Hard Questions Pt. 2

     The first part of this series discussed the hard question, "Why would God let bad things happen?" I highlighted that God doesn't cause bad things to happen to us, but He does use those things to grow us. I want to continue that today. Continuing to ask questions and seek God is good and deepens our relationships with Him.

    There is evil in the world. It is sad, but it is the truth. God knew that He would send His son to die on the cross and that people would reject that gift. I think it's easy to look at a hard question like this and ask, "Why wouldn't God save _____." Why wouldn't God heal my hurting and sick family member? Why would God allow that person to leave us? Why would God let someone get cancer? Deep down, no matter how hard we try to conceal it, these questions and doubts from the devil try to swarm our minds and our hearts every day. 

    I went on a mission trip to Jamaica last week, and it encouraged me to continue to process this question. As I was walking through Jamaica, I also found myself asking the same question. "Why would God let these people go through this?" Ultimately, I don't think we will fully know the answers on this side of Heaven, but we can still seek God and His guidance through our questions. 

    There is a massive tree called a Sequoia tree. The reproduction cycle of these trees is so interesting. Sequoia trees reproduce by fire. Yes, you heard that right, by fire. A large population of these trees are located where wildfires tend to break out. Scientists have been studying these trees for years, and what they have found is that they produce more seeds in high-intensity fires versus low-intensity fires. I found this fascinating. I have always thought of fire as destroying and killing because that is the case for most things it comes into contact with. These trees require fire to create and produce new seeds. 

    We can learn a lot about faith through Sequoia trees. We will never have the answers for everything we go through. There is pain, hurt, and evil in this world that does not come from God. God's intentions when He created this earth were good. He didn't make the earth with sin; humanity decided to sin. This leads me to conclude that these things in our lives we are facing that hurt and that we don't understand aren't from God, but they stem from the evil in the world. So often, we look for an explanation. We want to know why something happens. In a way, we want to blame someone or something for what we are going through. 

    "Don't blame the light for the darkness you are in." This hit me hard while I was in Jamaica because I saw how I tried to question and blame God for the evil in this world. but in reality, nothing but the light is from Him. All the darkness and the painful things in this world are simply because the world is full of sin. Although there is sin, we can be comforted in the knowledge that our father never leaves us to walk through the fire or darkness alone.

    Strong faith is often exercised through strong trials. We can't run away or escape hurt, but in the midst, there is God. No matter what we are going through, we can still choose to have faith and allow God to work in our situations. 

    "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

    "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10