Seeking God in the Midst of Suffering

How often do we experience pain, loneliness, sorrow, and the deep emotion of emptiness?  Thomas Merton said one could go into the desert to find solace only to realize it is in the connection with people that we actually find these attributes and their explanation to all these critical traits.

If we are experiencing pain due to physical or emotional trauma, the prescription might be reaching out to God and allowing him to fill that loneliness.  He alone can become the means to become that comfort which is so much needed. 

When a tragedy occurs by the death of a relative or close friend, a path to healing could come through the presence of the Lord filling in the extreme emptiness that no one else seems able to fit.  It can become difficult to replace that loved one’s presence, but when you are alone with only thoughts of their closeness, God is the only means of filling in that extreme emptiness.

As the presence of our latest plague, Covid-19 and now newer attacks of Covid’s, the need to reach some understanding of what is occurring on our planet becomes further away from the brightest minds in science.  

If we read Genesis Chapter 3, it is easy to ascertain the Fall of Man came about through Sin.  Read on throughout the Old Testament and realize God had set upon a plan to redeem us and place the sin of mankind on a tree and forever wipe away the punishment for all eternity.  

 Listen to the words in 2nd Chronicles: “if my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land.” ,,(2 Chr. 7: 14). 

How many times do these words need to be reread, reheard, and relived until mankind takes to heart that if the people in this 21st century do not put into practice the very spiritual meaning, this Covid - 19 may continue on its deadly course.  Of course we have our hope in the scientists who are diligently searching for a cure.  Where do they get their intelligence and what unseen power is the impetus for their success?  The Holy Spirit!

Does all this seem too simple?  With God nothing is impossible.  People, turn to God.

Ralph B. Hathaway, Winter 2021