How Do You Cope When God Doesn't Make Sense?
By Marilyn Hickey

Have you ever stood beside someone suffering a devastating setback … and thought "God, where are You?"

In difficult times, there are no easy answers. Sometimes there seem to be no answers at all … and so much we don't know. That's when we must "stick with what we do know": God is faithful, He is just, and He promised never to forsake us. When we don't understand, God is still faithful. When life seems unfair, God is still just. When we can't make sense of anything else, we know this: He will never leave us.

See Beyond the "Ruins" … to Resurrection

When we discover that God is right there with us - even in the midst of our pain, our questions, and our confusion - that brings us to another realization: God has a purpose. We say this so often, it may seem cliched! Yet, Romans 8:28 is as true today as the day it was written: " … All things … work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (NASU). This verse can turn your doubt and despair into hope and peace of mind.

When we think of suffering and loss, the first person that comes to mind is Job. He faced every imaginable tragedy: the loss of his children, material and financial ruin, and excruciating physical pain. Yet, sitting amidst the "ashes" of his life, Job declared, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him …" (NIV). His absolute trust in God became the platform upon which God rebuilt, restored, and resurrected Job's life!

I know a Christian family that was torn apart by incest. The husband sexually abused his daughter, from the time she was two years old and continuing into her teens. One day the mother was praying and sensed that something was terribly wrong. Her husband confessed that he had been molesting their precious daughter. The family was shattered. The couple divorced and he went to prison.

You may ask yourself, "Does any of this make sense?" At the time - it certainly didn't! Yet, now, seven years later, the mother is completing her master's degree in counseling to work with abused teenagers. Her compassion and understanding allow her to truly minister to others in tragic situations. Her husband has repented, and is now a chaplain in the prison. The daughter married a pastor and loves God with all her heart.

I’m not saying all that happened to this family was positive. Yet, God took their devastation and used it for a greater purpose - and He can do the same for you.

Take Steps Through the Storm

Perhaps you find yourself in a situation that makes no sense - facing an unwanted divorce, dealing with an addiction, grieving over a lost or prodigal child. Your heart's cry may be "How can I trust God … when the world seems to be crumbling beneath my feet?" I want to offer some simple steps to help you find your footing when life has knocked you "off balance."

· Continue to obey God - even when you don’t understand your circumstances. Keep doing what He's given you to do. Don't turn your back on those things that bring you joy. If you are ministering to others, stick with it. Keep reading your Bible, even when it seems as if reading doesn’t do any good. Stay involved and allow God to minister to you.

· Trust God beyond what you see. There's a song that says, "When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart." That's exactly right! Trust the nature of God more than your own understanding. Refuse to believe that your life is over, or that nothing good can come from your trouble. Trusting God is based on His everlasting love for you … never on what is going on around you. Make Romans 8:38,39 your theme: " … For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (NKJV).

· Recognize these moments as opportunities to know God more intimately. There is such sweet fellowship when you come to God broken, even desperate. When you have nothing to offer … He meets you with the fullness of Who He is. Intimacy is forged when we reveal our deepest disappointments and broken dreams. Then like Paul, we can cry out, … I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege … of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him …. (Philippians 3:8 TAB).

· Ask God to show you new things. Even in the midst of overwhelming circumstances, hope can spring forth! The pain of your past can become the fuel for your future. Isaiah 42:9 says, Behold, the former things have come to pass, now I declare new things; before they spring forth … (NASU).

While Jesus was on the cross, He cried out to God, "Why have You forsaken me?" Yet, God's greatest plan was about to be fulfilled! A new thing - I the redemption of mankind - was about to spring forth.

Hebrews 12:2 explains, …Jesus … for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross… (NKJV). The joy before Him was you … and me.

When you want to give up because life doesn't make sense; when you're tempted to doubt God's love for you when you just don't understand … remember Jesus, Who for the joy set before Him … endured and triumphed!

Life happens…to all of us. Let's focus on Jesus' promise: " … In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NIV). Stick with what you know: God is faithful, He is just, and He promised never to forsake you!

As founder and president of Marilyn Hickey Ministries, Marilyn is being used by God to help "cover the earth with the Word." Her Bible-teaching ministry is an international outreach via television, satellite, books, CDs, videos and evangelistic crusades. Marilyn's message of encouragement to all believers is that today can be the best day of their lives when Jesus Christ lives big in them. Marilyn and her husband Wallace Hickey have pastored Denver's Orchard Road Christian Center for 44 years.