trbccoffeebreak

“Who but a fool would make his own god—an idol that cannot help him one bit? Isaiah 44:10 (NLT)

Recently, I heard of a mother who suffered the loss of her daughter due to a drug overdose. Having lost my son in a motorcycle accident several years back, my heart went out to her. I can relate to her grief. I recall the initial shock and disbelief, followed by a whole range of wild emotions that knocked me off my feet temporarily. Then, as a child of God, I went running to Him. I’ll always be grateful for the healing and peace He brought to my heart in the midst of my crisis.

But this mother was not a believer. She didn’t know God personally or understand His ways. In her agony, her reaction was to say that God doesn’t exist, because if He did, He wouldn’t have allowed her beautiful daughter to die so young.

Haven’t you heard other people in crisis deny God’s existence? Their lives were thrown into turmoil, and if God existed, so they say, He wouldn’t have allowed that to happen.

I can’t imagine going through a tragedy like a child’s death without God. I can’t imagine the emotional devastation of such a loss, with no anchor to cling to, no comfort from a loving, all-powerful God. And no hope of ever seeing that child again in heaven.

So, if I could speak to her personally, what would I say?

I would say this: The god in your mind—the god who “owes” us —the god who shouldn’t allow disaster or hardship—the god who should give us everything we want if we’re good—the god who should let us do anything we feel like without consequences—you’re right. He doesn’t exist. He’s only a shadow in your imagination. He’s the equivalent of the idols created by human hands and worshipped as if they were real. He’s dead. Lifeless. Useless.

But there is a God who is alive.

He’s the God who created the universe, who created you and me. In His love, He gave us the Bible to guide us safely through life. He loves us so much that He gave up His son to lift us out of our sin. He’s faithful to be with those who trust Him through trials and temptations. He provides and protects. That God is very much alive and well.

He wants you to get to know Him as He is, not as you wish Him to be. You’ll find out He’s much better than any god you can invent in your mind.

That’s what I would say to that grieving mom. I pray she finds Him.

“Heavenly Father, we want to know You as You are, without being blinded by our own ignorance or wishful thinking. As we search the scriptures and spend time in prayer, please open our eyes and reveal Yourself to us just as You are.”

For His Glory

Cherie Harbridge Williams
TRBC Women’s Life