on suffering

So last night, I was reading Piper's Desiring God, the chapter on suffering (ironic, because of reasons). So I'm going to share my thoughts on suffering. 

Sometimes, I have to return to Psalm 22. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of y groaning? Because sometimes, it feels that rough. 

I think that God tells us that His ways are higher than our ways for a reason. Because truly, they are. 

They must be, if any of this crazy faith is going to make sense. 

Because when we suffer, when I suffer, I can't understand it. When others suffer, other good and loving people, suffer unspeakable horrors, I can't wrap my head around it. Why God, why have you forsaken them? I think that's one of the most challenging parts of this faith-believing that God will not only be there on the other side of the hurt, but that he will be with us in the hurt, for every tear and every pain ridden step. And when we're outside of hurt, of suffering, it's easier to say that we believe this. But what happens when suffering strikes? When cancer seeps in, when hearts stop beating? How can we look up to the God, whose name is Love, and understand His good will in it?

We can't. And we aren't meant to. Because his ways are higher than our ways, his thoughts higher than ours. And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). This is what we have to believe. This is what I have to believe. 

I'm sorry if this post seems pointless, or lacking a conclusion. So I offer this: trust in His promise, that he will work all things together for the good of those who love him. Even the suffering, even those days when it feels like you can't, trust in Him (the all-powerful, unchangeable, good and gracious God).

-k e l l y n