If There Really Is a God...

As a believer, I cringe inside everytime I hear, "If there really is a God how could He allow this to happen? A loving God would never allow this! There can't be a God!" I've heard people recite these statements so much that it is basically fill-in-the-blank rhetoric that they feel justifies their lack of belief.

If there really is a God, how could ____________ happen?

• the Tsunami, and all of those victims


• earthquakes, volcanos, tornados, hurricanes,torrential flooding


• September 11th


• terrorists around the world


• the death of a child


• the death of anyone, that we think has died too soon


• wars around the world


• unemployment


• poverty


• hunger in the world


• sickness, disease and suffering

The list could be endless! I assume you probably wish you could provide an answer that would seem satisfactory to a non-believer. I know I do! It takes faith in Him to believe His Word, and that is what we have to stand on as believers for answers to these and all other questions. God is SO real, His Word is alive with Spirit and truth - how do I even begin to convey that concept to a non believer as a foundation for the infallible sovereignty of God?

One thing that man also has to realize is that we exercise free-will in everything, and that plays a large role in the route different situations take to get to God's means. God's will and His purpose always prevails, but we could choose to take the long hard rocky path instead of the shorter path because of our own stubborness, selfishness or unbelief.

For my own soul soothing I refer to several old standby scriptures that leave no room for doubt that He is in control over EVERYTHING:

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16: 9

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

"What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not all all! For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion" It does not, therefore, depend on man's dsire or effort, but on God's mercy, For the Scriputure says to Pharoah: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaim in all the earth."

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55: 8,9

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding." Job 37: 5

The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in His justice and great righteousness, He does not oppress. Therefore, men revere Him, for does He not have regard for all the wise in heart? Job 37:23, 24

These scriptures answer as adequately as I can understand in my flesh, in faith, that God is control, no matter what. Whether I like what happens or not, whether it is a tragedy to me in my humaness, in His sovereignty I have to trust that all is working out the way He has planned - for a purpose - maybe for my learning, my spiritual growth or perhaps soley to glorify Him. As scriptures indicate, it could be other reasons I'll never, ever know or understand.

As a believer, in faith, I believe and find comfort in His Holy Word. I wish there was a way I could express to non-believers this concept- but it requires a certain measure of faith to believe and blindly accept His sovereignty. Any suggestions?

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