Trials And Suffering Can Distort Our Perception Of God If We Allow It.

How do you perceive God when you encounter challenges and suffering?

Trials, tribulations, and suffering can profoundly affect how we view God. These challenging experiences often create a lens through which we see the divine, sometimes enhancing our understanding and other times impairing it. Today, I read a heartfelt reflection by Elie Wiesel from his book “Night,” in which he poignantly shares his experiences during the Holocaust. His words are a powerful reminder of the difficulties many people go through and the profound effects those hardships can have on our spiritual journey.

Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under the silent sky. Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes. (p. 68)

As I read these words, I began to cry. Eli’s image of God became hazy, distorted by his situation. I knew what Eli was experiencing. Though I haven’t endured the horror he went through, I was no stranger to pain and suffering.

My view of God had been impacted by the anguish of losing my father 25 years ago and my struggle to see God’s healing. I viewed Him as a distant and unloving, and I responded with anger, choosing to ignore His existence. Exhausted from my struggles, I boldly cried out to God one day, asking Him to reveal Himself to me. Even though I didn’t see Him or witness any miraculous signs, I discovered a side of God I had never known before as I surrendered and immersed myself in His Word.

We often develop a distorted view of God when trials and suffering occur. We may perceive Him as non-existent, unloving, distant, and unkind. However, when we truly know Who God is through His Word, we can face our trials with confidence, knowing that He will never leave us or forsake us. Even when we are unfaithful, God remains steadfast and unchanging. He is eternal, merciful, loving, truthful, kind, forgiving, and sovereign. In order to save, redeem, and restore us, He took on human form because He loved us so deeply. Through Jesus—Immanuel, God with us—God made Himself known.

Beloved, trials and suffering will come as we walk in this fallen world, but let us focus on Jesus and view God through His Word, not our circumstances. We should seek Him out and ask for His wisdom in our circumstances. Spend time talking with Him. Ask God what’s going on. What should you do in this situation? Learn to trust Him. God has a plan, and you have a choice as to how you will respond. Believe that He will work things out for your good and His glory (Romans 8:28). And never forget that God loves you. Everything changes when we know that He loves us.

Prayer

Father, I thank You for Your unwavering love. You have always been there for me, and I am grateful You never gave up on me. I trust that You will continue to reveal Yourself to me and to all who seek You through Your Word. Help us to steadfastly keep our focus on You, no matter our circumstances. I will treasure Your Word in my heart to avoid sinning against You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reference

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.

Wiesel, E. (1960/2006). Night. New York: Hill and Wang.