Pain, Peace, Prayer, Seeing Clearly, Words of Endurance

O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
PSALM 13:1-3 (NLT)



Sound familiar? King David’s desperate cry to God is echoed by many of us who find it difficult to see clearly in the midst of our suffering. God may seem far away – we may feel forgotten by Him – and we may feel as if we will die from the overwhelming grief in our hearts.



Where do we turn for help when we are feeling any of the above? King David’s relationship with God was such that when he could not see clearly and found himself confused, lonely and hurt – he cried out and questioned God …



Lord, why are you standing aloof and far away?
Why do you hide when I need you the most?
PSALM 10:1 (LB)



The prophet Elijah once found himself in such a bad place (1 Kings 19:1-18) that he cried out to God …



“I’ve had enough, … take away my life.
I’ve got to die sometime, and it might as well be now.”
1 KINGS 19:4 (LB)



And wretched, impoverished, grieving Job said that if he could talk to God …



I would tell him all
about my side of this argument,
and listen to his reply,
and understand what he wants.
JOB 23:4-5 (LB)



When we are overwhelmed by pain – when our circumstances scream, “This makes no sense!” many of us want the same thing – an audience with God –a one-on-one Q & A with God. We want relief. If we can’t escape the pain we at least want some kind of an explanation. When we have to endure what seems unendurable we want the comfort of knowing that God sees clearly and still holds our future in His able hands.



God responded to David, Elijah and Job – not necessarily in the way they expected or what they would have liked to hear – but His response enabled them to see and understand their circumstances more clearly.



So what about us: What if we could have a one-on-one conversation with God? What if we could ask our Creator some of our troublesome questions? How might He respond?



Over the next several weeks we will ask some of the questions we frequently ask of God when we are suffering and we can’t see or understand our circumstances clearly. For God’s response we went to the Bible – the Word of God – to see if He had already addressed those questions for us. We think what we found will amaze you and will open your eyes to help you see more clearly which will help you endure and find peace in whatever circumstances you face.



Lord, you know the hopes of humble people.
Surely you will hear their cries
and comfort their hearts
by helping them.
PSALM 10:17 (LB)



On the journey with you,
Jan & Dave Dravecky

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