Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

“What’s going on?”

“Why isn’t God answering my prayers?”

“How can a loving God let this happen?”

Even mature Christians, those with strong faith, ask those questions from time to time. We may believe with all our hearts that God has a loving plan for each of His children, but when deceit, destruction, and death come into our lives, we can’t see how they fit into such a pattern.

How can we accept that painful experiences are merely the dark threads in a beautiful tapestry woven for our benefit?

We can try to make sense of it by comparing ourselves to little children who are incapable of understanding why loving parents would make them take evil-tasting medicine or endure painful medical treatments.

They are usually reassured that their fathers and mothers are acting for their good and that they will understand and thank them, one day.

We hope and pray that understanding and thanksgiving will be true for us, as well. And the sooner, the better.

In some situations we may be more like beloved pets who fight against necessary visits to the vet. Even those who require life-saving treatments will sometimes struggle to bite the doctor’s healing hands. The pet may be restored to health and never have the slightest inkling of why it went through painful procedures.

We may never understand the chaos of this past year, not until we see our Savior face to face and hear His words of love and life.

It isn’t necessary for a suffering child or a wounded pet to understand the science behind their treatments, or how the healing process works. However, to get the best results from the process, it is necessary for them to stop resisting and trust.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
⁸ It will be healing to your flesh
    and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8