take care of me.”

Friends, He has not left you. He is with you, near to you, and will work through the hands and feet of those around you to show you that He is an ever present help in time of need. We need only have eyes to see…