Trying to Make Sense of it All

Probably the biggest struggle believers face is trying to understand why a perfect, gracious, loving, merciful, everlasting, all-powerful, all-knowing God of all creation would allow His people to experience pain, suffering, hurt and broken-heartedness. Once again, this question comes to mind as one of the men on my ministry team, my friend, Matt Hall and his wife Katie have learned that their unborn child is now in Heaven--depriving them of the joy of raising their child here on earth. What makes this even more painful is that this is the second time this has happened to Matt and Katie--a husband and wife who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.

At times like these, words often fall woefully short of providing comfort and hope. The prayers and encouragement of friends and fellow believers do help, but they can't dry the tears. Verses like Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 29:11 and Hebrews 4:15 are reminders of the love, care and hope we have in Christ, yet the pain is still all too real. While I can't begin to know or understand what our Heavenly Father's plan is in this or any other painful situation, I do find great encouragement and strength in the way His people respond to their suffering. Being able to praise Him during the storms of life provides hope to others who face their own difficulties.

In her personal blog, http://www.katielynnhall.blogspot.com/ Katie shares the wide range of emotions she's feeling: sadness, grief, confusion, anger, disappointment, defeat along with this powerful thought: "So I'm clenching tightly to something else..securing my grip on something that has and always will have me in the center of Grace and perfect and unending love." Matt posted this quote on Facebook from Francios Fenelon, which I know reflects his heart: "No one has ever developed a deep level of spirituality or holiness without experiencing a great deal of suffering. When a person who suffers reaches a point where he can be calm and carefree, inwardly smiling at his own suffering, and no longer asking God to be delivered from it, then the suffering has accomplished its blessed ministry, perseverance has finished its work."

Thank you, Matt and Katie for your powerful testimony and your faithfulness to the One who sustains us!