When the sun is shining and everyone is happy, it's easy for Christians to heave sighs of contentment and say, "God is in control."
But when the storm clouds roll in, covering the sun and pouring sorrow, pain, and loss down on us, our true faith is tested. Suddenly we begin praying more, reading our Bible, asking others to pray for us. Songs and verses we've sung or read all our life take on whole new meanings when we see them in a completely different light.
Just a few days ago, one of my Christian friends who had just found out in April that she was pregnant, went into her doctor for an ultrasound and had her worst fears revealed: the precious life she had been wanting so badly to bring into this world had been taken to heaven instead. There was no baby, no heartbeat.
When I heard about this happening, my first reaction was anger, and I immediately asked God "why?". I demanded answers for thousands of other questions which also stormed through my mind. By taking that precious life before it came into our world, He had thrown not only the young parents-to-be into deep sorrow, but also the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and church family. Wouldn't it have been so easy for Him to let it live and keep everyone happy?
But we don't understand. God is God, and He knows best, even when we think WE do. He IS in control, no matter what the circumstances.
Despite the sorrow, the anger, the tears...God knew what He was doing, and He did it (believe it or not) for our best.
But even when we know this-even when we understand that we can never comprehend God, and that He always knows best-it doesn't mean we don't feel the hurt, the pain that accompanies such a loss. We still cry, we still ask "why?"
But there is an answer to why God allows pain and sorrow into our life: it brings us closer to Him. The trails we go through can make us better Christians if we let it, and it helps us help others when they go through the same loss we did.
I'm sorry for giving you such a sad post, but sometimes we need this reminder. Let me end on a happier note:
God is in control
He loves us no matter what
He knows what He's doing, even if we don't
Whatever He does is for our best
God bless you all.
That's got to be hard! I'll be praying for her family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder in this post that God knows what is best; it's one we all to often forget!
What a powerful and true post! Thanks for writing this!
ReplyDeleteMay I share it on one of my blogs?
Sure! :)
DeleteThank you, Rebekah, for sharing your pain and sorrow. My prayers are with the young parents. I'm very sorry to hear that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder. You're right, the hard times are the times we need to trust in God the most. <3
You're all very welcome. And I'll let her and her husband know your prayers are with them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this reminder Rebekah, we all need a refresher that God is in control and will do HIS will good and bad.
ReplyDeleteAs the verse says:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4
~Skylar
Amen!
DeleteI know such things can be very hard to understand. We have a sweet family in church and the mom was expecting. They found out that their precious baby girl had a very serious heart problem and would probably only live a few hours. They lost their sweet little one very shortly after a full term pregnancy, and, though I'm sure their hearts were breaking, they have remained so sweet and strong in their faith. God will give grace in such times. I heard someone say, "God must have loved my baby so much that He just couldn't wait to bring it Home."
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for this family.
Thank you so much for the encouragement AND the prayers for the family.
DeleteThank you Rebekah. Your post brought me to tears (as everything does about my baby). This is actually the first trial I haven't asked God "why" about. I love my baby too much to wish anything but God's best had happened to it. He is so gracious to allow it to be in His safe arms without having to experience pain first. I can't wait to get to heaven and meet my little one, but until then I know it is well taken care of. :) Love you!!
ReplyDeleteI love you too Madi!
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