The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29

Having struggled personally with infertility, I’ve never been able to figure out why some women get pregnant almost by accident, while others, who often desperately want children, suffer multiple miscarriages, searing pain and disappointment. If we study the scriptures trying to answer the “why” of pain and injustice, we can throw up our hands and conclude that there just is no explanation this side of heaven.

Has God left us ill-equipped to wrestle with anguish? If God outlined “reasons” in detail, would we even understand them? God does address our questions to an extent, through stories of those in scripture who suffered greatly and asked the same questions we ask. We can read about Job.  God called Job righteous and yet he lost everything, including all of his children, in a natural disaster.

Job understood that God is in control of the universe, and therefore must have the power to protect our children. He asked God, “why?” But God didn’t explain Himself in the way any parent would hope. At the same time, God didn’t belittle Job for his human understanding, but instead invited Job to trust in the sovereignty of His plans. Ultimately, God provided Job with comfort in his sorrow.

Even without explanations, we are invited to trust and find comfort in God. The Bible says that He is the “God of all hope.” (Romans 15:13). If you’re fixated on finding satisfying reasons, maybe it’s time to turn your attention to His offer of comfort.

 

Resource reading: Job 39:26-30