Hope in the Dark

“Why, God?”  Have you ever struggled with these words?

Why God did you not heal my friend from cancer?  Why God did my baby’s heartbeat stop?  Why God did you not do what I hoped you would do in my marriage?  Maybe you have your own “Why God” question.

In Craig Groeschel’s new book, *Hope in the Dark, he addresses some of these tough questions. Honestly, I read this book in one day; it was so good that I literally could not put it down.  If you are in the middle of a heartbreaking circumstance and struggling with questions and doubts, I recommend reading this book.  It will give you hope and a new perspective.

Listen to what Craig shares in his book, “You can doubt, question, and even struggle in your faith.  But instead of finding that the questions distance you from the heart of God, you will discover something else, something much better.  Honest questions, sincere doubt, and deep hurts can draw you closer to God than you’ve ever been before.”

Could our questions and doubts help strengthen our faith? Could our broken hearts and hurts deepen our dependence on God?

My three greatest heartbreaks: my miscarriage, my divorce and my friend’s death literally brought me to my knees.  Crying out to God for answers and comfort, He met me in the middle of my pain and hurt.  I know He wants to do the same for you too.   

You may be thinking, but what about the questions that keep flooding my mind? Why God did you not heal my loved one?  Why God did you perform a miracle for another family?  Doesn’t God care about what happens to my family and friends?  I have asked myself these exact questions when my good friend, Jeannie, passed.  So many people were praying; I did not understand why God did not perform a miracle like I knew He could.  

Craig shares two stories in his book: one the family gets the miracle and the other has the family planning a funeral.  He says this profound truth, “Some might ask why God was with the first family and not with the second.  I hope you can see that God was with them both- simply in different ways. For the first family, God was with them as healer.  For the second, He was with them as comforter.  Though they experienced one of life deepest losses, they also experienced one of life’s deepest measures of God’s grace.  He was there for them every moment of every painful day.”

Friends, this was so eye-opening for me. God was with both families; one as a healer and one as a comforter.  I know we would rather choose God as the healer if we were writing our stories.  But now that I have walked three times with God as my comforter, I can confidently say that He is faithful.  Not only will He comfort you but He will strengthen you and daily walk alongside you.

I believe that the hardest times in your life will be the most growing times in your faith. 

Friends, don’t let your questions and doubts push you away, but instead let them draw you closer and strengthen your faith. Cling to the verse in Psalms 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.”  Remember He has not forgotten you! He wants to wrap His loving arms around you to sustain you.   

Praying over you today this quote from the book. As you “wrestle with God, questioning him and yet trusting that He is good, that He will use everything to achieve his purposes and He will bring you out- stronger, better and closer to Him than ever before.”  

Love, Jodi

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