I Don’t Understand, But I Believe!

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

And when I look at the world in which we live, I see similar things. Headlines that read

• 6 brothers arrested for molesting NC girl over decade
• Teen arrested after 5 shot near Atlanta high school
• Mom in custody after stabbing 7-year-old, police say
• Hundreds trapped underground after explosion, fire at Turkish coal mine
• Pastor awaiting trial for sex abuse found dead
• Coach allegedly stole $950 from players’ wallets

And I don’t understand all over again.

I Don’t Understand

I don’t understand why God continues to allow war and hate and the destruction of the helpless.

I don’t understand why tornadoes and fires and floods destroy neighborhoods and take lives.

I don’t understand why young women are stolen from their homes and schools and sold into slavery.

I don’t understand why some die too young and others are left to suffer far too long. 

I don’t understand the pain and suffering that happens.

I don’t understand why some days are so hard. 

I don’t understand, and I never will. But then I don’t have to. 

But I Believe

Because I believe in God, the creator of the universe. I believe He is a sovereign, holy, and just God. I believe He continues to play an active role in the universe He created. 

And although not everything I see looks like God’s love in action, I believe His Son when He says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

I imagine you have some of the same frustrations and anxieties I do. You likely don’t really understand the ugliness in this world either. 

But we can take heart and hold onto hope because our God, the great I AM, promises to remain with us …

…and He understands for us.

We may not understand, but in faith we can believe the promises of the One who does. 

We may not understand, but in faith we can believe the promises of the One who does. Click To Tweet

Click on the prayer to download your own copy!

Dear Father God, I shudder at the horrible headlines found in the daily news. I know we are a sinful people, but I don’t really understand why you continue to allow such pain and suffering. I don’t understand all your ways, Lord, but I believe in You. More importantly, though, I believe your words of truth. Please forgive any unbelief I do have. With the help of the Holy Spirit I will defer to your understanding and wait on your perfect timing for the end to all evil. Thank you, Father, for the love and life you freely offer me. To your name be all glory and honor. In Jesus’s precious name, Amen.

Reflections: In what circumstances do you struggle the most with believing God’s promises? 

Linking with: