Why Did God Let It Happen?
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“Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb” (Job 3:11)?
Have you ever felt that low?
So many things had gone wrong in Job’s life — for no apparent reason — that he despaired of life. He had lost his children, his marriage, his belongings, his health and his reputation. When he asked, “Why?” his four friends said, “You must have sinned grievously or God would never allow this to happen to you.”
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“But I’ve always tried to do what’s right,” Job replied.
“You couldn’t have,” his friends insisted. They kept accusing him of sin and Job kept defending himself. After thirty seven chapters of this, they were no closer to an answer than when they started.
That’s when God showed up and spoke for Himself. Although He cleared Job of all sin, He did not give him an answer as to why he had suffered. Instead, God asked Job questions which he, being a mere man, could not answer. And what was Job’s conclusion? “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5,6).
Job worshiped.
We worship God when we leave it up to Him to interpret our circumstances. We worship God when we allow our heartache and our horrible circumstances to crowd us closer to the One who grieves with us because He loves us more than we can imagine.
Like Job, I’ve discovered that God doesn’t give us an answer to our why questions. Instead, He offers Himself: a listening ear, a refuge in the storm, a center when persons we trusted forsake us; a foundation when everything caves in. Suffering provides an opportunity for us to get to know God in a deeper, more personal way.
I’ve stopped asking why to life’s inexplicable situations. Instead, I ask now what? Now that this thing has happened, what can I do to make my life a little better? How can I help to bring some relief to those who are also suffering? I can’t do anything about the why, but I can do something about the what. And that’s where I want to put my energies.
Dear God, I want to trust You even when I don’t understand what’s happening in my life. Amen.
Questions: How can you help to bring some relief to those who are also suffering? Why does God allow suffering?
About the Author Helen Grace Lescheid
Tags: chatroom, circumstances, Helen Grace Lescheid, job, marriage, reputation, storm, suffering, womb, worship
11 Responses to “Why Did God Let It Happen?”
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What Do You Fear?
What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
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Trisha,
Thank you
In the name of all that is good
“Abba Father, we ask for Your peace and rest to be the weapon of choice to conquer fears and vexations in our spirits where these perhaps unsaved people keep going down the dead end road. Holy Spirit, be thier light, their salvation and right guard. Lead them to the place where they will never thirst again. Thank you for hearing this request IN THE POWERFUL NAME OF JESUS. AMEN” Ecclesiastes 4:6 “Better is a handful with quietness then both hands filled with travail and vexation of spirit.”
Trisha, your story is mine as well, every word. Angela, I, too, was driving myself into mental exhaustion and my spiritual, well, it took the helm and let it go and gave it to God. The problem was I kept taking it back! After all, the troubled soul was a sibling and I couldn’t just abandon him. That is enabling, not letting the person come to their knees on their own and calling out to God. I’ve been a member here now for a couple of years and I have submitted requests asking for prayer on behalf of this person. My family have just gone through the ‘fourth’ attempt at seeking counseling and I was only one of two family members left that, up to that point, was even talking to them. Now, after much prayer to the Lord, I sadly had come to a crossroad. I will never give up hope but I’m obviously not strong enough just yet to really make a difference. Only the Lord is. Please pray for my sibling as I truly believe in the power and strength of prayer. God bless
I have learned the best lessens in the hardest places. The Lord is faithful to teach us in all circumstances if we look to him. I was not delivered from them but taught to trust him more and be more thankful in them. He is greater than even death and I can say with all my heart I am thankful for every lessen learned. Learning to focus on Him and His truths was not easy but did bring me life. Learning to capture the thoughts of the enemy or myself and bring them in to obedience of his word makes a difference in every situation in life. I no longer walk in fear but faith and am forever grateful for his patience in teaching me in those dark places and being THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE. One name says it all “JESUS”!! Thank you for your devotionals they are a blessing that I share a lot. :)
Angela I agree you are not responsible for another actions and I think we take that burden on we need to love them in Christ name but we can’t make them any different unless they want to change and fell the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I did pray for my 16 years thank GOD she has been a Christian now for 7 years. Dont give up but don’t give into the lies satan will tell you regarding that person leave them in Christ hands
Trisha, may I suggest the following scripture for you both:
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is in Him.” (Psalm 62:5)
You know the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink”? I’ve experienced this with my sons, sister, and countless friends. I then realized that I was driving myself into the ground — spirit, soul, and body — and that certainly was NOT God’s best for anyone. Learning to wait silently is hard, but you do hear God a lot better and His voice (while sometimes still and small) is unmistakably clear.
Praying for you.
i have a question…how can you help in the sufferings of a person who continually and deliberately makes self destructive choices? i have sat behind walls of tears asking God “why” is this person doing this to themselves? If i were to continue helping them in their sufferings, wouldn’t i be an enabler? You asked,”How can I help to bring some relief to those who are also suffering? I can’t do anything about the why, but I can do something about the what. And that’s where I want to put my energies.”
But even when i have put my “energies” into helping them, they get themselves RIGHT BACK in trouble! They don’t respond to what God has for them and i am too weary to go through it with them again! So, how do i “help” with the “what now” NOW?
my why was when suddenly out of the blue my Mom started having seizures. The doctor’s still do not no the answer it has been over 5 years. I truat God has a plan I this though and printed it out to keep with me I’ve stopped asking why to life’s inexplicable situations. Instead, I ask now what? Now that this thing has happened, what can I do to make my life a little better? How can I help to bring some relief to those who are also suffering? I can’t do anything about the why, but I can do something about the what. And that’s where I want to put my energies.. PRAISE JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND KING
Amen! I agree with the others, and consider this a VERY important word. Too often, if we fail to accept that God will NOT explains “why’s” at times, we set ourselves up for BIG falls. Thinking that we will find reasons for all things is dangerous ground to walk on. The Lord is helping me see that it’s just what the author has said that is the best thing to do, not ask why, but instead “what now?”
Thank you Helen, for sharing this truth!
I felt like this was for me too. I recently started a job in an animal shelter and I found myself angry so much and asking why. It is very very sad. This has given me strength to go back and do what I must, trusting Him and loving all His creatures whatever time they have.
When I read this article this morning, the only thing I could say was “Thank You God” – I was going through a woe is me moment, why is this happening to me and I prayed to God asking Him Why? and He led me to a psalm that outlined all of the many awesome works of God, how He made the heavens and the earth and all the magnificent and wonderful things my Creator has done with just a Word – I did not understand it, I was left shaking my head wondering what are you telling me God, like Job asking why, why, why and after reading it the Holy Spirit said to me, worship Him, stop thinking why me and worship and thank God, because He is a powerful God who has decided because of Him, to love you – stop whining and feeling sorry for yourself and thank Him, sometimes we need that little kick to stop ourselves from feeling sorry about circumstances instead of looking upwards to God despite it all, even when answers are not forthcoming – loved the article again, I feel as if God is sending this message just for me. So Thanks