Distress

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Last night I dreamed that Bewey had died and I was going to her funeral. I was so sad! I am worried about her.

Also last night a good friend of mine called and told me some of the things she has been dealing with recently in her life and marriage. I was left feeling deeply for her and her husband. Good, God fearing people... Why does God let such terrible things happen? It is so hard to understand, even though I accept it and know that He is good. My human understanding is so limited and my faith is still growing... I look at this situation and others and my immediate response is to put the responsibility for it on God. He is the one in control, isn't he? He is the one with the power and ability to make things different, isn't He? So WHY doesn't He?? It makes no sense to me on an emotional level.

If I told people in the church the way I feel, many of them would say... Well, it's because of SIN... Sin has corrupted the world and we suffer the consequences of it. Or... It'll all work out for good in the end for those who believe... Or... You don't know what God's got in store, He will probably use those people in incredible ways for His Purposes... Or... God doesn't give us more than we can stand....

...All of which may be true, but it seems to me it is also true that SUFFERING, true suffering shouldn't be answered in that way. And I get frustrated by those kinds of responses. It literally makes me want to grab those people by the shirt and shake them... and ask, "Have you ever been in so much PAIN that you just wanted it to end??? Then HOW can that be helpful RIGHT NOW??"

I hate that my dear friend is suffering that way, right now.