Human beings are not some sort of Divine experiment in which God looks down at us, like we do lab rats, checking out how we will respond to certain situations. God knows us better than we know ourselves. If anyone is to learn anything, it should be us. Trials can both build and reveal character. Going through trial, whether it be a bad marriage or a terrible hurricane, can reveal to us how much work we have to do on our own character if we are open to being taught by it. "Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:2-3).
Rather than being a Divine experiment, God intimately participates in the process of making us NEW! He became flesh, and all that that means; something we do not fully appreciate. He knows what it is like to be human because He became human. He knows what it is to suffer because He did suffer as a human being. He know what it is to deal with temptation, because He dealt with real temptation as a human being. Let no one say, "God, you do not understand what it is like to be human," because He does!!! God has not insulated Himself from the pain of human experience. When we go through tragedy and disaster we know He feels our pain!! "For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16).
While we are grieving it is natural to be angry with God. I have encouraged many grievers to have an angry talk with God. God is God; He can take it. But why does it have to be this way? I do not have all the answers for that, but I do know that God experiences our pain too. We are not alone in this! His Spirit will walk along beside us and give us comfort if we will let Him.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
*Part 4 of a series.
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