Reading some of the posts on different websites - there are a lot of Christians who are angry and confused. Hey I don't blame them. I am equally as confused and tremble at the thought of how much more we have to endure. Whether it be spiritually, mentally or physically. I fell out with God once during a particularly dark period of my life. I was so ANGRY with Him. Man did He teach me a lesson in humility !! Haha. I can laugh now but it was pretty grim at the time. You see, I wasn't walking with Him properly but expected Him to swaddle me in comfort. When I say "Not walking with Him properly" I don't mean outright sinful behaviour, but I was not paying enough attention - doing the Bible study I do now etc. I had not realised and recognised my role as a watchman/woman. I needed to be humbled in order to sit up and take notice. PROPER notice. Once I "got it", things eased off and I have been blessed in so many ways - regardless of any transgressions I commit. Knowingly or unknowingly. Mostly knowingly !! It does NOT pay to fall out with God.
I take great inspiration from the Book of Job. We, as Bible believing Christians, are being constantly accused by satan. He challenges God. "Take them way out of their comfort zone, and I bet they will lose their faith and trust in you" - is what satan says to God. We are living proof of utmost fidelity to Almighty God. As confused and freaked out as we are, we intrinsically know that He has it under His control and that these horrific things simply have to happen. We prove satan wrong. Which is what Almighty God needs from us - no matter how dark it gets. Job kept talking to God, throughout his afflictions. He never lost his faith - as confused as he was. We current day believers have the benefit of Job's experiences, through scripture. We have an advantage that Job never had. So, while God castigated Job's chums for dishing out platitudes, He commended Job.
The bottom line is that we accept what we have to accept. This life ain't an easy ride. Questioning Almighty God is acceptable - human. Ranting and railing and shaking our fists at Him is NOT acceptable. Not if we purport to love and trust Him. Evil is a necessary evil - if you get my drift. We have been gifted so very much with the Holy Spirit. Hence our faith. Our KNOWING. There are not a lot of human's who have been given this gift. Do the math ! Therefore, much is expected from us.
Luke 12:48 "But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment, will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded: and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked".
We have been gifted our faith. Drawing strength from the Holy Spirit is another. We have the guidance of scripture. Job didn't. Goodness knows how much more we have to witness. Goodness knows how much more our Middle Eastern brothers and sisters have to endure. It's really, really hard.
Maranatha, LORD Jesus. We desperately need you. The world - Your creation - desperately needs you. We cry out to You. PLEASE hear our prayers.