A cold front moved through the Midwest not long ago, and it felt like the beginning of a new ice age. The weather reporters warned that an ice storm was approaching, but we all know the news thrives on drama. When I woke up, it was so cold I started looking for Santa. What appeared to be fluffy snow were really layers of brick-thick ice . . . on everything. It was nice to be cozied up at home for a few days, but with six adults and three dogs in one house, the coziness ended quickly.
So the guys decided to take the dogs for a walk. I declined because I get cold just standing in front of the refrigerator, and blue isn’t my best color. It wasn’t ten minutes before I received a text from my husband: “I don’t think going for a walk today was a good idea.”
After their return and getting thawed out, I learned they had all taken a few spills and gained a new respect for ice skaters. Jon had slipped the most, and when Jon falls and hits something like the corner of the table or stair step, he hits back; the ice was no different. When so many things feel out of control, it’s his way of exercising some control—even over the layers of ice.
Jon knows that God created and controls all things, including the weather. After his third fall he began to say:
- “Why did God do this to us?”
- “Why is He hurting us?”
- “God is not nice today; I don’t like Him.”
Let’s just say, trying to explain God’s control over the weather to a kid who has just slipped down on the hard ice several times got complicated in a hurry.
God controls the weather, but Jon’s pain was because he fell, not because God was using the weather to hurt him.
Tripping and Falling
If we live long enough, we will all trip and fall on the stone-cold reality that life is painful, loss is inevitable, and sorrow is undeniable.
In our humanity, we kick and scream and believe God deserves our blows and the blame because, after all, He’s in control. God’s sovereignty is comforting until we think it is responsible for tripping us up and allowing us to hit rock bottom. Would someone show me one verse in Scripture that promises us freedom from pain when we trust in Jesus Christ?
In fact, Genesis 3 describes the curse that resulted from sin:
“The ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:17–19 NLT)
The curse affects humanity and our world, which are broken and fallen. For this reason, we must put our hope in God and His redemptive plan.
Let Me Hear from You
When he hurts, Jon tends to get upset at God, but don’t we all? Pain often causes us to question God’s sovereignty. But nothing can knock God off His throne.
Consider a few pokes from the ice pick of reality:
- Is He on the throne in your soul, or has pain taken His place?
- What has happened since you lost what you valued most . . . your mate, your money, your position, your possessions?
- There’s no question that hitting hard times is tough. But are you running to God for comfort (see 2 Corinthians 1:3–7)?
- Do you believe God is for you and that though He allowed your pain, He will use it for good?
He’s holding out His hand for you to grab. In the comments area below, let’s talk about your struggles.
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