Where Is God In Our Groaning World?

By Very Revd Fr Michael Adefemi Adegbola

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is the megaphone to rouse a deaf world – C. S Lewis

The subject of pain and suffering in human existence is a tough one. The mystery and questions surrounding it, be it physical, emotional, mental, psychological or spiritual, is a baffling and a difficult one. Humanly speaking, it makes no sense why we suffer. How can we learn to accept pain and suffering without blame, anger and fear even if we cannot understand? Never has it been so obvious that we need redemption and restoration than ever. The world does not offer hope for those in despair, but God does. You may be emotionally, physically, spiritually drained and exhausted, but surrendering to God in moments of despair and under the weight of tough circumstances will give you strength to carry on (Matthew 11:28-30).
God is good and all He created is good and perfect. Christianity explains that human suffering exists, and exists as proof of our fallen state. The reality of the messy matters of human pain and suffering in the world is inevitable. – The Garden of Eden story in the Book of Genesis proves that man and woman in a world without suffering, chose against God. We too can trust God or blame Him, not ourselves for the pains and sufferings in the world.
Every mortal suffers one form of pain or the other because of our frailty and vulnerability – personality flaws, chronic addictions, a broken relationship, an unhealed childhood memory of abuse and neglect and a suffocating guilt. We see evil reign in our homes, businesses, in politics, and public places because of the absence of justice, equity and fairness. We see evil and criminality thriving because we remain silent and mute. We see poverty and sickness dragging on and sapping our people’s strength almost to the point of depression and death.
Today, we live with deep hungers within our hearts for truth, for justice, mercy, forgiveness and peace that only God can satisfy. Where then is God, we ask ourselves when we lose lives massively, and those who are precious to us die. Where is God in our natural and man-made horrors? Where is God when floods, famine, earthquake, typhoons, hurricanes and catastrophic natural disaster sweep away whole communities; when old people and retired senior citizens languished in loneliness and our children are abused, neglected and systematically brutalized. Where is God in the face of unimaginable horrors? Where is God in a world dominated by sickness and diseases – arthritis, cancer, birth defects, war, violence grinding down many souls towards despair, depression and hopelessness. Where is God when the world seems dark and unforgiving? Where is God when sin, greed and suffering seem to have triumphed over righteousness, generosity and peace? How do we account for all these miseries, pains and sufferings in the world? How do we address the grieving, groaning and questioning people?
At such times, we can only lean on the grace of God. Sometimes, hope seems irrational and pointless in suffering. Some are even tempted to think that their prayers to God for healing had gone unanswered, and are frustrated to lose faith and blame God. Even in this, there is great hope. Christians believe that no matter how bleak things look at the present, something good really does lie ahead. Wile there is much cause for shame, anger and frustration in this, there is also cause for hope, which is a wonderful virtue and requirement for a victorious Christian life.
Our experiences may seem bitter and unpalatable, the result is beneficial. God has the final say. So, let us make amends as a people where necessary for a beneficial outcome and sweet ending. Though, our times are characterized by perilous events, we are guaranteed God’s help in times of distress. So, God our helper is there; we must go to Him to fill us. Yes, God cares! He sees our plights and all our silent pains and struggles. With Him on our side, no enemy can keep us down. He promises a safe landing, and not a calm passage. As Jurgen Moltmann says: ‘God weeps with us so that we may one day laugh with Him.’

Very Revd Fr Michael Adefemi Adegbola, Vicar General, Kano Diocese, Nigeria.