Q. These days the world is a scary place. We hear on the news about kidnappings, fatal illnesses striking young children, even things in our own home that can go wrong. I try not to focus on concern for the future, but in my “mom gut” I always have this level of FEAR that something terrible might happen to my kids. How can I put my mind at ease?
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A. There are so many times in life that we are fearful and we ask God what is going on.
The one thing we must understand is that God is in charge and that nothing takes Him by surprise. He is always in control and is fully aware of all that is happening. Of course, in some ways this makes it even harder to understand because He could stop killings, kidnappings, illnesses and more.
I am sure that many of you have read the book of Job in the Bible where God allowed Satan to test Job with physical, emotional and spiritual stresses. Job too cried out to God to stop the pain, to help him understand why. Job asked God what he had done and how to make the suffering stop, He says, “What I feared has come upon me, what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” Job 3:25-26
God allows Job to continue to question as well as listen to the counsel of his friends through the first 38 chapters of Job. Finally in chapter 38 God answers Job and basically tells Job that He is God and Job is not. Gods knows about all of His creation and He is in control, He did not give Job a reason for his pain and suffering – all God established was that He is God. Job then answers by saying …”I know that you can do all things, no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2
My NIV Life Application Bible explains this verse by saying… “because we are locked into time, unable to see beyond today, we cannot know the reasons for everything that happens. Will you trust God with your unanswered questions?”
It always comes back to trusting God even when there is no explanation and there is great fear and pain. We cannot see all that God is doing and we don’t understand God’s big plan. So He asks us to trust Him (see blog post on Trusting God posted on February 24 ) — even when it appears not to make sense, God is more than capable of stopping any type of event you are fearful of – but for reasons we simply cannot understand, He doesn’t and it is painful and fearful.
My advice to you is very simple – Cry out to God and lean into His truths (found in your Bible, at your church or with a trusted mentor). Tell Him all of your fears for your children and yourself by just telling God what you are thinking and feeling (He already knows and won’t be taken back by your thoughts and feelings). Then allow Him to be God in your life and in the life of your family.
Remember that God told us that our lives were going to be hard at times, but that He would always be with us. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 God has also promised that we will never be alone no matter what happens as long as we know the Lord as our Saviour. God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
I too do not understand why things happen and often I am fearful. But I must remind myself that I have placed my trust in God even when I don’t understand. That is faith – it is not easy, but where would you rather turn?
A good book to read is When God Doesn’t Make Sense.by Dr. James Dobson
