Where is God when I suffer?

If God is good, why does He allow suffering here on Earth? "Where was God when my son died?" was a grieved father’s question. We all suffered more or less, and we all know to a certain extent the meaning of this word.

Yet, when we look at facts and we see innocent people injured or killed it is normal to ask "Where is God, why does He allow these horrifying events?"

This is one possible answer as to why inexplicable sorrow occurs: it is the case of Job; a man with the highest moral standards and faithful to God, so faithful that God Himself gave him as an example : "… the LORD asked, "What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil."

"Why shouldn't he respect you?" Satan remarked. "You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere. Try taking away everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face."

The LORD replied, "All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don't harm Job."

As you might already know, God allowed Satan to bring all kind of misfortunes and disasters into Job’s life: in one single day he lost all his fortune, all his children, picture the scene: "… someone rushed up to Job and said, "While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass, a gang of Sabeans attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I was the only one who escaped to tell you." That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running up and saying, "God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, "Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you." That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, "Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son, when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God and said: "We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The LORD alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the LORD!"

I don’t know about you… but my first question if I had been Job would have been:" Why? Oh, Why me? What have I done to deserve this?"

As if these had not been enough, here comes Satan again : … the LORD asked, "What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him - he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil. And he hasn't changed, even though you persuaded me to destroy him for no reason."

Satan answered, "There's no pain like your own. People will do anything to stay alive. Try striking Job's own body with pain, and he will curse you to your face." "All right!" the LORD replied. "Make Job suffer as much as you want, but just don't kill him." Satan left and caused painful sores to break out all over Job's body from head to toe."

How did Job react? "Then Job sat on the ash-heap to show his sorrow. And while he was scraping his sores with a broken piece of pottery, his wife asked, "Why do you still trust God? Why don't you curse him and die?"

Job replied, "Don't talk like a fool! If we accept blessings from God, we must accept trouble as well." In all that happened, Job never once said anything against God."(Excerpts taken from Job 1 and 2.)

I don’t know if you had gone through a greater pain than Job’s. I haven’t, I don’t know if I ever will, God knows, yet, after serving God you’d expect God to act accordingly, as a friend! Yet apparently God doesn't seem to be very friendly to Job now, does He?

Yes God delivers His people out of all evil circumstances; He also gave Job back twice his fortune and 10 more children.

Don’t lose your hope if you go through hardships , "be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord's followers are suffering just as you are. But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That's why he appointed Christ Jesus to choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm. God will be in control forever! Amen" 1 Peter 5:8-11

Where is God when you suffer? He is in the same place where HE was when His Son Jesus Christ was dying. No circumstance (good or bad) lasts forever, not even yours! Keep that in mind.