Well, God did it again. He spared the armpit of Florida by sending Hurricane Dorian away. Jacksonville barely got wind much less rain. I wish I could say the same for the Bahamas. It’s at times like this that we ask the question, why? It’s not like Jacksonville is a particularly Christian city. In fact, in the first six months of 2019, there have been seventy-five homicides.
So why would God spare us and not the small islands of the Bahamas? The easy answer is I don’t know.
It’s the same response you get when someone dies of cancer while another person survives. I’ve always questioned the tendency Christians have to say it’s God’s plan. But what if it’s not? Could it be Satan’s plan instead in the hopes we turn away from God?
Again, I don’t know.
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Suffering can refine us rather than destroy us because God himself walks with us in the fire. – Timothy Keller, Author
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You might be asking, why is it God doesn’t stop our suffering. And like I stated earlier, I don’t know. Yes, I’m full of answers today.
But I’ll tell you something I do know. God is always there during your suffering. Psalm 46:1-3 tells us God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. He is a constant in a world of change.
You need to trust God during your pain and suffering. It’s the only way to get through. In the end, whether in this world or the next, you will have peace. Turn to Him in times of trials and heartache. I guarantee He will be there with you.
To give to Hurricane Dorian relief, visit: https://www.umcmission.org/umcor
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please leave me a comment below, and I’ll be happy to pray for the situation.
